Pulsatilla vulgaris (L.) Mill. - Plantlife

the flowering period. In the past many flowers were traditionally gathered at Easter, although
this activity it is much less common today. However, in 2006 around 70 plants were illegally
removed (M. Gurney, pers. comm.).
Deacon Hill (SSSI)
Since 1960 small numbers of Pulsatilla have been recorded sporadically from several localities
in the vicinity of Deacon Hill on steep, SW to NW-facing chalk downland slopes and spurs: (1)
the NE slope of Barn Hole (TL119294); (2) narrow spur adjacent to Pegsdon Firs (TL121297);
(3) combe NE of Pegsdon Firs (TL123296); and (4) the celtic field system below Deacon Hill
itself (TL12SP98). Historically the northern half of the site (Deacon Hill) has been heavily
grazed by sheep and rabbits. In contrast, grazing has been much lower in the southern half of
the reserve leading to a decline as a result of scrub encroachment and build-up of coarse
grasses from the 1950s onwards. In recent years, scrub clearance and the reintroduction of
grazing have led to an improvement in the quality of the grassland although no plants have
been found in Barn Hole despite repeated searches.
Knocking Hoe (NNR)
Between 500-1000 plants grow on the SW-facing slope of a small chalk hill (‘the Hoe’;
TL130139) in exceptionally rich calcareous turf with a number of other national rarities
(Hypochaeris maculata, Orchis ustulata, Seseli libanotis and Tephroseris integrifolia). A few
plants also occur on a Celtic field system (within a grazing exclosure) just to the east
(‘Spiranthes bank’; TL131308), and more sporadically within an abandoned exclosure on a
steep S-facing slope to the W of Tingley Wood (TL132306). It was lost from other parts of the
reserve that were ploughed for a short period in 1956 but it has not re-colonised this area.
The site was sheep grazed throughout the nineteenth century although this declined after
1931 and since then it has had periods of heavy and light grazing by sheep, rabbits and cattle
with occasional mowing and raking of cut material to maintain a tight sward. Few plants were
recorded during the 1970s due to the decline in the rabbit population and the growth of
coarse grasses (Bromopsis erectus). However, the population increased dramatically following
the introduction of mowing and the recovery of the rabbit population in the 1980s although
these caused severe localised erosion in places (e.g. Spiranthes Bank) (Bailey, 1996). The Hoe
itself is currently heavily-grazed by rabbits with additional winter sheep grazing and
management is now considered to be ideal with over 1000 flowers counted in 2005 (G.
Stevens, pers. comm.). In contrast, numbers within the two less heavily grazed exclosures
remain low due to greater competition with coarse grasses. The site receives few visitors but
there are reports of over 1000 plants being dug-up in the past (Hope-Simpson, 1948).
Ravensburgh Castle (SSSI)
In the 1960s two sub-populations were recorded from adjacent chalk slopes of an Iron Age hill
fort dating back to 400BC. The smaller of the two populations occurred immediately below
the fort on a steep W-facing slope (TL098295); the larger colony extended eastwards from a Sfacing
spur overlooking the first site (TL097296). Over 300, mainly vegetative plants were
recorded on this slope in 1981 and 30 below the hill fort (Welsh, 1983). In 1964 the grassland
was very rank but by 1980 the vegetation was very short with much bare chalk due to heavy
grazing by sheep and rabbits. It has not been grazed since and is now dense Bromopsis erectus
grassland with scattered hawthorn scrub. As a consequence, no plants have been seen on the
W-facing slope for many years and only a few plants survive on the S-facing spur where the
grassland is more exposed and the soils are very shallow.
Smithcombe Hill (SSSI)†
44