Pulsatilla vulgaris (L.) Mill. - Plantlife

In the 1960s a small population occurred in rank Bromopsis erectus grassland (CG3a)
surrounded by scattered Viburnum lantana scrub on a steep SSE-facing chalk slope. By the
1980s the scrub had become very dense and only a single vegetative rosette could be found
(Welsh, 1983). It has not been recorded since despite scrub clearance and the introduction of
goat grazing.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE (v.c.32)
Barnack Hills and Holes (NNR)
Many thousands of plants (>20,000) occur over a large area of mediaeval limestone quarry
workings where they are confined to shallow soils on S and SW-facing slopes. Grazing ceased
in 1914 and by the 1960s the grassland was very rank Bromopsis erectus-Brachypodium
pinnatum grassland with a dense layer of leaf litter. Sheep grazing (September to late-
December) was re-introduced in 1978 resulting in a dramatic increase in flowering. Monitoring
in fixed plots showed an increase from 260 in 1978 to 4,727 crowns by 2005. The entire
population is now estimated to exceed 20,000 crowns (C. Gardiner, pers. comm.). The
management is now considered ideal (Rich, 1997) and as a result P. vulgaris has spread to new
areas of the reserve where it may have established from seed (C. Gardiner, pers comm.).
Southorpe Paddock (SSSI)†
In the 1960s a small colony was recorded in rough Brachypodium pinnatum grassland. The site
has received variable amounts of grazing in the past and the last confirmed record was in
1995. In 1999 12 plants originating from Barnack seed were planted out but none survived for
more than a year (C. Gardner, pers. comm.).
Southorpe Roughs (SSSI)†
A few plants formerly occurred in rank Bromopsis erectus-Brachypodium pinnatum grassland
in an area of old quarry workings. The site was not grazed for many years and by the 1980s
plants were very difficult to locate amongst the rank grass and invading scrub. It was
apparently last seen by Franklyn Perring in 1990 (L. Farrell in litt. to T.C.E. Wells). It has not
been seen since despite the recent reintroduction of sheep grazing (2004) and tree felling to
reduce shade.
Sutton Heath†
A single flowering plant was discovered on a small ridge of limestone turf close adjacent to
Sutton Bog in 1972 (Wells, 2003) where it was seen again in 2003. The grassland shows signs of
agricultural improvement and is heavily grazed. No plants have been found since despite
repeated searches, although Astragalus danicus still occurs on the same ridge.
EAST GLOUCESTERSHIRE (v.c.33)
Barnsley Wold Warren (SSSI)
The largest population in the UK with the majority of plants occurring at high density in
exceptionally rich limestone turf on a steep (c.20º) SW-facing slope where soils are very
shallow and there is much bare soil and rubble. Small numbers of plants have also occurred
sporadically on a W-facing slope nearby. Historically the site has been heavily grazed by
sheep, cattle and horses and the vegetation burnt (‘swaled’) in February or March. This
practice was abandoned in 1971; since then the site has been grazed by sheep, at high
density, between February to March and then from June onwards. This management has
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