| Kingdom Plantae
2000 provided a massive increase in my knowledge of and confidence
with plants, although still a long way to go. The Norfolk Flora was,
as last year, an invaluable guide.
Phylum Algae
Live seaweeds were few and far between, with Norfolk being pretty
poor for this group. Most of the species below were identified by
Rich Fuller (RAF) for me from specimens washed up on beaches.
Class Chlorophyceae
Enteromorpha sp.
Noted at Pagham Harbour on 6/5 (RAF).
Class Phaeophyceae
Laminaria saccharina
Washed up on the shore at Selsey Bill on 6/5 (RAF). Unidentified Laminaria
spp. were also recorded elsewhere.
Fucus serratus (Toothed Wrack)
Washed up on the shore at Climping Gap on 19/3 (RAF).
Fucus vesiculosus (Bladder Wrack)
The most widespread seaweed recorded, first noted washed up at Horsey
on 13/2 and then widespread.
Ascophyllum nodosum (Knotted Wrack)
Recorded at Church Norton on 6/5 (RAF).
Class Rhodophyceae
Chondrus crispus (Irish Moss)
Washed up at Climping Gap on 19/3 (RAF).
Phylum Bryophyta
Mosses were an area of natural history which was left mostly unexplored,
although could have probably provided many additional species. Apart
from the one identified species, a moss at Weston Big Wood on 11/11
was thought by JPM probably to be Climacium dendroides.
Thuidium tamariscinum
Pointed out to me at The Nunnery on 9/2.
Phylum Pteridophyta
Class Equisetopsida
Family Equisetaceae
Equisetum fluviatile (Water Horsetail)
Recorded at Rockland Broad on 15/4, in the same place as last year's
(presumably erroneous) record of Marsh Horsetail.
Equisetum arvense (Field Horsetail)
First noted at Rockland Broad on 15/4, although then quite widespread.
Equisetum palustre (Marsh Horsetail)
Identified at Whitlingham by the riverside on 22/4.
Class Pteropsida
Family Osmundaceae
Osmunda regalis (Royal Fern)
Recorded at Hickling Broad on 29/5 and later in the summer also at
Horsey Dunes.
Family Polypodiaceae
Polypodium vulgare (Polypody)
Polypodium interjectum (Intermediate Polypody)
Polypody spp. were observed commonly throughout Norfolk and elsewhere.
However, the Norfolk Flora states that P.vulgare is the common species
on sand-dunes whereas P.interjectum is by far the commoner species
on walls. Therefore, records from Horsey (and Minsmere) and The Nunnery
respectively were presumed to represent the two species.
Polypodium cambricum (Western Polypody)
This species was pointed out on the rock-faces of the Avon Gorge by
JPM on 28/5.
Family Dennstaedtiaceae
Pteridium aquilinum (Bracken)
An abundant species, with the first fresh shoots recorded at Mousehold
Heath on 2/4.
Family Thelypteridaceae
Thelypteris palustris (Marsh Fern)
Recorded from Woodbastwick Fen on 11/6.
Family Aspleniaceae
Phyllitis scolopendrium (Hart's-tongue Fern)
First noted in Whitlingham Woods on 12/2 but scarce in Norfolk (no
other records?) Much more widespread elsewhere, such as in Bristol,
Devon and Yorkshire.
Asplenium adiantum-nigrum (Black Spleenwort)
First noted on the weir in Thetford on 1/2, with more records elsewhere
in the UK.
Asplenium trichomanes (Maidenhair Spleenwort)
First noted by Malham Tarn and on Kilnsey Crag on 19/4. Also abundant
on walls in Clevedon in November.
Asplenium viride (Green Spleenwort)
Recorded on a steep-sided rock wall by Malham Tarn Field Studies Centre
on 19/4, on the opposite side of the path to a wall with Maidenhair
Spleenwort.
Asplenium ruta-muraria (Wall-rue)
First noted on a bridge at Waltham Brooks on 18/3, then discovered
in Thetford near Roy's and also on the Nun's Bridges. Further records
from Porlock, Malham and Clevedon.
Ceterach officinarum (Rusty-back Fern)
First recorded in the Avon Gorge on 28/5. Also common on walls in
Clevedon in November.
Family Dryopteridaceae
Polystichum setiferum (Soft Shield-fern)
Shield-ferns proved somewhat difficult and it may be that both were
recorded. However, the only ones specifically identified were as Soft
Shield-fern at North Burlingham on 13/2, Leigh Woods on 28/5 and Dunston
Common on 31/5.
Polystichum lonchitis (Holly-fern)
Recorded on the hillside above Glenshee ski-lift on 1/9.
Dryopteris filix-mas (Male-fern)
A widespread species, recorded from Caistor Fort on 25/1, Leigh Woods
on 28/5 and Weston Big Wood on 11/11, though mostly unrecorded.
Dryopteris carthusiana (Narrow Buckler-fern)
Identified to a fair degree of certainty at Two Mile Bottom on 23/8.
Dryopteris dilatata (Broad Buckler-fern)
Apparently widespread and fairly common, with records from Dunston
Common, Walberswick, Horsey, Rishbeth and Leigh Woods amongst others.
Family Blechnaceae
Blechnum spicant (Hard-fern)
Recorded only the Quantocks at Dead Women's Ditch on 25/5.
Phylum Spermatophyta
Class Pinopsida
Family Pinaceae
{Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas Fir)}
Noted at the Nunnery Lakes amongst other places but nowhere self-planted.
{Picea abies (Norway Spruce)}
Recorded in a planted state from Whitlingham.
{Larix x marschlinsii (Hybrid Larch)}
Identified in the plantations at Thetford Warren but not self-regenerating.
{Larix kaempferi (Japanese Larch)}
Identified at The Lodge, Sandy, on the shape of the cones, but not
self-planted.
{Cedrus libani (Cedar-of-Lebanon)}
A fine example in Stoke Holy Cross churchyard but not particularly
wild.
Pinus sylvestris (Scots Pine)
Widespread in the Brecks and elsewhere, mostly planted but self-regenerating
also. Native trees seen in Deeside in September also.
Pinus nigra (Corsican Pine)
Mostly planted in the Brecks but self-regenerating trees also seen
around the Nunnery Lakes and Barnhamcross Common.
{Pinus radiata (Monterey Pine)}
Several seen at Fritton Woods on 2/12 but not self-planted?
Family Taxodiaceae
{Sequoiadendron giganteum (Wellingtonia)}
One near Caistor Fort churchyard.
Family Cupressaceae
{Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (Lawson's Cypress)}
Identified in a planted state at Caistor churchyard.
Family Taxaceae
Taxus baccata (Yew)
Widespread, with the first records from The Nunnery and Whitlingham.
The unusual Yew Forest at Kingley Vale was seen during the Sussex
Bird Race on 6/5.
Class Magnoliopsida
Order Laurales
Family Lauraceae
Laurus nobilis (Bay)
A tree of this species was noted on the edge of the Avon Gorge on
28/5, apparently most likely self-seeded according to JPM.
Order Nymphaeales
Family Nymphaeaceae
Nymphaea alba (White Water-lily)
Recorded from Woodbastwick Fen on 11/6 and UEA Lake on 22/6.
Nuphar lutea (Yellow Water-lily)
First noted in flower at Rockland Broad on 4/6.
Order Ranunculales
Family Ranunculaceae
Caltha palustris (Marsh-marigold)
The first in flower was seen at the Nunnery Lakes on 18/2.
Helleborus foetidus (Stinking Hellebore)
Noted on roadside verges at Stoke Holy Cross on 27/2, near the church
and obviously a garden escape.
Eranthus hyemalis (Winter Aconite)
First noted in flower near Framingham Pigot churchyard on 29/1.
Nigella damascena (Love-in-a-mist)
Self-planted in cracks along the edge of our drive, noted 15/7.
Anemone nemorosa (Wood Anemone)
Common at Leathley on 17/4 and 18/4 and in Ashwellthorpe Wood on 21/4.
Clematis vitalba (Traveller's-joy)
First noted (in "fruit") on 23/1 at Whitlingham.
Ranunculus acris (Meadow Buttercup)
First identified at the Avon Gorge on 28/5.
Ranunculus repens (Creeping Buttercup)
Very common in our garden. First noted in flower at Caistor Fort on
23/4. Back in flower at Whitlingham by the end of the year on 9/12.
Ranunculus bulbosus (Bulbous Buttercup)
First noted near Stoke Holy Cross on 24/4.
Ranunculus sardous (Hairy Buttercup)
Recorded on Berney Marshes on 18/6.
Ranunculus sceleratus (Celery-leaved Buttercup)
First noted at Hickling on 29/5 and also at Berney Marshes on 18/6.
Ranunculus lingua (Greater Spearwort)
A large patch of this species at Upton Fen on 22/6.
Ranunculus flammula (Lesser Spearwort)
First noted at Handley Farm on 20/5.
Ranunculus ficaria (Lesser Celandine)
The first flowers were noted at Caistor Fort on 9/2. Still in flower
at Ashwellthorpe Wood on 21/4.
Ranunculus aquatilis (Common Water-crowfoot)
Identified at Wacton Common on 10/6.
Ranunculus peltatus (Pond Water-crowfoot)
Identified at New Buckenham Common on 18/5.
Aquilegia vulgaris (Columbine)
Commonly naturalised in west country lanes, first noted at Waterrow
on 21/5.
Thalictrum flavum (Common Meadow-rue)
Noted at Trowse Meadows on 7/6 and Castle Marshes on 24/6.
Family Berberidaceae
Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon Grape)
First noted Barnhamcross Common on 6/1 - widely naturalised in Norfolk,
especially the Brecks.
Order Papaverales
Family Papaveraceae
Papaver somniferum (Opium Poppy)
Self-seeded at The Nunnery on 13/6.
Papaver rhoeas (Common Poppy)
First noted in flower by Thickthorn roundabout on 16/5.
Papaver dubium (Long-headed Poppy)
Identified on Barnhamcross Common on 5/6.
Meconopsis cambricum (Welsh Poppy)
Seen by roadsides in Devon on 22/5.
Glaucium flavum (Yellow Horned-poppy)
First noted at Climping Gap on 19/3 and also at Walberswick on 1/4.
Chelidonium majus (Greater Celandine)
First noted in flower naturalised in the ruins of The Nunnery on 1/6.
Family Fumariaceae
Pseudofumaria lutea (Yellow Corydalis)
First noted in flower in Thetford on 14/3. Also common on Kilnsey
Crag on 19/4.
Ceratocapnos claviculata (Climbing Corydalis)
First noted at Walberswick on 4/3.
Fumaria officinalis (Common Fumitory)
First seen in flower on Barnhamcross Common on 11/4.
Order Hamamelidales
Family Platanaceae
{Platanus x hispanica (London Plane)}
Widespread in Norwich and also near the mill in Stoke Holy Cross,
presumably all planted.
Order Urticales
Family Ulmaceae
Ulmus glabra (Wych Elm)
Identified at Thetford, Barnhamcross Common and Poringland Woods,
although many elms not easy.
Ulmus procera (English Elm)
One, reduced to a suckering stump, identified by JPM at Climping Gap
on 19/3.
Ulmus minor (Small-leaved Elm)
Identified in Stoke Holy Cross on 22/11 and at Whitlingham on 26/11.
Family Cannabaceae
Humulus lupulus (Hop)
Common along the path to the Nunnery Lakes.
Family Urticaceae
Urtica dioica (Common Nettle)
Common and widespread.
Urtica urens (Small Nettle)
Noted in Potter Heigham car park on 26/3.
Parietaria judaica (Pellitory-of-the-wall)
First noted at Watchet on 24/5 but widespread.
Order Juglandales
Family Juglandaceae
Juglans regia (Walnut)
One growing in an apparently naturalised state at Trowse Woods on
10/7.
Order Fagales
Family Fagaceae
Fagus sylatica (Beech)
Common and widespread.
Castanea sativa (Sweet Chestnut)
Common and widespread.
Quercus cerris (Turkey Oak)
Noted along the edge of the Avon Gorge, probably self-seeded (per
JPM).
Quercus ilex (Evergreen Oak)
Relatively common in Norfolk, including Holkham and Whitlingham.
Quercus petraea (Sessile Oak)
Identified at Lindley on 16/4.
Quercus robur (Pedunculate Oak)
Common and widespread.
{Quercus rubra (Red Oak)}
Probably not naturalised at Fritton Woods.
Family Betulaceae
Betula pendula (Silver Birch)
Common and widespread.
Betula pubescens (Downy Birch)
Probably widely overlooked but identified at Mousehold Heath on 14/12.
Alnus glutinosa (Alder)
Common and widespread.
{Alnus incana (Grey Alder)}
Probably planted at Martin Mere on 24/3.
Carpinus betulus (Hornbeam)
Probably overlooked but noted from Caistor, Poringland and East Wretham.
Corylus avellana (Hazel)
Common and widespread, yellow catkins by the A11 by 12/1 but also
at the end of the year, catkins noted on 11/12 at Hockham Woods and
Dunston Common.
Order Caryophyllales
Family Chenopodiaceae
Chenopodium bonus-henricus (Good-King-Henry)
Identified at Barnhamcross Common on 11/5.
Chenopodium rubrum (Red Goosefoot)
Identified at Lindisfarne on 26/7.
Chenopodium polyspermum (Many-seeded Goosefoot)
Identified at Hoar Gout (Severnside) by JPM on 11/11.
Chenopodium album (Fat-hen)
First noted at Barnhamcross Common on 12/6.
Atriplex prostrata (Spear-leaved Orache)
Identified at Winterton on 16/7.
Atriplex littoralis (Grass-leaved Orache)
Identified at Fenham-le-Moor on 25/7.
Atriplex portulacoides (Sea-purslane)
Noted at Walberswick on 1/4, Porlock on 22/5 and Lindisfarne on 26/7.
Beta vulgaris maritima (Sea Beet)
Noted at Climping Gap on 19/3, Walberswick on 1/4, Porlock on 22/5
and Minsmere on 24/10.
Salicornia sp. (Glasswort sp.)
No effort made to identify these, but genus noted at least at Fenham-le-Moor
on 25/7.
Sueada vera (Shrubby Sea-blite)
Noted at Titchwell on 1/1.
Sueada maritima (Annual Sea-blite)
Noted at Fenham-le-Moor on 25/7.
Family Amaranthaceae
Amaranthus retroflexus (Common Amaranth)
Found at Portishead on 12/11, probably naturalised from bird-seed.
Amaranthus deflexus (Perennial Pigweed)
Noted in Cumberland Basin, Bristol, on 11/11.
Family Portulacaceae
Claytonia perfoliata (Springbeauty)
Common in the Brecks, first flower noted on 21/3 at The Nunnery. Also
present in Stoke Holy Cross by the church.
Family Caryophyllaceae
Arenaria serpyllifolia (Thyme-leaved Sandwort)
Noted on the walls of Caistor Fort on 1/3 and 15/3.
Moehringia trinervia (Three-veined Sandwort)
In flower in the Alder carr behind Bob Clarke lake at the Nunnery
Lakes on 28/4.
Honckenya peploides (Sea Sandwort)
Pointed out by JPM along the beach at Minsmere on 24/10.
Stellaria media (Common Chickweed)
First noted at Mousehold Heath on 30/1 then very common.
Stellaria holostea (Greater Stitchwort)
The first flowers of the spring were noted in our front hedge on 31/1.
Stellaria graminea (Lesser Stitchwort)
Noted in flower at Barnhamcross Common on 31/5.
Stellaria uliginosa (Bog Stitchwort)
Noted at Woodbastwick Fen on 24/4.
Cerastium arvense (Field Mouse-ear)
First noted at the Nunnery Lakes on 27/4.
Cerastium tomentosum (Snow-in-summer)
Naturalised in the Avon Gorge on 28/5 and at Chew Valley Lake on 11/11.
Cerastium fontanum (Common Mouse-ear)
First noted on Barnhamcross Common on 8/5.
Cerastium glomeratum (Sticky Mouse-ear)
Noted at Caistor Fort on 23/4, The Nunnery on 27/4 and the Avon Gorge
on 28/5.
Cerastium diffusum (Sea Mouse-ear)
Noted at Climping Gap on 19/3.
Cerastium semidecandrum (Little Mouse-ear)
Noted at East Wretham Heath on 5/4, Thetford Warren on 7/4 and the
Avon Gorge on 28/5.
Myosoton aquaticum (Water Chickweed)
Recorded from the Nunnery Lakes on 7/7 and Hardley Flood on 16/7.
Sagina procumbens (Procumbent Pearlwort)
Pointed out by JPM on 12/11 at Portishead.
Spergularia media (Greater Sea-spurrey)
Noted at Breydon Water on 18/6.
Spergularia marina (Lesser Sea-spurrey)
Noted at Breydon Water on 18/6.
Spergularia rubra (Sand Spurrey)
Noted at Thetford Warren on 23/6 and on Lindisfarne on 26/7.
Lychnis flos-cuculi (Ragged-Robin)
First recorded from Handley Farm on 20/5.
Agrostemma githago (Corncockle)
Noted in a naturalised state in Rockland Broad car park on 13/7.
Silene vulgaris (Bladder Campion)
First noted at the Nunnery Lakes on 16/5.
Silene uniflora (Sea Campion)
First noted at Wain's Hill on 20/5.
Silene latifolia (White Campion)
First noted by roadsides near Cley on 5/5.
Silene dioica (Red Campion)
First flower noted in Whitlingham Woods on 3/2.
Order Polygonales
Family Polygonaceae
Persicaria bistorta (Common Bistort)
Recorded at Waterrow on 21/5 and at Lopham Fen on 25/8.
Persicaria amphibia (Amphibious Bistort)
First noted in flower at UEA on 22/6.
Persicaria maculosa (Redshank)
First noted at Hickling Broad on 29/5.
Persicaria lapathifolia (Pale Persicaria)
Identified (somewhat tentatively) at Whitlingham on 26/6.
Fagopyrum esculentum (Buckwheat)
Pointed out by JPM as a bird-seed alien at Portishead on 12/11.
Polygonum arenastrum (Equal-leaved Knotgrass)
Tentatively identified on the edge of Barnhamcross Common on 22/8.
Polygonum aviculare (Knotgrass)
First noted on 11/7 at the Nunnery Lakes.
Fallopia japonica (Japanese Knotweed)
Invasive in the woods behind Porlock on 22/5.
Fallopia convolvulus (Black-bindweed)
First noted near Kenninghall on 30/6.
Rumex acetosella (Sheep's Sorrel)
First noted at Winterton on 5/3 (although not in flower by this date).
Rumex acetosa (Common Sorrel)
First noted on Barnhamcross Common on 8/5.
Rumex hydrolapathum (Water Dock)
Noted first in the Little Ouse by the Nunnery on 17/2, though small
at this stage.
Rumex crispus (Curled Dock)
First recorded Climping Gap on 19/3 (although probably before then
also.)
Rumex conglomeratus (Clustered Dock)
Noted on Shotesham Common on 1/6.
Rumex sanguineus (Wood Dock)
Noted near Waterrow on 21/5.
Rumex pulcher (Fiddle Dock)
Noted in the Avon Gorge (Clifton side) on 28/5.
Rumex obtusifolius (Broad-leaved Dock)
First recorded at Benacre on 19/2 although common and widespread.
Order Plumbaginales
Family Plumbaginaceae
Limonium vulgare (Common Sea-lavender)
Identified at Berney Marshes on 18/6.
Armeria maritima (Thrift)
First noted at Porlock on 22/5. Also Lindisfarne on 26/7.
Order Theales
Family Clusiaceae
Hypericum androsaemum (Tutsan)
Noted in the Avon Gorge on 28/5.
Hypericum perforatum (Perforate St John's-wort)
First noted in the small "nature reserve" by Tesco's at
Harford Bridge, although leaves only then. More widespread later.
Hypericum tetrapterum (Square-stalked St John's-wort)
Noted near The Nunnery (by R Thet) on 2/6 and at the Nunnery Lakes
on 21/8.
Hypericum humifusum (Trailing St John's-wort)
Recorded at Brettenham Heath on 2/6 and 23/6.
Hypericum pulchrum (Slender St John's-wort)
Recorded from Barnhamcross Common on 7/6 and at Bramerton on 2/7.
Order Malvales
Family Tiliaceae
{Tilia platyphyllos (Large-leaved Lime)}
Recorded from Harling Woods (The Gallops) on 27/8 but unlikely to
be native.
Tilia x europaea (Lime)
Noted at Thrigby Wildlife Park on 5/3 and Surlingham Church Marsh
on 4/6, but also at Poringland Woods on 14/10 where appeared to be
self-seeded.
Tilia cordata (Small-leaved Lime)
First noted in Leigh Woods on 28/5. Also Hockering Woods on 23/9.
Family Malvaceae
Malva moschata (Musk-mallow)
Recorded on Barnhamcross Common on 20/6.
Malva sylvestris (Common Mallow)
First flowers noted at The Nunnery on 1/6.
Malva neglecta (Dwarf Mallow)
Recorded at Whitlingham CP on 18/7.
Lavatera arborea (Tree-mallow)
Noted in a naturalised state at Porlock on 22/5.
Alcea rosea (Hollyhock)
Naturalised by roadsides near Trowse on 9/7.
Order Nepenthales
Family Droseraceae
Drosera rotundifolia (Round-leaved Sundew)
Found at Buxton Heath on 3/6.
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