Flora of Ashdown Forest - Botanical Society of the British Isles

Myosotis secunda (M. repens). Creeping forget-me-not.Ashdown Forest, between Forest Row and Crowborough, W. W. Reeves (Arnold1887). )n a bog south 01 Coleman's Hatch (Done 1914). Quabrook Common, E.Forster; Ashdown Forest between Forest Row and Crow borough, abundant, W. W.3 -++-----cil-----'-+_Reeves (Wolley-Dod 1937). Tetrads 42T, 43K and 43L (Hall 1980).A distinctive plant, quite characteristic of acidic pond margins and iron flushes,4 5which is tolerant of iron compounds produced under anaerobic conditions which arenormally toxic to plants. It is typical of quaking areas between the alder stumps as atNewbridge (455.324)' and also abundant round some shaded ponds, as atPippinglord Park (446.312). Grime et al. (1988) note that it olten replaces M.scorpioides by acidic and nutrient-poor water.A very uncommon plant of the Weald in Sussex (Hall 1980) and Kent, but perhaps overlooked? Morefrequent in North and west Britain, and in western Europe, Azores and Madeira.143Myosotis laxa (M. caespitosa). Tufted forget-me-not.Occasional on the Forest (Hall 1980).This small-flowered water forget-me-not is recorded occasionally in open flushesand ditches around the Forest. It is an annual or biennial and tends to occur onnutrient-rich mud in disturbed places.Frequent in marshes and wet places in Sussex, especially on the TunbridgeWells Sands, and widespread in Britain. Widespread in Europe, but rare in the south,Asia and North Africa.4 5*Myosotis sylvatica. Wood forget-me-not.Tetrads 43A, 43R and 43V (Hall 1980). Tetrads 43M and 43W (Briggs 1990).Widely grown 'In gardens, and most of our records are associated with thevillages and obvious garden escapes. It is possibly native in some woodland sites,3 -f-t-------'"'!Jand can be found in the alluvial woodlands on damp but not wet soils.Occasional in Sussex and accepted as native by Hall (1980) where it may benative in alluvial woodlands along the Rother, on Weald Clay and in old woodlandsnear Horsham (FR, pers. comm. 1996) but also an escape from cultivation. It is4 5certainly native in woodlands in mid and northern England, but is widespread as anintroduction and is increasing elsewhere (Rich & Woodruff 1996). Widespread inEurope except the south-west and the north.Myosotis arvensis. Field forget-me-not.Common on the Forest (Hall 1980).Scattered on shaded woodland rides, in gardens and in the villages, in a fewarable fields, and on roadsides around the Forest. It is an annual and occurs in openhabitats on mildly acidic to calcareous soils (pH> 5). It varies in size depending on3the environment and time of germination.Very common in Sussex and lowland Br·lta·ln. Throughout Europe, and intemperate Asia and North Africa.4 5Myosotis discolor. Changing forget-me-not.Tetrads 43K and 43M (Hall 1980).Scattered around the Forest on the sandier tracks, bare open areas andsometimes on waste gr?und. It is often found in surprisingly damp places.Scattered in Sussex mostly on coastal beaches as it is in Hampshire, in dry open3 -++---..---'+--- places and on walls. Widespread in Britain, and mainly western in Europe.4 5