Field Meetings 1999
Hope 17th April, Aughton Park to Gaw Hill and Town Green 8th May,
Ness Botanic Gardens 22nd May, Broad Green 12 June, Runcorn 26th June,
Hall Road 17th July, Eastham Rake 14th August, Ainsdale 4th September, Hindley 25th September, Hunts Cross 16th October.
Hope 17th April, Aughton Park to Gaw Hill and Town Green 8th May,
Ness Botanic Gardens 22nd May, Broad Green 12 June, Runcorn 26th June,
Hall Road 17th July, Eastham Rake 14th August, Ainsdale 4th September, Hindley 25th September, Hunts Cross 16th October.
Field Meeting Reports 1999
Hope 17th April (Leader: Miss Vera Gordon)
A party of 22 met at Hope Railway Station to po along the narrow lane towards Caergwrle. The way was enlivened with common spring flowers, Lesser Celandine Ranunculus ficaria, Greater Stitchwort Stellaria holostea, Ground-ivy Glechoma hederacea and Cuckoo pint or Jack in the Pulpit Arum maculatum, most of the latter having immaculate leaves. A low millstone grit wall took the place of a hedge on one side of the lane where Ivy-leaved Toadflax Cymbalaria muralis, was in good flower and even had fruits on curved stalks finding a crack in the wall.
In one place there was Lambs Lettuce Valerianella locusta. A slight detour was made down to the River Alyn to see if the Toothwort Lathraea squamaria was still in flower. While most were over, we were lucky to find some in good flower among leaves and even a flower or two of Ramsons Allium ursinum. On the river bank the flowers of Butterbur Petasites hybridus were over but it was possible to identify the male spikes from the now slightly taller main female spikes.
We went up through Caergwrle village to the steep lane on the lower slopes of Hope Mountain. Here were both the Barren Strawberry Potentilla sterilis and the Wild Strawberry Fragaria vesca in flower and we were all able to compare them with each other.
Then we saw three of our members who had missed our meeting time walking along a path which intercepted ours. They were congratulated upon meeting us as there were half a dozen other paths we could have taken.
Going steeply up the hill we saw a few early spikes of Bluebell or Wild Hyacinth flowers Hyacinthoides nonscripta, and plenty of Common Polypody Polypodium vulgare growing on the walled hedge. A couple of plants were pointed out which had been confirmed as Intermediate Polypody Polypodium interjectum and the diagnostic characters were pointed out. This is not surprising as Hope Mountain has many bands of Carboniferous Limestone. We had our lunch in a field by Bryn Yorkin with views east across the Cheshire Plain to Beeston Castle Hill and the Peckforton Hills. Away to the south was the Wrekin. After lunch we continued along the hillside and saw the Navelwort or Wall Pennywort Umbilicus rupestris but not yet in flower by then the plant is not easily seen as tall vegetation on the long acre completely hid it.
On the way down to the village of Cymau, the dominant plant was Shining Cranesbill Geranium lucidum flowering well. Then down to the old gravel workings where there were so many rosettes of the spotted leaves of the Common Spotted Orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii that we resolved to arrange & meeting to see them in flower next year. Down the steep banked lane to the main road was a fine opportunity to see and compare the two Dog-violets Viola riviniana and V. reichenbachiana and also to see the formation of tufa as calcareous water dripped down the bank.
Then to Cefn-y-Bedd along the always wet path where on woodland banks were Primroses, Wood Anemones, more Wood Sorrel and Opposite-leaved Golden Saxifrage Chrysosplenium oppositifolium. We stopped to admire the Marsh Valerian Valeriana dioica and then the cone bearing shoots of the Great Horsetail Equisetum telmateia . Going through the woods to Caergwrle we saw banks of Moschatel or Town Hall Clock Adoxa moschatellina and clumps of Pendulous Sedge Carex pendula, as well as lots of the spring flowers we had seen earlier. At Caergwrle we had to visit the Hornbeam tree by the river though its flowering was almost over. Some Blackthorn was still in flower along the path to Hope Railway Station.
Vera Gordon
Aughton Park to Gaw Hill and Town Green 8th May (Leader: Peter Gateley)
Due to some unexpected train cancellations, there was about a quarter of an hour for the assembling group to explore the sandstone exposures of Aughton Park station whilst awaiting the next service adding a good list of plant records for tetrad SD 40D. In this deep cutting parts of the rock face have large populations of liverworts and mosses, pioneers in the eventual formation of soils on the once bare sandstone. Some small vascular plants are established amongst the bryophytes here, notably the New Zealand Willowherb Epilobium brunnescens which, though an alien, looks very established here.
Ferns are abundant in the damp shady cutting, but it was very pleasing to find a large specimen of Hard Shield-fern Polystichum aculeatum above the Liverpool-bound platform.
Leaving the sheltered station the party headed west to the more exposed slopes overlooking the Lancashire Plain west of Aughton. Much of this area is heavily grazed improved pasture though small fragments of acidic grassland were noted out of the reach of stock. Small strips of native plant habitat survive along some of the footpath routes through this generally botanically sparse area, but a larger area available for native plants 15 found in the nature reserve established on the western slopes of Gaw Hill. This area retains some areas of scrubby Oak, typical of those on other local hills such as Ashurst Beacon and Parbold Hill, with some good populations of Bluebell.
Apart from these scatterings this agricultural area is generally free of tree cover, but it was of some comfort to come across Dog's Mercury along one of the lane verges.
Meandering through the agricultural landscape of tetrads SD30Y and 30X, the group recorded the diversity of species in the remaining old hedgerows and well-established stream and ditch banks, not evident from the local roads.
However, one feature visible from the road was visited, the fern-rich wall of Birches Brow Farm. The recording trip was well-timed with respect to the mowing regime on the verges of the A39, as there was a population of Bulbous Buttercup Ranunculus bulbosus in full bloom, this would not have been so readily noticed the following weekend as it was completely cut down a couple of days later.
After recording around the ancient church, the party took the footpath to the north-west where there was a most surprising find along the eastern side of the track. Alongside a cattle pasture and under the shade of a Sycamore there was a single plant of Wood Sanicle Sanicula europea right on the path edge. This is usually a species of old woodland on neutral to basic soils so its appearance here was unexpected. After exploring an interesting narrow strip of wet woodland, the party reached the built-up residential area of Aughton. However, there was still some interesting plants to see and record; as well as admiring a specimen of Wisteria in full flower in one of the gardens there was also a range of gutter and pavement-crack weeds to enjoy!
Notable pavement species in the sandy areas of Granville Park included Field Madder Sherardia arvensis and Slender Trefoil Trifolium micranthum. After refreshing ourselves with tea and biscuits, thanks to the hospitality of John and Hazel Richardson, the group dispersed to the station after a good day's tetrad recording.
Peter Gateley
Ness Botanic Gardens 22nd May (Leader. Leander Wolstenholme)
Ness gardens encompasses an area of some 62 acres of which about 45 are open to the public. This leaves about 17 acres behind the scenes. These acres are mostly devoted to the experimental work conducted by Liverpool University’s School of Biological Sciences. Within this area there are also wild and scrubby areas that most people don’t get to see. Yet, they harbour a great diversity of native plants, and it was these plants that we set out to see.
We gathered at the entrance and admired some bushes of Choisya ternata. Our first port of call was under the Laburnum arch in the herb garden where we looked at Holy-grass Hierochloe odorata, a grass that is found in Scotland and Co. Antrim. This sweet-smelling grass was, at one time, strewn over the doors of churches on saints days hence its name, Holy-grass. We then proceeded to the greenhouses. In the greenhouse we saw Puya alpestris in flower. We also saw seedlings of the Limestone Woundwort Stachys alpina which were being grown for an experiment on the management and conservation of this rare native species.
In the greenhouses we also saw a number of weeds including the New Zealand Bitter Cress Cardamine corymbosa and the bizarre looking liverwort Marchantia polymorpha with its female receptacles that look like spiders on stalks, male receptacles that look like flat umbrellas and the vegetative gemmae cups looking like little green egg cups.
We then made our way to the experimental ponds passing on the way the Handkerchief Tree Davidia involucrata with its large white bracts flapping around like pristine hankies.
At the experimental ponds we sat and ate our lunch with spectacular views over the River Dee. The lawns in this area were alive with the pretty blue flowers of the American alien speedwell Veronica filiformis. We saw the control room that controls all the temperatures of the artificial tanks and peered in each tank and saw the three aquatic species that grow there, Lagarosiphon major (an African plant), Elodea nutallii (a North American plant) and Potamogeton natans (the only native plant).
We then marched further into the wilds of Ness gardens and in the rock cutting known as Robinson’s Rake we saw the Giant Knotweed Fallopia sachalinensis, the Allerton Oak, and hybrids between Red and White Campion, Silene latifolia x S. dioica.
We saw some Spindle Euonymus europaeus which had large red fruits. Hugh McAllister says that, as far as he knows, this s just normal diploid material. Further down in the rock cutting amidst the beautiful white flowers of Greater Stitchwort Stellaria holostea we found Rosy Garlic Allium roseum, Navelwort Umbilicus rupestris and Heath Groundsel Senecio sylvaticus (introduced by Keith Hatton!'). Along by the willow collection we saw interesting specimens of Antarctic Beech Nothofagus sp.
Heading up towards the small woodland called the Spinney we passed a strip of land that is ploughed and harrowed annually to produce a magnificent display of Corncockle Agrostemma githago. Growing along the hedgerows in this area was the Hedgerow Cranesbill Geranium pyrenaicum. We stopped briefly by the dipping pond, an old marl pit, and saw the strange, purple, parasitic toothwort Lathraea clandestina. Nearby we also saw the Townhall Clock Adoxa moschatellina. On the lawn nearby a patch had been left unmown to allow Fritillaries Fritillaria meleagris to grow. A little further down the hill was a magnificent blue haze created by a flowering Ceanothus bush.
On entering the Spinney, we came across an enclosure containing huge specimens of Giant Hogweed Heracleum mantegazzianum which is kept as an educational feature. Alongside a recently dug stream were plots set aside for the planting of the Limestone Woundwort Stachys alpina seedlings that we had seen previously growing in the greenhouse. In the Spinney we also saw Wood Dock Rumex sanguineus and Wood Meadow-grass Poa nemoralis.
We then headed for the far reaches of the gardens towards the collection of native Rowans. On the way we passed a specimen of Pterocarya. We rooted around for labels in amongst the native Rowans and found Sorbus anglica, S. hibernica, S. lancastriensis, S. leyana, S. devoniensis, S. bristoliensis and S. arranensis.
From here we made our way to the rock garden passing a pretty little patch of Lady's Bedstraw Galium verum. In the Woodland Garden we saw some fantastic specimens of Roscoea, a genus named after William Roscoe. We also saw the Pyramidal Bugle Ajuga pyramidalis and a stunning purple marsh orchid Dactylorhiza sp.
Into the actual rock garden itself we saw the Heath Speedwell Veronica officinalis and a wet meadow with Water Avens Geum rivale.
Leander Wolstenholme
Broad Green 12 June Leader: (Vera Gordon)
Just as we arrived at Broad Green Railway Station, the heavens opened, and we had to stand in a shelter. Leaflets were given out which had been sent by the person who had promised to show us around the National Wildflower Centre at Court Hey Park, but he found out that he had another engagement. However, the leaflets were very interesting.
After about 30 minutes, the rains ceased, and we were able to venture forth to the nearby loop line. Here the path in the railway cutting was more like a swift flowing stream which we had to negotiate for a few hundred yards.
Along the drive towards Thingwall Hall the planted Deodar trees Cedrus deodara looked even more elegant as raindrops weighted down their usual pendant twigs. A real "country lane” with hedge banks shaded by trees led in a few hundred yards to a large, neglected field full of Spear Thistles Cirsium vulgare, except in bare patches where Common Poppies Papaver rhoeas, had taken over.
In this residential area a concrete wall borders the M62, and shrubs and trees were planted as well as False Virginia Creeper Parthenocissus inserta, which does not have adhesive discs on the tip of the tendrils as does the true Virginia Creeper P. quinquefolia, so it scrambled over the bushes instead of covering the wall as intended.
Further along, a grassy bank was visited which had many Bee Orchids Ophrys apifera and Common Spotted Orchids Dactylorhiza fuchsii, and Marsh orchids.
We had our picnic lunches in Court Hey Park after admiring the wildflowers planted there. These included Cornflower Centaurea cyanus, Corncockle Agrostemma githago, Corn Marigold Chrysanthemum segetum, Common Poppy Papaver rhoeas, and Oxeye Daisy Leucanthemum vulgare.
Then uphill to Childwall Woods where in the adjoining field were Common Spotted Orchids and Marsh Orchids. The Oval Sedge Carex ovalis was almost dominant in some areas. We finished with a walk round Black Wood admiring the old trees and the large patches of Enchanter's-nightshade Circaea lutetiana.
Vera Gordon
Runcorn 26th June (Leader: Dave Parry)
We walked along the Runcorn branch of the Bridgewater Canal to Norton Priory. The stonework of the canal was a good place for ferns such as Lady-fern Athyrium filix-femina, Male-fern Dryopteris filix-mas, Broad Buckler fern Dryopteris dilatata and even Royal Fern Osmunda regalis, which was in good form, showing the brown masses of sporangia at the end of the sterile lower part of the fronds. Usual waterside plants included Sneezewort Achillea ptarmica, and Skullcap Scutellaria galericulata, and in the water was some Fringed Water-lily Nymphoides peltata.
At the Priory we walked round the garden, where in the Herb Garden was Sage Salvia officinalis, Apple-mint Mentha x villosa, Chives Allium schoenoprasum and Lemon-scented Balm Melissa officinalis. After some welcome refreshments we walked up to the road along to Astmoor for a bus back to Runcorn. On the way we saw some blue flowered Comfrey Symphytum ‘Hidcote Blue,’ and a few of us enjoyed cherries from a roadside planted tree.
Vera Gordon
Hall Road 17th July (Leader: Vera Gordon)
We first visited one of the places where the Isle of Man Cabbage Coincya monensis ssp. monensis rescued from its threatened site half a mile away, had been planted. It was doing well and in good flower. In many places the alien Broad-leaved Everlasting-pea Lathyrus latifolius made large splashes of various shades of pink. Wood Small Reed Calamagrostis epigejos, rare in South Lancashire was seen in a large colony just inland of the dunes. Frequent suckering bushes of the alien Japanese Rose Rosa rugosa wafted their scent across.
The Pyramidal Orchids Anacamptis pyramidalis were difficult to find because they were nearly over. Among plants which had become naturalised since old building rubble was dumped to prevent further coast erosion were Early Goldenrod Solidago gigantea Veronica austriaca, V. longifolia and the Marguerite Leucanthemum x superbum.
Among the dunes where two new slack had been dug out a few years ago and was now nearly dry was a good place to see both the Common Centaury Centaurium erythraea, and the Seaside Centaury C. littorale growing together.
There were plenty of Early Spotted Orchids Dactylorhiza incarnata ssp. incarnata, but they were over. We lunched here before going over to a flat sandy field where the Sulphur Cinquefoil Potentilla recta grows in scattered groups. In other places were a few cushions of Bloody Crane’s-bill Geranium sanguineum and another naturalised species Cypress Spurge Euphorbia cyparissias.
Among the dominant Salix repens var. argentea, Agrimony Agrimonia eupatoria was seen in a few places. In similar habitats and in good flower we saw Dune Helleborine Epipactis leptochila var. dunensis and also the Pendulous Helleborine E. phyllanthes. In a damp slack were patches of the larger flowered Marsh Helleborine E. palustris.
In one place on the sandy dunes the Sea Bindweed Calystegia soldanella still had a few of its large pink flowers.
On the beach, the tide had worn some building rubble into what plants found as good as natural shingle, and we now have a fine colony of Yellow Horned Poppies Glaucium flavum a few spreading plants of Rock Samphire Crithmum maritimum, and some Sea Kale Crambe maritima. Further along on low dunes Sea-holly Eryngium maritimum was abundant and the Prickly Saltwort Salsola kali ssp. kali had done better than ever this year.
By the time we got to the salt marsh the tide had covered the Greater and Lesser Sea-spurrey Spergularia media and S. marina. Up on the dry Alt bank the Twiggy Spurge Euphorbia x pseudovirgata, was still spreading and as we reached the road we saw Hedgerow Crane’s-bill Geranium pyrenaicum, which seems to be spreading in our area.
Vera Gordon
Eastham Rake 14th August (Leader: Dr Keith Watson)
A party of twelve met at Eastham Rake station and walked along the path in Lowfields Wood along the Dibbin, with Enchanter's Nightshade Circaea lutetiana, Indian Balsam Impatiens glandulifera and Remote Sedge Carex remota. Fleabane Pulicaria dysenterica and Hoary Ragwort Senecio erucifolius were abundant in a meadow before we took the path under the M53 to a good pond.
Amongst floating leaves of Broadleaved Pondweed Potamogeton natans and Common and Ivy-leaved Duckweeds Lemna minor and Lemna trisulca were leaves of Frogbit Hydrocharis morsus-ranae. Other interesting plants included Cypress Sedge Carex pseudocyperus and Common Spike-rush Eleocharis palustris.
After an early lunch, as rain threatened, we walked through the woods towards Hooton, where a single plant of Broadleaved Helleborine Epipactis helleborine was found. After sheltering beneath trees near Hooton Station from a heavy thunderstorm the weather cleared, and we walked along Waterworks Lane where Blue Fleabane Erigeron acer, Shining Crane's-bill Geranium lucidum and Sticky Groundsel Senecio viscosus were found. Following Heath Lane to the Wirral Way we found Wall-rue Asplenium ruta-muraria and Black Spleenwort, A. adiantum-nigrum on a railway bridge, and New Zealand Pigmyweed Crassula helmsii and Water Fern Azolla filiculoides amongst duckweeds in a small pond. We then followed the new wide path along the Wirral Way, passing several clumps of Tall Ramping Fumitory Fumaria bastardii, to the old Hadlow Read station. Notable throughout this walk was the abundance of Black Bryony Tamus communis and Wild Angelica Angelica sylvestris in the hedgerows. After tea break, we took the road through Willaston village, then along the bridle path back to the Wirral Way where Small Toadflax Chaenorhinum minus, Pepper-saxifrage Silaum silaus, Wall Lettuce Mycelis muralis and a very fine colony of Broad-leaved Helleborine, (at least 20 plants) were good finds. The walk ended at Hooton station in quite warm sunshine.
Dr Keith Watson
Ainsdale 4th September (Leader: Duncan Rothwell)
A number of members were delayed as Merseyrail had staffing problems, but eventually we gathered altogether at Ainsdale station, a happy bunch, numbering thirty-two, quite the biggest party ever.
We were pleased to have Dr. Phil Smith with us and as many of you will know he is the author of “Sands of Time,” an introduction to the sand dunes of the Sefton Coast. It is a very good read and a bargain at £8.50.
Our walk started in the dune system at Ainsdale (firstly taking in lots of plants on grass verges and in hedgerows), and we ended up at Hillside. We examined wet slacks and, apart from the flora, there was an abundance of damsel and dragon flies, also lots of frogs and toads, adults and babies. We had to watch where we were walking.
The flora of the area is very varied and wonderful and although the season is coming to an end we did see some lovely specimens. I think the following are worth a mention: Hedgerow Crane’s-bill Geranium pyrenaicum, Smooth Rupturewort Herniaria glabra, Annual Wall Rocket Diplotaxis muralis, Parsley piert Aphanes arvensis, Dewberry Rubus caesius (In abundance), Silverweed Potentilla anserina, Broad leaved Everlasting Pea Lathryus latifolius, Lucerne Medicago sativa, Haresfoot Clover Trifolium arvense, Strawberry Clover Trifolium fragiferum, Fairy Flax Linum catharticum (in fruit), Large-flowered Evening Primrose Oenothera glazioviana, Wild Carrot Daucus carota, Fool's watercress Apium nodiflorum, Tubular water dropwort Oenanthe fistulosa, Wild Parsnip Pastinaca sativa, Round leaved Wintergreen Pyrola rotundifolia, Brookweed Samolus valerandi, Lesser Water Plantain, Baldellia ranunculoides, Common Water Plantain Alisma plantago-aquatica, Marestail, Hippuris vulgaris, Common Centaury Centaurium erythraea, Yellow-wort Blackstonia perfoliata, Marsh Helleborine Epipactis palustris (in fruit), Carline Thistle Carlina vulgaris, Blue Fleabane Erigeron acer, and all over the dunes, Sea Buckthorn, Hippophae rhamnoides. The hybrid willows were of particular interest, namely Salix x forbyana and Salix x friesiana. Of all the plants we saw that day the most magnificent was, of course, Grass of Parnassus Parnassia palustris.
Duncan Rothwell and Patricia Lockwood
Hindley 25th September (Leader: Edna Stephenson)
The season’s penultimate field meeting took place in the Hindley area, near Wigan, on 25th September. Borsdane Wood itself was disappointing, much being overgrown with Brambles, but Pendulous and Wood Sedges Carex pendula and C. sylvatica, were noted, also Tutsan Hypericum androsaemum. The latter, a new record for the wood, was either introduced or bird-sown.
Larger fungi were conspicuous by their absence, but we did see Boletus parasiticus growing on Common Earthball Scleroderma citrinum.
A long-abandoned railway east of the wood proved mere productive, with Fairy Flax, Linum catharticum, Marsh Helleborine Epipactis palustris, and both subspecies of Creeping Willow Salix repens, among the flora, and numerous Speckled Wood butterflies Pararge aegeria as a bonus. On a former railway bridge were good fern colonies, notably Black Spleenwort Asplenium adiantum-nigrum, and curiously we found two Cockspurs — the grass, Cockspur Echinochloa crus-galli in the station car park, and a Hawthorn at first thought to be Cockspur thorn Crataegus crus-galli, beside the footpath near the working railway line, but later identified, however, as Broadleaved Cockspur thorn, Crataegus persimilis, a North American species.
Edna Stephenson
Hunts Cross 16th October (Leader: Vera Gordon)
From Hunts Cross Railway Station we were soon on the site of the old Cheshire Lines Railway to Southport now a Sustrans path and bridleway locally called the Loop Line Path. It alternately went between high green banks on each side, through woods, between lower banks, on a high embankment over bridges with lanes, roads and streams beneath and under bridges carrying a railway, roads and a motorway.
In one place we left the path to see an area of heathland of birches, heathers, moss and at this time of year fungi. Fly Agaric Amanita muscaria, the Tawny Grisette Amanita fulva, the Blusher A. rubescens, the Bolete Paxillus involutus and the Birch Bracket Piptoporus betulinus.
Along the way it was good to see so many common plants still in flower. One less common in our area was the Hedge Bedstraw Galium mollugo ssp erectum, in flower on one bank.
A dead tree stump was decorated with Candle-snuff fungus. Other dead wood had Many-zoned Polypore Coriolus versicolor, and some Hairy Stereum Stereum hirsutum. Shaggy Inkcaps Coprinus comatus, grew alongside the path in some places and further on a Yellow-staining Mushroom Agaricus xanthodermus was identified by its smell and by rubbing the pileus.
At Knotty Ash, a silvery leaved shrub attracted our attention. The greenish silvery scaled berries and late tubular flowers with 4 sepals gave clues to it being an Eleagnus. Later it was confirmed as Spreading Oleaster Eleagnus umbellata. It may have been planted there though the other bushes on the bank were just Crataegus monogyna.
The sandstone cuttings with a dense canopy of trees above were dripping with ferns. Male Fern Dryopteris filix-mas, Broad-leaved Buckler Fern D. dilatata, Lady Fern Athyrium filix-femina, Royal Fern Osmunda regalis, Hart's Tongue Fem Phyllitis scolopendrium and Hard Fern Blechnum spicant.
At West Derby we went up to the road and got a bus back to the City centre.
Vera Gordon
Hope 17th April (Leader: Miss Vera Gordon)
A party of 22 met at Hope Railway Station to po along the narrow lane towards Caergwrle. The way was enlivened with common spring flowers, Lesser Celandine Ranunculus ficaria, Greater Stitchwort Stellaria holostea, Ground-ivy Glechoma hederacea and Cuckoo pint or Jack in the Pulpit Arum maculatum, most of the latter having immaculate leaves. A low millstone grit wall took the place of a hedge on one side of the lane where Ivy-leaved Toadflax Cymbalaria muralis, was in good flower and even had fruits on curved stalks finding a crack in the wall.
In one place there was Lambs Lettuce Valerianella locusta. A slight detour was made down to the River Alyn to see if the Toothwort Lathraea squamaria was still in flower. While most were over, we were lucky to find some in good flower among leaves and even a flower or two of Ramsons Allium ursinum. On the river bank the flowers of Butterbur Petasites hybridus were over but it was possible to identify the male spikes from the now slightly taller main female spikes.
We went up through Caergwrle village to the steep lane on the lower slopes of Hope Mountain. Here were both the Barren Strawberry Potentilla sterilis and the Wild Strawberry Fragaria vesca in flower and we were all able to compare them with each other.
Then we saw three of our members who had missed our meeting time walking along a path which intercepted ours. They were congratulated upon meeting us as there were half a dozen other paths we could have taken.
Going steeply up the hill we saw a few early spikes of Bluebell or Wild Hyacinth flowers Hyacinthoides nonscripta, and plenty of Common Polypody Polypodium vulgare growing on the walled hedge. A couple of plants were pointed out which had been confirmed as Intermediate Polypody Polypodium interjectum and the diagnostic characters were pointed out. This is not surprising as Hope Mountain has many bands of Carboniferous Limestone. We had our lunch in a field by Bryn Yorkin with views east across the Cheshire Plain to Beeston Castle Hill and the Peckforton Hills. Away to the south was the Wrekin. After lunch we continued along the hillside and saw the Navelwort or Wall Pennywort Umbilicus rupestris but not yet in flower by then the plant is not easily seen as tall vegetation on the long acre completely hid it.
On the way down to the village of Cymau, the dominant plant was Shining Cranesbill Geranium lucidum flowering well. Then down to the old gravel workings where there were so many rosettes of the spotted leaves of the Common Spotted Orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii that we resolved to arrange & meeting to see them in flower next year. Down the steep banked lane to the main road was a fine opportunity to see and compare the two Dog-violets Viola riviniana and V. reichenbachiana and also to see the formation of tufa as calcareous water dripped down the bank.
Then to Cefn-y-Bedd along the always wet path where on woodland banks were Primroses, Wood Anemones, more Wood Sorrel and Opposite-leaved Golden Saxifrage Chrysosplenium oppositifolium. We stopped to admire the Marsh Valerian Valeriana dioica and then the cone bearing shoots of the Great Horsetail Equisetum telmateia . Going through the woods to Caergwrle we saw banks of Moschatel or Town Hall Clock Adoxa moschatellina and clumps of Pendulous Sedge Carex pendula, as well as lots of the spring flowers we had seen earlier. At Caergwrle we had to visit the Hornbeam tree by the river though its flowering was almost over. Some Blackthorn was still in flower along the path to Hope Railway Station.
Vera Gordon
Aughton Park to Gaw Hill and Town Green 8th May (Leader: Peter Gateley)
Due to some unexpected train cancellations, there was about a quarter of an hour for the assembling group to explore the sandstone exposures of Aughton Park station whilst awaiting the next service adding a good list of plant records for tetrad SD 40D. In this deep cutting parts of the rock face have large populations of liverworts and mosses, pioneers in the eventual formation of soils on the once bare sandstone. Some small vascular plants are established amongst the bryophytes here, notably the New Zealand Willowherb Epilobium brunnescens which, though an alien, looks very established here.
Ferns are abundant in the damp shady cutting, but it was very pleasing to find a large specimen of Hard Shield-fern Polystichum aculeatum above the Liverpool-bound platform.
Leaving the sheltered station the party headed west to the more exposed slopes overlooking the Lancashire Plain west of Aughton. Much of this area is heavily grazed improved pasture though small fragments of acidic grassland were noted out of the reach of stock. Small strips of native plant habitat survive along some of the footpath routes through this generally botanically sparse area, but a larger area available for native plants 15 found in the nature reserve established on the western slopes of Gaw Hill. This area retains some areas of scrubby Oak, typical of those on other local hills such as Ashurst Beacon and Parbold Hill, with some good populations of Bluebell.
Apart from these scatterings this agricultural area is generally free of tree cover, but it was of some comfort to come across Dog's Mercury along one of the lane verges.
Meandering through the agricultural landscape of tetrads SD30Y and 30X, the group recorded the diversity of species in the remaining old hedgerows and well-established stream and ditch banks, not evident from the local roads.
However, one feature visible from the road was visited, the fern-rich wall of Birches Brow Farm. The recording trip was well-timed with respect to the mowing regime on the verges of the A39, as there was a population of Bulbous Buttercup Ranunculus bulbosus in full bloom, this would not have been so readily noticed the following weekend as it was completely cut down a couple of days later.
After recording around the ancient church, the party took the footpath to the north-west where there was a most surprising find along the eastern side of the track. Alongside a cattle pasture and under the shade of a Sycamore there was a single plant of Wood Sanicle Sanicula europea right on the path edge. This is usually a species of old woodland on neutral to basic soils so its appearance here was unexpected. After exploring an interesting narrow strip of wet woodland, the party reached the built-up residential area of Aughton. However, there was still some interesting plants to see and record; as well as admiring a specimen of Wisteria in full flower in one of the gardens there was also a range of gutter and pavement-crack weeds to enjoy!
Notable pavement species in the sandy areas of Granville Park included Field Madder Sherardia arvensis and Slender Trefoil Trifolium micranthum. After refreshing ourselves with tea and biscuits, thanks to the hospitality of John and Hazel Richardson, the group dispersed to the station after a good day's tetrad recording.
Peter Gateley
Ness Botanic Gardens 22nd May (Leader. Leander Wolstenholme)
Ness gardens encompasses an area of some 62 acres of which about 45 are open to the public. This leaves about 17 acres behind the scenes. These acres are mostly devoted to the experimental work conducted by Liverpool University’s School of Biological Sciences. Within this area there are also wild and scrubby areas that most people don’t get to see. Yet, they harbour a great diversity of native plants, and it was these plants that we set out to see.
We gathered at the entrance and admired some bushes of Choisya ternata. Our first port of call was under the Laburnum arch in the herb garden where we looked at Holy-grass Hierochloe odorata, a grass that is found in Scotland and Co. Antrim. This sweet-smelling grass was, at one time, strewn over the doors of churches on saints days hence its name, Holy-grass. We then proceeded to the greenhouses. In the greenhouse we saw Puya alpestris in flower. We also saw seedlings of the Limestone Woundwort Stachys alpina which were being grown for an experiment on the management and conservation of this rare native species.
In the greenhouses we also saw a number of weeds including the New Zealand Bitter Cress Cardamine corymbosa and the bizarre looking liverwort Marchantia polymorpha with its female receptacles that look like spiders on stalks, male receptacles that look like flat umbrellas and the vegetative gemmae cups looking like little green egg cups.
We then made our way to the experimental ponds passing on the way the Handkerchief Tree Davidia involucrata with its large white bracts flapping around like pristine hankies.
At the experimental ponds we sat and ate our lunch with spectacular views over the River Dee. The lawns in this area were alive with the pretty blue flowers of the American alien speedwell Veronica filiformis. We saw the control room that controls all the temperatures of the artificial tanks and peered in each tank and saw the three aquatic species that grow there, Lagarosiphon major (an African plant), Elodea nutallii (a North American plant) and Potamogeton natans (the only native plant).
We then marched further into the wilds of Ness gardens and in the rock cutting known as Robinson’s Rake we saw the Giant Knotweed Fallopia sachalinensis, the Allerton Oak, and hybrids between Red and White Campion, Silene latifolia x S. dioica.
We saw some Spindle Euonymus europaeus which had large red fruits. Hugh McAllister says that, as far as he knows, this s just normal diploid material. Further down in the rock cutting amidst the beautiful white flowers of Greater Stitchwort Stellaria holostea we found Rosy Garlic Allium roseum, Navelwort Umbilicus rupestris and Heath Groundsel Senecio sylvaticus (introduced by Keith Hatton!'). Along by the willow collection we saw interesting specimens of Antarctic Beech Nothofagus sp.
Heading up towards the small woodland called the Spinney we passed a strip of land that is ploughed and harrowed annually to produce a magnificent display of Corncockle Agrostemma githago. Growing along the hedgerows in this area was the Hedgerow Cranesbill Geranium pyrenaicum. We stopped briefly by the dipping pond, an old marl pit, and saw the strange, purple, parasitic toothwort Lathraea clandestina. Nearby we also saw the Townhall Clock Adoxa moschatellina. On the lawn nearby a patch had been left unmown to allow Fritillaries Fritillaria meleagris to grow. A little further down the hill was a magnificent blue haze created by a flowering Ceanothus bush.
On entering the Spinney, we came across an enclosure containing huge specimens of Giant Hogweed Heracleum mantegazzianum which is kept as an educational feature. Alongside a recently dug stream were plots set aside for the planting of the Limestone Woundwort Stachys alpina seedlings that we had seen previously growing in the greenhouse. In the Spinney we also saw Wood Dock Rumex sanguineus and Wood Meadow-grass Poa nemoralis.
We then headed for the far reaches of the gardens towards the collection of native Rowans. On the way we passed a specimen of Pterocarya. We rooted around for labels in amongst the native Rowans and found Sorbus anglica, S. hibernica, S. lancastriensis, S. leyana, S. devoniensis, S. bristoliensis and S. arranensis.
From here we made our way to the rock garden passing a pretty little patch of Lady's Bedstraw Galium verum. In the Woodland Garden we saw some fantastic specimens of Roscoea, a genus named after William Roscoe. We also saw the Pyramidal Bugle Ajuga pyramidalis and a stunning purple marsh orchid Dactylorhiza sp.
Into the actual rock garden itself we saw the Heath Speedwell Veronica officinalis and a wet meadow with Water Avens Geum rivale.
Leander Wolstenholme
Broad Green 12 June Leader: (Vera Gordon)
Just as we arrived at Broad Green Railway Station, the heavens opened, and we had to stand in a shelter. Leaflets were given out which had been sent by the person who had promised to show us around the National Wildflower Centre at Court Hey Park, but he found out that he had another engagement. However, the leaflets were very interesting.
After about 30 minutes, the rains ceased, and we were able to venture forth to the nearby loop line. Here the path in the railway cutting was more like a swift flowing stream which we had to negotiate for a few hundred yards.
Along the drive towards Thingwall Hall the planted Deodar trees Cedrus deodara looked even more elegant as raindrops weighted down their usual pendant twigs. A real "country lane” with hedge banks shaded by trees led in a few hundred yards to a large, neglected field full of Spear Thistles Cirsium vulgare, except in bare patches where Common Poppies Papaver rhoeas, had taken over.
In this residential area a concrete wall borders the M62, and shrubs and trees were planted as well as False Virginia Creeper Parthenocissus inserta, which does not have adhesive discs on the tip of the tendrils as does the true Virginia Creeper P. quinquefolia, so it scrambled over the bushes instead of covering the wall as intended.
Further along, a grassy bank was visited which had many Bee Orchids Ophrys apifera and Common Spotted Orchids Dactylorhiza fuchsii, and Marsh orchids.
We had our picnic lunches in Court Hey Park after admiring the wildflowers planted there. These included Cornflower Centaurea cyanus, Corncockle Agrostemma githago, Corn Marigold Chrysanthemum segetum, Common Poppy Papaver rhoeas, and Oxeye Daisy Leucanthemum vulgare.
Then uphill to Childwall Woods where in the adjoining field were Common Spotted Orchids and Marsh Orchids. The Oval Sedge Carex ovalis was almost dominant in some areas. We finished with a walk round Black Wood admiring the old trees and the large patches of Enchanter's-nightshade Circaea lutetiana.
Vera Gordon
Runcorn 26th June (Leader: Dave Parry)
We walked along the Runcorn branch of the Bridgewater Canal to Norton Priory. The stonework of the canal was a good place for ferns such as Lady-fern Athyrium filix-femina, Male-fern Dryopteris filix-mas, Broad Buckler fern Dryopteris dilatata and even Royal Fern Osmunda regalis, which was in good form, showing the brown masses of sporangia at the end of the sterile lower part of the fronds. Usual waterside plants included Sneezewort Achillea ptarmica, and Skullcap Scutellaria galericulata, and in the water was some Fringed Water-lily Nymphoides peltata.
At the Priory we walked round the garden, where in the Herb Garden was Sage Salvia officinalis, Apple-mint Mentha x villosa, Chives Allium schoenoprasum and Lemon-scented Balm Melissa officinalis. After some welcome refreshments we walked up to the road along to Astmoor for a bus back to Runcorn. On the way we saw some blue flowered Comfrey Symphytum ‘Hidcote Blue,’ and a few of us enjoyed cherries from a roadside planted tree.
Vera Gordon
Hall Road 17th July (Leader: Vera Gordon)
We first visited one of the places where the Isle of Man Cabbage Coincya monensis ssp. monensis rescued from its threatened site half a mile away, had been planted. It was doing well and in good flower. In many places the alien Broad-leaved Everlasting-pea Lathyrus latifolius made large splashes of various shades of pink. Wood Small Reed Calamagrostis epigejos, rare in South Lancashire was seen in a large colony just inland of the dunes. Frequent suckering bushes of the alien Japanese Rose Rosa rugosa wafted their scent across.
The Pyramidal Orchids Anacamptis pyramidalis were difficult to find because they were nearly over. Among plants which had become naturalised since old building rubble was dumped to prevent further coast erosion were Early Goldenrod Solidago gigantea Veronica austriaca, V. longifolia and the Marguerite Leucanthemum x superbum.
Among the dunes where two new slack had been dug out a few years ago and was now nearly dry was a good place to see both the Common Centaury Centaurium erythraea, and the Seaside Centaury C. littorale growing together.
There were plenty of Early Spotted Orchids Dactylorhiza incarnata ssp. incarnata, but they were over. We lunched here before going over to a flat sandy field where the Sulphur Cinquefoil Potentilla recta grows in scattered groups. In other places were a few cushions of Bloody Crane’s-bill Geranium sanguineum and another naturalised species Cypress Spurge Euphorbia cyparissias.
Among the dominant Salix repens var. argentea, Agrimony Agrimonia eupatoria was seen in a few places. In similar habitats and in good flower we saw Dune Helleborine Epipactis leptochila var. dunensis and also the Pendulous Helleborine E. phyllanthes. In a damp slack were patches of the larger flowered Marsh Helleborine E. palustris.
In one place on the sandy dunes the Sea Bindweed Calystegia soldanella still had a few of its large pink flowers.
On the beach, the tide had worn some building rubble into what plants found as good as natural shingle, and we now have a fine colony of Yellow Horned Poppies Glaucium flavum a few spreading plants of Rock Samphire Crithmum maritimum, and some Sea Kale Crambe maritima. Further along on low dunes Sea-holly Eryngium maritimum was abundant and the Prickly Saltwort Salsola kali ssp. kali had done better than ever this year.
By the time we got to the salt marsh the tide had covered the Greater and Lesser Sea-spurrey Spergularia media and S. marina. Up on the dry Alt bank the Twiggy Spurge Euphorbia x pseudovirgata, was still spreading and as we reached the road we saw Hedgerow Crane’s-bill Geranium pyrenaicum, which seems to be spreading in our area.
Vera Gordon
Eastham Rake 14th August (Leader: Dr Keith Watson)
A party of twelve met at Eastham Rake station and walked along the path in Lowfields Wood along the Dibbin, with Enchanter's Nightshade Circaea lutetiana, Indian Balsam Impatiens glandulifera and Remote Sedge Carex remota. Fleabane Pulicaria dysenterica and Hoary Ragwort Senecio erucifolius were abundant in a meadow before we took the path under the M53 to a good pond.
Amongst floating leaves of Broadleaved Pondweed Potamogeton natans and Common and Ivy-leaved Duckweeds Lemna minor and Lemna trisulca were leaves of Frogbit Hydrocharis morsus-ranae. Other interesting plants included Cypress Sedge Carex pseudocyperus and Common Spike-rush Eleocharis palustris.
After an early lunch, as rain threatened, we walked through the woods towards Hooton, where a single plant of Broadleaved Helleborine Epipactis helleborine was found. After sheltering beneath trees near Hooton Station from a heavy thunderstorm the weather cleared, and we walked along Waterworks Lane where Blue Fleabane Erigeron acer, Shining Crane's-bill Geranium lucidum and Sticky Groundsel Senecio viscosus were found. Following Heath Lane to the Wirral Way we found Wall-rue Asplenium ruta-muraria and Black Spleenwort, A. adiantum-nigrum on a railway bridge, and New Zealand Pigmyweed Crassula helmsii and Water Fern Azolla filiculoides amongst duckweeds in a small pond. We then followed the new wide path along the Wirral Way, passing several clumps of Tall Ramping Fumitory Fumaria bastardii, to the old Hadlow Read station. Notable throughout this walk was the abundance of Black Bryony Tamus communis and Wild Angelica Angelica sylvestris in the hedgerows. After tea break, we took the road through Willaston village, then along the bridle path back to the Wirral Way where Small Toadflax Chaenorhinum minus, Pepper-saxifrage Silaum silaus, Wall Lettuce Mycelis muralis and a very fine colony of Broad-leaved Helleborine, (at least 20 plants) were good finds. The walk ended at Hooton station in quite warm sunshine.
Dr Keith Watson
Ainsdale 4th September (Leader: Duncan Rothwell)
A number of members were delayed as Merseyrail had staffing problems, but eventually we gathered altogether at Ainsdale station, a happy bunch, numbering thirty-two, quite the biggest party ever.
We were pleased to have Dr. Phil Smith with us and as many of you will know he is the author of “Sands of Time,” an introduction to the sand dunes of the Sefton Coast. It is a very good read and a bargain at £8.50.
Our walk started in the dune system at Ainsdale (firstly taking in lots of plants on grass verges and in hedgerows), and we ended up at Hillside. We examined wet slacks and, apart from the flora, there was an abundance of damsel and dragon flies, also lots of frogs and toads, adults and babies. We had to watch where we were walking.
The flora of the area is very varied and wonderful and although the season is coming to an end we did see some lovely specimens. I think the following are worth a mention: Hedgerow Crane’s-bill Geranium pyrenaicum, Smooth Rupturewort Herniaria glabra, Annual Wall Rocket Diplotaxis muralis, Parsley piert Aphanes arvensis, Dewberry Rubus caesius (In abundance), Silverweed Potentilla anserina, Broad leaved Everlasting Pea Lathryus latifolius, Lucerne Medicago sativa, Haresfoot Clover Trifolium arvense, Strawberry Clover Trifolium fragiferum, Fairy Flax Linum catharticum (in fruit), Large-flowered Evening Primrose Oenothera glazioviana, Wild Carrot Daucus carota, Fool's watercress Apium nodiflorum, Tubular water dropwort Oenanthe fistulosa, Wild Parsnip Pastinaca sativa, Round leaved Wintergreen Pyrola rotundifolia, Brookweed Samolus valerandi, Lesser Water Plantain, Baldellia ranunculoides, Common Water Plantain Alisma plantago-aquatica, Marestail, Hippuris vulgaris, Common Centaury Centaurium erythraea, Yellow-wort Blackstonia perfoliata, Marsh Helleborine Epipactis palustris (in fruit), Carline Thistle Carlina vulgaris, Blue Fleabane Erigeron acer, and all over the dunes, Sea Buckthorn, Hippophae rhamnoides. The hybrid willows were of particular interest, namely Salix x forbyana and Salix x friesiana. Of all the plants we saw that day the most magnificent was, of course, Grass of Parnassus Parnassia palustris.
Duncan Rothwell and Patricia Lockwood
Hindley 25th September (Leader: Edna Stephenson)
The season’s penultimate field meeting took place in the Hindley area, near Wigan, on 25th September. Borsdane Wood itself was disappointing, much being overgrown with Brambles, but Pendulous and Wood Sedges Carex pendula and C. sylvatica, were noted, also Tutsan Hypericum androsaemum. The latter, a new record for the wood, was either introduced or bird-sown.
Larger fungi were conspicuous by their absence, but we did see Boletus parasiticus growing on Common Earthball Scleroderma citrinum.
A long-abandoned railway east of the wood proved mere productive, with Fairy Flax, Linum catharticum, Marsh Helleborine Epipactis palustris, and both subspecies of Creeping Willow Salix repens, among the flora, and numerous Speckled Wood butterflies Pararge aegeria as a bonus. On a former railway bridge were good fern colonies, notably Black Spleenwort Asplenium adiantum-nigrum, and curiously we found two Cockspurs — the grass, Cockspur Echinochloa crus-galli in the station car park, and a Hawthorn at first thought to be Cockspur thorn Crataegus crus-galli, beside the footpath near the working railway line, but later identified, however, as Broadleaved Cockspur thorn, Crataegus persimilis, a North American species.
Edna Stephenson
Hunts Cross 16th October (Leader: Vera Gordon)
From Hunts Cross Railway Station we were soon on the site of the old Cheshire Lines Railway to Southport now a Sustrans path and bridleway locally called the Loop Line Path. It alternately went between high green banks on each side, through woods, between lower banks, on a high embankment over bridges with lanes, roads and streams beneath and under bridges carrying a railway, roads and a motorway.
In one place we left the path to see an area of heathland of birches, heathers, moss and at this time of year fungi. Fly Agaric Amanita muscaria, the Tawny Grisette Amanita fulva, the Blusher A. rubescens, the Bolete Paxillus involutus and the Birch Bracket Piptoporus betulinus.
Along the way it was good to see so many common plants still in flower. One less common in our area was the Hedge Bedstraw Galium mollugo ssp erectum, in flower on one bank.
A dead tree stump was decorated with Candle-snuff fungus. Other dead wood had Many-zoned Polypore Coriolus versicolor, and some Hairy Stereum Stereum hirsutum. Shaggy Inkcaps Coprinus comatus, grew alongside the path in some places and further on a Yellow-staining Mushroom Agaricus xanthodermus was identified by its smell and by rubbing the pileus.
At Knotty Ash, a silvery leaved shrub attracted our attention. The greenish silvery scaled berries and late tubular flowers with 4 sepals gave clues to it being an Eleagnus. Later it was confirmed as Spreading Oleaster Eleagnus umbellata. It may have been planted there though the other bushes on the bank were just Crataegus monogyna.
The sandstone cuttings with a dense canopy of trees above were dripping with ferns. Male Fern Dryopteris filix-mas, Broad-leaved Buckler Fern D. dilatata, Lady Fern Athyrium filix-femina, Royal Fern Osmunda regalis, Hart's Tongue Fem Phyllitis scolopendrium and Hard Fern Blechnum spicant.
At West Derby we went up to the road and got a bus back to the City centre.
Vera Gordon