Plants in Vice-County 104: A Review of July – December 2008.

In addition to some paperwork, the Threatened Plants Project pilot study required populations of Pyrola media (Intermediate wintergreen) and Gentianella campestris (Field Gentian) to be surveyed. Several were studied on Skye and Raasay, the general conclusion being one of good health, though I failed to re-find one large population of P. media on Skye. The availability of a simple DNA-based test at RBGE that allows the determination of non-flowering Pyrola plants from a single leaf is a real boon.

Skye

In the way of introductions there were first Skye records for Symphoricarpos x chenaultii (Pink Snowberry) and Cotoneaster dielsianus (Diel’s Cotoneaster).

Roger and Pat Cottis recorded Cardamine pratensis flore pleno the double-flowered form of Lady’s-smock at Isleornsay,

Possible Equisetum x mildeanum (E. pratense (Shady Horsetail) x E. sylvaticum (Wood Horsetail)) was reported from Portree by Tim Harrison but specimens sent to expert referees have caused some confusion. Further specimens will have to be taken in 2009.

Thanks to Bill and Deirdre Peppé and to Mike Porter, records for Epipactis atrorubens (Dark-red Helleborine) were made in 10km squares where no records had been made since pre-2000.

Eigg

Even though the Eigg visit took place in the first half of 2008, the results are still coming in. Several referees have yet to opine on specimens sent to them, so some potentially exciting items remain unresolved such as putative Ajuga x pseudopyramidalis (A. pyramidalis (Pyramidal Bugle) x A. reptans (Bugle).

The ‘Carex paniculata (Greater Tussock-sedge)’ mentioned in the first half report is now thought to be an odd form of Carex arenaria (Sand Sedge) though further specimens have been requested by the experts.

Epilobium x vicinum (E. obscurum (Short-fruited Willowherb) x E. ciliatum (American Willowherb)) found with both parents on a forestry track is a first vice-county record.

Alchemilla glomerulans (a Lady's-mantle) is also a first for the vice-county.

Stephen Bungard

15 January 2009