Flora of Ashdown Forest - Botanical Society of the British Isles

72Salix x reichardtii (S. caprea x cinerea).This hybrid is either very common or very uncommon depending on which characters areused to identify the parents and therefore the hybrid. Plants with dark reddish~brown twigsand broad, softly hairy leaves as described by Meikle (1984) are quite widespread on theForest and were recorded by TR with enthusiasm in 1993, less so in 1994, and in a more3 perplexed state in 1995.It is probably very common in Britain, and is linked to both parents by a series ofintermediates IMeikle 1984).4 5Salix x capreo/a (5. aurita x caprea).One bush recorded in heathland area away from both parents at Old Lodge le. 468.306),1994, TR & DK, and another unconfirmed one on the lane to Chestnut Farm 1447.272),1994, TR.It is occasionally recorded in Britain where the parents meet.3 -++_---'"---L+_4 5Salix cinerea subsp. oleifolia. Grey willow.Common on the Forest IHall 1980).We have recorded it in every square. It occurs on roadsides, on open heathland ondamp and dry soils, on woodland edges, around ponds and flushes, and in a few hedges.The rusty hairs under the leaves are more noticeable later in the season, and help distinguish3it from the other species.Salix cinerea is widespread in Britain and Europe, but subsp. oleifolia is a westernEuropean endemic restricted to Britain, Ireland, western France, Spain and Portugal (Meikle4 51984). It is one of the commonest willows in Britain and is increasing in England (Rich &Woodruff 1996).Salix aurita. Eared willow.Ashdown Forest, 1901, T. Hilton IBTN). Principally on the slopes of Ashdown Forest IDone1914), Common on Ashdown Forest and on other wet heathy areas in the High Weald (Hall1980).This species is locally common in wet Molinia flushes and heathland around the Forest,though oddly rare in the Pippingford Park area. It has small, crinkled leaves which aretwisted to one side at the tip.Widespread in Britain, and in central and northern Europe.Salix x multinervis (5. aurita x cinerea).We have nine records for this hybrid, usually from where the parents occur together.It is probably widespread in Britain, and also occurs in Europe.4 5