Recent reports - flora.
31st December: A very late Hedgehog Mushroom Hydnum repandum seen at Denny Lodge Inclosure in the New Forest.
31st December: 14 flowers and shrubs in bloom on a 'Winter Wildflower Walk' at Southampton Old Cemetery as well as 8 species of fungi. The latter included the uncommon, and deadly poisonous, Lepiota josserandii under cypresses.
29th December: First Hazel seen in bloom (unless anybody has seen any even earlier) at Sainsbury's, Hedge End.
28th December: On bare ground north of Calshot Power Station large numbers of the uncommon moss Aloina aloides seen. This species is usually associated with the chalk.28 species of lichen seen at Keyhaven to Lower Pennington in a recee for a Field Meeting on 14th January.
27th December: Late Michaelmas Daisy Aster x versicolor in flower in some quantity along the railway footpath at Freemantle.
26th December: Another new site for Hairy Garlic Allium subhirsutum in Southampton. This time at Weston Common, close to Imber Way. The Naples Garlic Allium neapolitanum at Donkey Common has spread to two more sites along the Bursledon Road. In the woods at Donkey Common a Bergenia that was not in bloom appears to be B x schmidtii.24th December: Orange-peel Fungus Aleuria aurantiaca was seen in flowerbeds at West End Road, Bitterne.23rd December: There are still Chanterelles Cantharellus cibarius at Sowley Brooms, east of Lymington. Also The Goblet Toadstool Pseudoclitocybe cyathiformis is up here. 21st December: There are still Oyster Mushrooms at Horns Drove Wood, Rownhams. Also seen here were some interesting trees , Guelder Rose Viburnum opulus and Cherry Plum Prunus cerasifera were probably new records here. Three species of bird-sown Cotoneasters were identified as C. rehderi, C.bullatus and C.sternianus. 20th December: A large colony (about 50+ ) Giant Earthstar Geastrum triplex under hawthorns along a footpath by Worthy Down Camp at South Wonston.12th December: One specimen of the Daisy Earthstar Geastrum floriforme was seen at Eastleigh Cemetery under cypresses; more had been reported earlier in the season – this is a particularly rare species. Also a toadstool which smells of putty i.e. Macrocystidea cucumis seen here and there has been an increase in Sowerbyella.8th December: A Red Data Book Ascomycete fungus Sowerbyella radiculata found under cypresses at Eastleigh Cemetery. This is a distinctive mustard yellow coloured cup fungus with a dark ‘tap-root’. Also two species of Earthstar Geastrum coronatum and G.striatum present here. 4th December: A tree survey carried out at Hum Hole, Bitterne and one self-sown Late Cotoneaster Cotoneaster lacteus as well as about ten self-sown Portugal Laurel Prunus lusitanicus were found. 27th November: The small Mycena flavoalba is the only toadstool to appear on a garden lawn at 488 Bitterne Road East so far. 24th November: It has not been a very good year for Hygrocybe but there were 10 H.calyptriformis (Pink Pixie Cap) in Anns Hill Cemetery, Gosport. Also the Scarlet Caterpillar club Cordyceps militaris seen here. This latter species has been scarce in 2006. 18 Stinkhorn Phallus impudicus found in an unusual habitat – the leaf litter under London Planes at Gosport Park. 22nd November: A small plant of Spurge Laurel Daphne laureolum found on the western side of Tanglewood Pond at Rownhams. The barberry Berberis thunbergii and Himalayan Honeysuckle Leycesteria formosa bird sown at nearby Fernyhurst Lake, Rownhams.
15th November: Ragweed Ambrosia artemisiifolia growing as a weed in a garden at Seymour Avenue, Upper Shirley.
15th November: A moss that specialises on pony dung, Sphlacnum ampullaceum, seen at two locations in Wilverley Bog.
15th November: Cotoneaster congestus, first reported by Paul Bowman in 1988, still present at Mogshade Hill and there are three more recent bird sown specimens there. There is also a large patch of the closely related Cotoneater sherifii nearby.
13th November: Two bushes of Chinese Barberry Berberis julianae (first recorded in 2000) still present at High Corner in the west of the New Forest.
12th November: Seven species of fungi recorded as new species at a foray at Kite's Croft. These included the Parasitic Bolete Xerocomus parasiticus and an interesting bracket fungus on birch, Hapalopilus nidulans.
11th November: Another new site found for Yellow-flowered Strawberry Duchesnea indica – this time at Botany Bay, Sholing south of Bunny Hill.11th November: 45 species of fungi found at Mayfield Park, including the on the recee of 9th November. The highlight today was Panther Cap Amanita pantherina north of the children’s playground. This latter is apparently the first record within Southampton city boundary. Also an unusual, almost scale-less Honey Fungus in the formal gardens identified as Armillaria cepistipes.9th November: A new site for Tinder (=Hoof) Fungus Fomes fomentarius found on beech west of the obelisk at Mayfield Park. 6th November: Six species of fungi, including Pholiota squarrosa, recorded at Watt’s Park in central Southampton. 5th November: Still plenty of fungi at Itchen Valley Country Park but there were a lot of eyes looking. The highlight was probably the third Hampshire record for Pholiota flammans, also known as Flaming Scaly-cap. This was found in the conifer plantation section NE of Highwood Barn as were other species of interest such as Jelly Tongue Pseudohydnum gelatinosum and the Rancid Greyling Tephrocybe rancida. 5th November: An interesting Amanita known as Amanita franchetii found at Round Coppice, Whiteley. This species resembles the Blusher Amanita rubescens but has bright yellow velar remains on the cap, a yellow ring and no pink flushing. Other fungi of interest here included Panther Cap Amanita pantherina, ‘ Pick-a-back Toadstool’ Nyctalis parasticus and Tricholoma sejunctum. 5th November: Stink Aster Dittrichia graveolens found at another site on the M27. This time it was found on the roundabout over junction 9 at Whiteley.1st to 4th November: Large decrease in the number of fungi about due to a series of night time air frosts. 26th October (latest news): Found the Tomatillo (a Mexican relative of Chinese Lantern with yellow flowers) Physalis ixiocarpa at Beauleiu Motor Museum car park. This has since been re-determined as Physalis philadelphicus.
31st October: Green Alkanet Pentaglottis sempervirens coming to bloom again in some places and Cross-leaved Heath Erica tetralix in flower at East End.
31st October: A good crop of the rare Cortinarius violaceus reported at a known site at Mark Ash Wood in the New Forest and both Cortinarius trivialis and Hericium cirrhatum seen nearby. North of Millyford Bridge the Boletus junquilleus had gone over but the rare Pick-a-back Toadstool Nyctalis parasiticus seen on Russula densifolia and two other fungi of interest were Amanita inaurata and Boletus calopus. 29th October: A good selection of fungi seen in parts of the central parks in Southampton, at least where there are native tree species. Species of particular interest included Xerocomus pulverulentus, Xerocomus rubellus, Clitocybe inodora and Collybia erythropa. There was also some Giant Polypore Meripilus giganteus at the base of a London Plane and the bracket Ganoderma resinaceum on Common Lime. 29th October: In one of the flowerbeds at Andrew's (= East) Park, Southampton several flowering plants of what appeared to the alien spurge Euphorbia maculata seen. 27th October: The rare Broad-leaved Cotton-grass Eriphorum latifolium found to be still present at Stony Moors, near to Homesley.
26th October: Some interesting fungi seen in a second survey at Beauleiu Motor Museum car park. These included Russula violeipes, Lactarius mitissimus, Leccinum aurantiacum and Boletus queletii (yet again). Also Death Cap Amanita phalliodes still present here. A 'massive' amount of fungi found in the woodland and abandoned marl pits at Norley Wood, East End. Species of particular interest here included Boletus pseudoregius, Tricholoma sejunctum, Cortinarius trivialis, Cortinarius bolaris, Lactarius lacunarum and Phellidon melaleuca.
26th October: Found the Tomatillo (a Mexican relative of Chinese Lantern with yellow flowers) Physalis ixiocarpa at Beauleiu Motor Museum car park. Also growing there was abundantly naturalised Argentinian Vervain Verbena bonariensis.
24th October: Yet another record of the normally scarce Bolete Boletus queletii - this time at Freemantle Baptist Church car park in Southampton, under a birch tree. 23rd October: The unusual mushroom Agaricus lanipes recorded at Ann's Hill Cemetery, Gosport.
22nd October: 54 species of fungi recorded at the foray at Micheldever Wood - this was about the same number as the people who turned up i.e. one each! Particularly interesting fungi seen included Cortinarius croceocaeruleus, Lactarius volemus, Micromphale foetidum, Mycena crocata and Rugosomyces (=Calocybe) ionides.
19th October: A fungi foray in the Culverley/ Stubbs Wood area of the SE New Forest revealed huge numbers of Amanita including the scarce Amanita porphyria. Other fungi of interest here included Cortinarius uliginosus, Russula violeipes, Hebeloma edurum, Pholiota apicrea, Magpie Inkcap Coprinus picaceus (uncommon in the forest) and Nail Fungus Poronia punctata.
18th October: Another huge hauls of fungi - this time at Micheldever Wood north of Winchester. Too many to mention really but the scarce Lepiota hystrix was of particular interest as were the Bolete Xerocomus pulverulentus and, on Beech stumps, Lentinus torulosus.
17th October: The Hampshire Purslane Ludwigia palustris north of the Ornamental Lake on Southampton Common confirmed and it appears to be spreading. Pokeweed Phyllotaca acinos found growing with nettles at College Road, Winchester and Garden Thyme Thymnus vulgaris still persisting on the eastern wall of Wovesley Castle. 16th October: Fungi survey in the cemeteries of Gosport but most of the Hygrocybe's here not showing yet apart from Hygrocybe chlorophana in Ann's Hill Cemetery and Hygrocybe glutinipes at Clayhall Military Cemetery. Other fungi of particular interest at Clayhall Military Cemetery included Boletus queletii, Deathcap Amanita phalloides, Agaricus cupreobrunneus, Leucopaxillus paradoxus and Leucoagaricus macrorhizus.
15th October: Some naturalised autumn-flowering crocus Crocus speciosus found at the base of an oak tree at Chestnut Avenue, Eastleigh.
15th October:- 54 species of fungi, including the Bitter Bolete Tylopilus felleus, seen during the foray at Matley Wood.
14th October: The rare yellow Bolete Boletus junquilleus seen in good numbers near Millyford Bridge carpark in the New Forest. Other interesting fungi in the area included Hare's Ear Otidea onotica, the chanterelle Cantharellus tubiformis var.lutescens and more Panther Cap Amanita pantherina (very abundant this year). 13th October: A flowering plant of Moth Mullein Verbascum blattaria found at Bursledon Road, behind Milbury Crescent.
12th October: A huge number of fungi seen during a foray at Beauleiu. Around the Motor Museum car park species of particular interest included Tricholoma vaccinum and both Deathcap Amanita Phalloides and Panther Cap Amanita pantherina. The Deathcap was also found in Great Goswell Copse along with Russula violeipes, Hebeloma trucatum, Pseudocraterellus sinuosus and Thelephora penicillata.
10th October: Discovery of the American composite flower Melampodium montanum at the centre of Alverstoke village, Gosport - the second British record .
9th October: Deadly Nightshade Atropa belladonna appears to have gone from a known site at Bishopstoke (Chickenhall) Sewage Farm
8th October: The uncommon Zoned Polypore Podoscypha multizonata found under oaks south of the Boating Lake on Southampton Common.
7th October: Boletus pseudoregius confirmed at Hilltop Wood, Beauleiu.5th October: Considerable numbers of early season and mid season fungi fruiting together in woods in the Beauleiu estate east of the motor museum. There were particularly large numbers of Boletus edulis (Ceps) and one specimen of what was thought to be Boletus pseudoregius. Other fungi of interest included Spiny Puffball Lycoperdon echinatum,Boletus aereus, Boletus queletii, Panther Cap Amanita pantherina and several interesting species of Russula.2nd October: Reports of flowering Woody Fleabane Dittrichia graveolens along the A31 westward from the roundabout at the junction of the M27. 2nd October: Colony of the scarce Bird’s-nest Fungus Crucibulum leave on bark mulch under tree plantings in the car park outside Argos at West Quay. Another interesting fungus Leuicoagaricus cinerascens growing on bark mulch nearby. 1st October: Two brackets of Tinder Fungus Fomes fomentarius at Kendall’s Wood, Thornhill Park on a moribund birch tree. This species normally grows on this host in Scotland. There is already a site, known for twenty years, on beech at Mayfield Park. 29th September: A report of the ragweed Ambrosia artemisiifolia at Havant but later weeded out. There are currently no known sites for this species in Southampton. 24th September: A single plant of Argentinian Vervain Verbena bonariensis growing in a paving stone at Eynham Avenue, Bitterne23rd September: Some increase in fungi, for example the white parasol Leucoagaricus leucothites seen at Peartree Green. 22nd September: Quite a large increase in the amount of fungi about – species of true mushroom Agaricus particularly common this year. Also Shaggy Parasol Macrolepiota rhacodes at Brookwood Cemetery and the white Leucoagaricus leucothites at Peartree Green.18th September: A small colony of Corn Marigold Chrysanthemum segetum found by Castle Lane, North Baddesley15th September: Four specimens of a rare Eathstar Geastrum coronatum found under Cypress trees at Brookwood Cemetery, Eastleigh. About twenty more seen a week later. 12th September: A poisonous species of parasol mushroom called Echinoderma adspersum (or Lepiota acutesquamosa) seen in a flowerbed at 6 Caerleon Avenue, Bitterne amongst heather.
11th September: One clump of Mistletoe Viscum album found on a Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna at Freemantle Common, Bitterne. The destructive bracket fungus Phaeolus schweinitzii found on a dead (but standing) Monterey Pine Pinus radiata at Deep Dene, Bitterne Park.
10th September: Royal Fern Osmunda regalis discovered growing in a damp area amongst brambles by the public footpath running north from Green Lane, Old Netley.
10th September: Orange Balsam (= Jewel Weed) Impatiens capensis recorded at a new site by the River Hamble near the Swanwick boatyard .
7th September: First record of Parasitic Bolete Xerocomus parasiticus on earthball fungus in Kendall's Wood, Thornhill.
7th September: Large numbers of Autumn Ladies Tresses Spiranthes spiralis at Priestwood Close, Thornhill Park. It is obviously a very good year for this orchid despite the total destruction of the large colony on the Thornhill Primary School fields.
6th September: A 'new' colony of Autumn Ladies Tresses Spiranthes spiralis on a grassy bank on the NE side of Archery Road, Weston.
5th September: An unusual selection of species along one short and shady section of the Bartley Water in Totton NW of Rumbridge - naturalised species included Woodruff Galium odoratum, Druce's Crane's-bill Geranium x oxonianum and Pickerel Weed Pontadera cordata.
3rd September: 25 species of fungi recorded on the Field Meeting at Shatterford and Denny Wood including the ring-less Honey Fungus Armillaria tabescens and the bracket Ganoderma resinaceum. Flora recorded at this meeting included flowering specimens of Lesser Bladderwort Utricularia minor where one of the footpaths crosses West Denny Bog.
24th August: The Persian Ivy Hedera colchicum spreading in the Hollybrook valley behind the Chalybeate Hospital re-determined by the national referee as Algerian Ivy Hedera algeriensis
23rd August: About six Autumn Ladies Tressess in bloom on the Officer’s Mess Lawn at Royal Victoria Country Park – the first report this year. Unfortunately the large site for ALT at Thornhill Primary School has now been completely destroyed by the development of the new Springwell School. Of equal concern is that Thornhill School (or Springwell School for that matter) have no significant facilities for outdoor sports anymore! This is a local conservation disaster of the first magnitude! 21st August: Probably a new site for Trifid Bur-marigold Bidens tripartita on the coast at Hamble Cliff by the outlet of a small stream. 19th August: 11 species of fungi seen on the Field Meeting at Millyford Bridge and Holidays Hill Inclosure including the slime mould Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa and the normally uncommon Boletus appendiculatus. The latter was seen in several places. 18th August: Scented Mayweed Matricaria recutita and possibly the hybrid St John’s Wort Hypericum x desetangsii ‘new’ to Southampton Old Cemetery. The apparently naturalised Bottlebrush Buckeye Aesculus parviflorus there was more or less confirmed. 16th August: Spectacular display of about 30 Marsh Gentians in a small area at Longdown. Lodgepole Pine Pinus contorta seeding itself here also. 15th August: An unidentified Malus on woodland edge in the north of Hut Wood seemed to be Hupeh Crab Malus hupehensis or a related species. 13th August: Surprise discovery of what appears to be the native taxon of Hampshire Purslane Ludwigia palustris north of the Ornamental Lake on Southampton Common.13th August: Water Chickweed Myosoton aquaticum in bloom south of the bird hide at Testwood Lakes.12th August: Some interesting flora found in a clay meadow (Marsh’s Meadow) at Swanmore including Pepper Saxifrage Silaum silaus and Strawberry Clover Trifolium fragiferum.5th August: Colony of Marsh Fern Thelypteris palustris, last recorded in 1994, still flourishing at Longwood Inclosure in the east of the New Forest . Royal Fern Osmunda regalis at the same site .5th August:- Fern meeting at Bramshaw (see Field Meeting records). Also several fungi seen there including a number of Russula species and Volvariella bombycina.3rd August: A tree of New Zealand Broadleaf Griselinia littoralis found amongst native vegetation, mainly Brambles, in the south of the Sport’s Centre (Jack’s Corner) 30th July: Moderate recent rains encouraged a few fungi at Marchwood such as The Prince Agaricus augustus along the edge of the A326. 30th July: Colony of Common Cudweed Filago vulgaris found in a flat, gravely area on the edge of the gravel works east of Trott’s Copse at Marchwood. Nearby Annual Beard Grass Polypogon monspeliensis, Goat’s Rue Galega officinalis and Narrow-leaved Bird’s-foot Trefoil Lotus glaber also recorded. 28th July: A white flowered version of Great Willowherb Epilobium hirsutum found at Old Bursledon Nature Haven during the evening Field Meeting there. 26th July: A field border full of Corn Marigold Chrysanthemum segetum found at West Wellow. Some Phacelia Phacelia tanacetifolia also growing there. 23rd July: At Magdalen Hill Down Extension, east of Winchester, a large colony of hybrid Raspberry x Dewberry Rubus x pseudoidaeus seen in the hedge near the cemetery. It was recognised by its dark red Dewberry like fruits. 20th July: An unusual, but attractive, weed Malling Toadflax Chaenorhinum origanifolium recorded in a large flowerpot in a garden at St Catherine’s Road, Bitterne Park. This small lilac flowered toadflax is well known as a naturalisation on old walls at West Malling in Kent, hence it’s unusual vernacular name. 18th July: A single plant of White Mullein Verbascum lychnitis had flowered at Peartree Green but now gone over in the heat. Several non-flowering rosettes here though. 17th July: Report of a large flowering plant of Elecampane Inula helenium at Dairy Lane, Nursling. The identity of this plant was confirmed on 23rd July. This plant was not recorded here in the Hampshire Flora but there is an old record nearby on land that is now occupied by the Cedar School. 7th to 16th July: No reports at all!6th July: One large plant of Cynara cardunculus growing wild along edge of a gravel pit area in the Alver valley at Gosport. Short-styled Dog Rose Rosa stylosa recorded at nearby Alver Moor. Sickle Medick Medicago falcate still persists at it’s site on Portsdown Hill and Grass-nut Tritelia laxa recorded as a garden escape at nearby Crookhorn. Eight species of Cotoneaster recorded in a chalk pit at Porchester. The Cynara cardunculus is actually Globe Artichoke.5th July: Report of Pyramidal Orchids Anacamptis pyramidalis along the Stoneham Link Road to the M27.4th July: Bastard Cabbage Rapistrum rugosum still persisting near the railway edge to the south of St Deny’s Railway Station at Portswood. An unidentified Aster species (already in bloom) and Chives Allium schoenoprasum growing at the edge of the disused Radcliff Road Allotments.29th June: Some interesting finds on the Field Meeting in the Shirley Valley this evening. Of particular interest were Chinese Bramble Rubus tricolor and Trailing Bellflower Campanula poscharskyana in the woods behind the Chalybeate Hospital along the Hollybrook. Also the Hybrid Knotweed Fallopia x bohemica near Shirley Pond and the Tree Cotoneaster Cotoneaster frigidus east of Shirley Warren Avenue. Fuller details available in the Field Meetings reports. 29th June: A brief spell of recent rain encouraged Horse Mushroom Agaricus arvensis and Little Wheel Toadstool Marasmius rotula east of Shirley Warren Avenue
25th June: Narrow-leaved Ragwort Senecio inaequidens has reappeared at the western end of Northam Bridge. Some Pyramidal Orchids in the grounds of the former Meridian Studios at Northam close to the boundary fence on the River Itchen side.
25th June: Tasteless Stonecrop Sedum sexangulare confirmed on an old grave on the eastern edge of St Mary's Extra Cemetery, Sholing. This is now in bloom. 25th June: 21 Bee Orchids Ophrys apifera by the Bitterne Bypass this year - they are generally somewhat further west than in previous years. 24th June: A bush of Spanish Broom Spartium junceum found growing wild in scrub at Forest Front Reserve, Dibden Purleiu.
23rd June: The striking gall of the fungus Exobasidium camelliae found on Camellia in a garden at Caerleon Avenue, Bitterne. This gall causes young leaves to buckle and curl up and form a plum sized white gall - it doesn't kill the plant. 22nd June: Trailing Bellflower Campanula poscharskyana found growing naturally in Southampton Old Cemetery.
18th June: Reports of 'albino' Bee Orchid at Portsdown Hill, north of Portsmouth. 13th June: A Purple-flowered Raspberry Rubus odoratus found in bloom just west of the Hawthorns Centre entrance on Southampton Common. Although there is planted (? naturalised) Sorbaria nearby this Rubus has not been noticed previously so it could have been bird-sown. 12th June: Heath Speedwell Veronica officinalis appeared for the first time on a garden lawn at Coates Road, Sholing.
9th June: Significant quantities of Grass Vetchling Lathyrus nissolia and Orange Hawkweed Pilosella aurantiaca found in grassland north of Luzborough Plantation, North Baddesley.
8th June: Knotted Clover Trifolium striatum found with T.subterraneum and T.glomeratum on a grass bank just east of Millbrook Church and on the north side of the A35. 7th June: Garden Speedwell Veronica longifolia found growing wild, but not yet in bloom, at a site in west Totton. A little to the south Rosa gallica found in a natural looking hedgerow by a footpath. 7th June: Cut-leaved Elder Sambucus nigra laciniata was probably the most interesting plant recorded at the Testwood Lakes Field Meeting. An ivy found along the path near the pumping station may have been the cultivar of Hedera helix known as 'Hibernica'.
4th June: Common Spotted Orchids, Southern Marsh Orchids and the hybrid of the two showing blooms on Southampton Common. Rosy Garlic Allium roseum spreading north along the west side of Thomas Lewis Way at St Deny's from Lodge Road junction.3rd June: The Purple Ramping Fumitory Fumaria purpurea at Oakley Road Allotments is still showing well. 30th May: It is obviously one of those years when Star-of-Bethlehem Ornithogalum umbellatum appears ‘everywhere’ since some has appeared on Peartee Green. However only one small plant of Bithynian Vetch Vicia bithynica there this year and not much sign of Bee Orchids.28th May: Two new flowers have appeared in the Southampton Old Cemetery. These were Star-of-Bethlehem Ornithogalum umbellatum and Three-veined Sandwort Moehringia trinervia. Also Mock Orange Philedelphus coronarius self-sown here. Bee Orchid rising at the Grange Fields, Netley site. Also Green-winged Orchids here, possibly for the first time. 27th May: The unidentified Broomrapes Orobanche sp. at Quayside Road, Bitterne Manor are starting to rise around a New Zealand Holly Olearia macrodonta bush. 23rd May: Interesting record of Rough Dog’s-tail Grass Cynosurus echinatum at Boscombe in Bournemouth 22nd May: Round-leaved Crane’s-bill Geranium rotundifolium still present at Watts Park, Southampton and a large colony of Hoary Mustard Hirshfeldia incana in a carpark west of London Road in Southampton. 18th May: White Helleborine Cephalanthera damasonium found growing on a garden lawn at St Cross Road, Winchester
15th May: First Southampton record of Clustered Clover Trifolium glomeratum on a grassy bank by north side of A33 at Millbrook. Nearby there was some White Mustard Sinapis alba along the Tanner's Brook. 11th May: Probably a new Hampshire record as the alien spurge Euphorbia coralloides found at the base of a post on eastern edge of West End Copse. Also populations of Wild Bluebell Endymion non-scripta and Solomon's Seal Polygonatum multiflorum still extant in West End Copse.
10th May: A Bryophyte survey at Hilliers Arboretum revealed 12 new species. These included several species of Sphagnum as well as a number of species associated with a limestone wall above the peat garden. These species included Cirriphyllum crassinervum, Ctenidium molluscum, Orthotrichum cupulatum and Scorpiurium circinatum.. 10th May: The Canadian Starflower Trientalis borealis still spreading in the Brentry Woodland at Ampfield and there is still Wall Whitlow-grass Draba muralis near Jermyn's House, Hilliers Arboretum. Another discovery, close to the Jermyn's House car park and on land formerly occupied by glasshouses was American Speedwell Veronica peregrina. 9th May: Slender Speedwell Veronica filiformis found for the first time at Peewit Hill. The Black Bog Rush and Deer Grass here are still going strong but there is now little sign of sundews. 7th May: An unusual tulip, thought to be Tulipa linifolia suddenly appeared in Southampton Old Cemetery amongst natural vegetation and in area where it was thought unlikely to be planted. 5th May: A patch of Woodruff Galium odoratum found at St Mary's Wood, Netley was considered to be a garden escape. 4th May: New botanical sites found in the west of Lord's Wood including Highclere Holly Ilex x altaclarensis and suspected Hybrid Skullcap Scutellaria x hybrida. Rumours of Lily-of-the-Valley and Early Purple Orchid in the same area.
4th May: Strong colony of Crosswort Cruciata laevipes at Thornhill Boys Club grounds at Upper Deacon Road.
30th April: Double-flowered Lady's Smock Cardamine pratensis seen during the Fiel;d Meeting at Chilworth Manor Gardens.
29th April: A strong colony of Upright Chickweed Moenchia erecta discovered in grassland south of Peartree Green.
29th April: Interesting discovery of a flowering bush of Tartarian Honeysuckle Lonicera tatarica in scrub north of Miller's Pond, Sholing. The Three -cornered Leek Allium triquetrum here has spread quite spectacularly.
26th April: Four specimens of Common Morel Morchella esculenta up at the usual site at Peartree Green.
26th April: A 'new' site for Purple Toothwort Lathraea squamaria found by Cutbush Hidden Pond at Townhill Park. Also several self-sown Portugal Laurel Prunus lusitanicus in the woods here.
25th April: The one remaining Southampton site for Mouse Tail Myosurus minima by Test Lane is flourishing. The Mayflower Park site was destroyed when ABP dumped soil on it last year.
24th April: A record of a small sown Indian Horse Chestnut Aesculus indica at Cutbush Lane, adjacent to Gregg School - possibly a first for Hampshire. Nearby two plants of Fingered (= Rue-leaved) Saxifrage Saxifraga tridactyles in unusual habitat by a kerb-side at Wilmington Close, Townhill Park.
18th April: The fungus Peziza vesiculosa found on horse manure at a garden at Newtown Road, Weston Park.
17th April: Colony of about 20 plants of the Grape Hyacinth Muscari neglectum at Marston Road at Thornhill.
16th April: Report of 100 specimens of the False Morel Gyromitra esculenta at an undisclosed location at Wellow but presumably under conifers. 16th April: A Hornbeam Tree Carpinus betulus (now in bloom) seen by minor road east of Brockishill Green near to Cadnam. Purple Toothwort Lathraea clandestine now in bloom and still spreading at Monk's Brook Greenway.
14th April; Two more naturalised plants of interest, neither in bloom, on the edge of Donkey Common, Bitterne. These were Pick-a-Back Plant Tolmeia menziesii and Rock Crane's-bill Geranium macrorhizum.
10th April: Large colony of Wild Daffodil Narcissus pseudonarcissus found at Moorgreen meadows close to Tollbar Way. 9th April: Some interesting new botanical records (all naturalised species) including Portugal Laurel Prunus lusitanica at Hum Hole, Bay Laurus nobilis at Deep Dene and Italian Cuckoo Pint Arum italicum ssp. italicum at Donkey Common.
8th April: A moss picked up on the south facing grassy slopes at Southbourne was later identified as Scleropodium tourettii - a new 10km square record. 8th April: Some botanical records of interest from Boscombe to Southbourne at Bournemouth – noted in the Field Meeting reports. Nothing new of major significance although Spring Vetch Vicia lathyroides seen on recee at Southbourne on 4th April.5th April: An unidentified species of Acaena (Pirri-pirri Bur) naturalised under a hedge at Burke Drive, Thornhill.3rd April: Not very good for fungi so far this spring but a dehydrated morel Morchella elata seen on bark mulch at Caerleon Drive, Bitterne.2nd April: Most of the usual spring flora including Summer Snowflake Leucojum aestivum in bloom in So’ton old Cemetery but no sign of Hoop Petticoat Daffodil Narcissus bulbocodium reported last year. A small self-sown Sawara Cypress Chamaecyparis pisifera in a log by Cemetery Road.28th March: Poet’s Laurel Laurus nobilis was discovered as a self-sown bush at Wildern Wild Park, Hedge End. Some significant quantities of Cherry Plum Prunus cerasifera in bloom at last. Good displays of Colt’s-foot Tussilago farfara along the River Itchen at Allbrook.21st March: Cherry Plum Prunus cerasifera in bloom near to the Barge River at Romsey. This was the first one seen this year as far as we are aware and not far behind Blackthorn. 15th March: Wild Daffodils Narcissus pseudonarcissus in bloom in Southampton Old Cemetery. Report of Hoop Petticoat Daffodil Narcissus bulbocodium here last year but not yet up in 2006. 12th March: 28 species of moss and 8 species of liverwort seen on the Field Meeting at Ashurst and Buskett’s Inclosure. The highlight was a colony of the moss Cryphaea heteromalla on the branch of an old Beech Fagus at Buskett’s Inclosure. Also the lichen Normandina pulchellum was seen on an adjacent Beech trunk. 12th March: A spectacular colony of Apple Moss Batramia pomiformis on a sandy bank at the south end of Bartley Village, near to Cadnam.11th March: A new colony of Hairy Garlic Allium subhirsutum found in the woods behind Archery Grove, Mayfield Park. This was adjacent to a well-established colony of Three-cornered Leek Allium triquetrum. Golden Saxifrage Chrysosplenium oppositifolium also just about coming to bloom at this site. 5th March: Scarlet Elf Cup Sarcoscypha sp seen at Titchfield Haven.4th March: A few flowers such as Snowdrop, Red Deadnettle, Lesser Celandine and Persian Speedwell in bloom at Nursling and Testwood.
21st February: Coltsfoot Tussilago farfara in bloom at Hayling Oyster Beds. Probably at lease 50 plants of Stinking Hellebore Helleborus foetidum seen on the south facing bank of the M27 near to Portchester.
18th February: An unusual site of Winter Heliotrope Petasites fragrans in the New Forest along the west side of the A337 near to Minstead. Spectacular displays of the 'red soldier' or 'devil's matchsticks' lichen on stumps in Holidays Hill Inclosure. Also self-sown conifers here including Western Hemlock-spruce Tsuga heterophylla.
18th February: The usual spectacular display of Snowdrop Galanthus nivalis at St Margaret's Churchyard, East Wellow (where Florence Nightingale is buried). Also seen here (in bloom) was Barren Strawberry Potentilla sterilis, Early Crocus Crocus tommasinianus and Bethlehem-Sage Pulmonaria saccharata. The moss Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus is more abundant than grass in this churchyard. 12th February: Large colony of the alien Hairy Garlic Allium subhirsutum seems to have appeared spontaneously at Silverdale Road. It was not in bloom and was identified by the hairy edge to the leaves. 12th February: Some Cauliflower Fungus Sparassis crispa seen at the base of a Douglas Fir at Blackwater Carpark - seen on the Field Meeting. 9th February: Primrose noted in bloom at Swanwick Reserve on one shady clay bank.
Over 50 species of Bryophytes (mosses and liverworts) seen on a survey here.9th February: A rare liverwort Pallavicinia lyellii still exists in wet Alder woodland at Warsash Common. This appears to be it's only site in Hampshire outside the New Forest. 29th January: First report of Lesser Celandine. Thus was seen at the Field Meeting at Southampton Old Cemetery. The Greater Snowdrop here is also now in bloom . Other records from this meeting appear in the Field Meetings report.
19th January: Snowdrops in bloom in woodland at Baffin's Pond, Portsmouth.
14th January: Hard Fern Blechnum spicant seen in Kendall's Wood, although it occurs in nearby Harefield Gully, I wasn't aware of it's presence here. Also I discovered a fungus parasitic on the old, decaying brackets of Razor Strop Piptoporus betulina namely Hypocrea pulvinata.
11th January: A surprising variety of fungi under sallows at Peewit Hill including one of the 'knight caps' Tricholoma cingulatum. The Goblet Toadstool Clitocybe cyathiformis seen at Sedgewick Road, Sholing.
8th January: Still some late fungi such as Clouded Agaric Clitocybe nebularis and Oyster Mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus near to the Cowherd's, Southampton Common.
4th January: A new site for Musk Stork's-bill Erodium moschatum found at Fairfax Court, Thornhill.
2005
31st December: Oxford Ragwort in bloom at Bitterne Manor.29th December: Wood Blewit Lepista nuda at Allington Wood.
26th December: Hazel in bloom at Mill Lane, Nursling. A few fungi in the Nursling area including Psathyrella multipedata at Home Covert and Red Funnelcap Clitocybe inversa near Nursling Sub-station.
25th December: Still quite a number of fungi at Southampton Old Cemetery such as Wood Blewit Lepista nuda, Wood Mushroom Agaricus silvicola, Red Funnelcap Clitocybe inversa and most interestingly (under cypress) the funnelcap Clitocybe squamulosa. Some tatty Yarrow and Ox-eye Daisy in bloom here but the Winter Heliotrope is late.
18th December: Bryophyte survey at Hillier’s Gardens, Ampfield. At least 43 species recorded including the moss Cryphaea heteromalla on elder and the alien liverwort Lophocolea bispinosa. The latter comes from New Zealand. Still a few fungi about here including Clouded Funnel Cap [ital
|
