Flowering plants and ferns

Chamomile is a mat-forming speciesA group of similar organisms that can breed and exchange genes. More which grows in seasonally wet, acid grassland that is generally tightly and heavily grazed. It‘s often associated with village greens, road verges, seasonally-flooded trackways and the margins of seasonal pools.

Chamomile is declining quickly in the UK. Its distribution is now largely confined to lowland areas of southern England, Ireland and Wales. SW Dartmoor Downs is a stronghold but a few outliers are found on the south Devon coast and dunes at Northam Burrows.

Cornish eyebright is an endangered annual speciesA group of similar organisms that can breed and exchange genes. More that grows in well-grazed heathlands and mires on the edge of Dartmoor. It’s more common in Cornwall and very rare at other sites in Devon. It’s known at Roborough Down, Lydford High Down and at Shapley Common. within East Dartmoor SSSISite of Special Scientific Interest More.

Numbers can fluctuate wildly depending on site conditions. Lydford High Down supported 21,000 plants in 2002 but only between 250 and 350 plants annually in the decades since. This decline is thought to reflect less grazing and taller grassland and heathland vegetation.

Marsh clubmoss is not a moss but a type of fern. It first appeared on earth about 400 million years ago and most members of its family are now extinct. It’s one of 13 plant speciesA group of similar organisms that can breed and exchange genes. More that the SpeciesA group of similar organisms that can breed and exchange genes. More Recovery Trust is trying to save by 2050.

Marsh clubmoss was once widespread across wet heaths and mires but is now only found in very low numbers in around 100 heathland sites across England and Wales with a stronghold in the New Forest. In Devon it’s only found on old china clay pits in this area –  Cadover, Headon Down CWSCounty Wildlife Site More and Smallhanger Waste CWSCounty Wildlife Site More. The Smallhanger Waste site is within the Lee Moor china clay quarry and at threat from extraction. The Cadover site may be at threat from fishing lake developments. 

Irish lady’s-tresses has only ever been recorded from one site in England, at Whitchurch Down near Tavistock in west Devon,  where it grew in wet acid valley mire. Six plants were discovered here (and new to England) in July 1957, reaching a maximum population of 22 flowering plants in 1986. However, since four plants flowered in August 1993, it may have disappeared from this site. It’s relatively widely scattered in western Scotland, and discovered new to Wales from a single site in Ceredigion in July 2019.

In Devon, field gentian was probably confined to bristle bent and western gorse heathland. It’s been recorded at a scattering of sites from Meldon to Ivybridge but the last records were from Roborough Down in 1994-96. Nationally it’s mainly found in the uplands of Scotland and the north of England. It’s now very rare in southern England and outside the New Forest has only been seen in seven sites since 2000.

Forked spleenwort is only known from the Canonteign Forest near Hennock (now managed by the Forestry Commission).  Only a few plants survive making this speciesA group of similar organisms that can breed and exchange genes. More arguably the rarest plant speciesA group of similar organisms that can breed and exchange genes. More in Devon, and perhaps south-west England. 

Forked spleenwort is nationally scarce with fewer than ten colonies in England, although it’s more widespread in central and north Wales and Scotland. 

Toadflax-leaved St John’s wort grows on metamorphic rocks in heathland with an abundance of bare ground. It’s a nationally threatened speciesA group of similar organisms that can breed and exchange genes. More and most of the British population is found in the Teign valley. Most colonies (around 15) occur on rocks in the woodlands from Steps Bridge to Drewsteignton and in good seasons populations can be in the low thousands. A group of rare spiders are also found along this stretch of the Teign gorge. 

Toadflax-leaved St John’s wort is also found in Cannonteign Forest growing with the forked spleenwort. Other known sites are one in the Dart valley, two on Devon’s southern coast, two in Cornwall and two isolated populations in North Wales.

Toadflax-leaved St John’s wort can reproduce freely from buried seed in open or coppiced woodlands, but will easily decline and disappear if sites become overgrown and shady.  

Heath lobelia is generally found in open wet acid grasslands and heathlands in the south of England. Heavy winter grazing by cattle or ponies prevent shading and creates bare soil where the seeds can germinate. Seeds can persist for long period in the soil and so it is possible to restore old sites.

It’s only found in seven sites as a native speciesA group of similar organisms that can breed and exchange genes. More, two of which are in Devon.  In the 19^th century health lobelia extended over a large area of heathland on Shute Common in east Devon. Most of this habitatThe natural environment in which an animal, plant or other organism lives. More has been lost to conifers and dairy farming and it is now only found in a small area of species-rich wet grassland in a garden and is being re-introduced at nearby Kilmington Common.

In south Devon it is restricted to Andrews Wood SSSISite of Special Scientific Interest More which has the largest population in the world.  It used to grow at Stanton Moor.

A small endangered winter annual that grows in shallow nutrient poor pools and muddy hollows. Perfect microhabitats include rutted tracks and gaps in walls and hedges where stock move between fields.

Its stronghold was north Devon culm grasslands between Hatherleigh and the Cornish border. It was thought to be extinct but was found at Bridge Moor (west of Holsworthy) in 2000. This small population remains very vulnerable.  It has also been found at Dunsdon Farm SSSISite of Special Scientific Interest More (a DWT reserve) and is possibly at Gittisham CWSCounty Wildlife Site More in east Devon.

Pennyroyal is an endangered speciesA group of similar organisms that can breed and exchange genes. More. It grows on the edges of ponds and in heavily grazed damp pastures and heaths with bare ground. Since 1990, it has been recorded in six sites in Devon, including Bovey Heathfield SSSISite of Special Scientific Interest More (it was previously found at other heathland sites in this area) and Chapel Hill SSSISite of Special Scientific Interest More, Braunton. Interestingly, it has also been found in dry clifftop grasslands near Hallsands on the south Devon coast.

Yellow centaury is found in grazed lowland heathland in the same microhabitats as pennyroyal. It can also occasionally be found along forestry rides, on coastal cliffs and dune slacks. In Devon, yellow centaury has only ever been found at two sites and was last recorded in 2003 at Meddon Green Local Nature Reserve near Hartland in north Devon which is managed by the Parish Council.

Consultation Q for the parish – is it still there?

The greater butterfly-orchid is widely scattered across Devon. However, it’s absent or very rare in large parts of the county, such as the culm of north Devon where it’s being replaced by the lesser butterfly-orchid (Platanthera bifolia), which is itself in fast decline (see above). 

The greater butterfly-orchid is found in grasslands on well-drained base-rich soils. Dartmoor’s meadows and pastures are now a stronghold, particularly on the enclosed lowlands between the rivers Teign and Dart. It is also found in low numbers in other areas, such as the east Devon coast.

The frog orchid is a threatened speciesA group of similar organisms that can breed and exchange genes. More. Although never common, it was once widely scattered in short acid pasture across Devon. It is now only known from one Dartmoor haymeadow (designated a SSSISite of Special Scientific Interest More). 

Wood bitter-vetch grows on field boundaries and among boulders in grazed fields. It’s very rare in south-west England and Devon supports roughly 33% of the region’s population. It’s currently only found at two sites in Devon. 

Green-winged orchid is characteristic of old, unimproved meadows and pastures on base-rich to mildly acidic soils. It’s largely found in south Devon, from the Dart to the Otter (including good numbers on the coastal National Trust sites outside Exmouth). The Teign Valley is thought to be a stronghold.

Green-winged orchids seem resistant to colonising new ground and continue to decline in old sites. However, Devon does still boast a few large colonies.

A striking arable wildflower recognisable by its vivid blue flowers. It grows in freely-draining and relatively acidic soils, usually occurring in autumn-sown crops.

Cornflower is very rare in Devon with a few records from south Devon (coastal fields near Dartmouth), arable land west of Crediton and a new record near the north coast. This speciesA group of similar organisms that can breed and exchange genes. More is often included in  ‘wildflower’ mixes including in the Ludwell Valley, Exeter.

Usually found on the compacted, disturbed and seasonally wet soils of field gateways. It gets its name from the tiny, tail-like appearance of its seed heads, which resemble the tail of a mouse. In Devon mousetail is largely found to the north-west of Colyton but also occurs east of Exmouth, in the Clyst Valley and near Musbury.

Generally found in autumn-sown arable crops on freely-draining sandy soils.  Since 2000, it has only been seen in a field between Credition and Tedburn St Mary and in three fields between Braunton and Braunton Burrows.

This flower gets its name from its sticky, glandular hairs, which can trap small insects. It grows in open spring-cultivated stony, free-draining, acidic arable fields and also on unstable soft-rock cliffs. Since 2000, it’s been recorded from several sites between Exeter and Plymouth, especially in the coastal arable between Dartmouth and Thurlestone. It’s also recently been found near Clovelly in North Devon.

Most often found on freely-draining calcareous soils, especially near the coast. It’s more common in spring-sown crops and is usually found in species-rich field margins with plants such as small-flowered catchfly, weasel’s snout and corn marigold. Since 2000, most records are from the Teign Valley between Chudleigh and Cheriton Bishop and from the south coast between Salcombe and Dartmouth. It is now largely absent from north Devon.

Similar habitatThe natural environment in which an animal, plant or other organism lives. More requirements to the narrow-fruited cornsalad but can also grow on heavier calcareous clays. It grows in species-rich field margins on a farm near Dartmouth, where it’s managed under an agri-environment agreement. Plantlife has also introduced it to a field near Salcombe.

Nottingham catchfly is a long-lived speciesA group of similar organisms that can breed and exchange genes. More found in freely-draining, stony habitatsThe natural environment in which an animal, plant or other organism lives. More on chalk and limestone and on coastal shingle. In Devon, it’s been recorded between Salcombe Mouth and Beer Head, Beer and Seaton Hole, and the Axmouth-Lyme Regis Undercliffs. It’s the only plant white spot moth larvae eat so is vital for the moths’ survival.

Early gentian thrives in lightly cattle grazed, species-rich calcareous grasslands.  It seems to prefer a mosaic of turf heights and bare soil, which allow germination. Seeds are likely to remain dormant in the soil for several years.

The only reliable records in Devon are from a clifftop plateau at Rousdon in the  Axmouth to Lyme Regis NNR.  It was last seen in 2016, but numbers fluctuate hugely from year to year. The Berry Head population has not been re-found. There have been no records at Braunton since 1995, and if it is there, it may be a hybridA hybrid is created when a plant or animal is mixed (hybridised) with a plant or animal of a differe... More with the other gentian speciesA group of similar organisms that can breed and exchange genes. More that occur nearby.

Occurs in calcareous grasslands and coastal sand dunes. It’s been recorded around Braunton and at Beer Head on the east Devon coast.

A perennial orchid primarily found in sunny, wet, open areas in cattle grazed calcareous flushes and fens. It’s currently known from three sites in Devon: Culverhole Point on the Axmouth-Lyme Regis undercliffs, Springhead Fen SSSISite of Special Scientific Interest More near Axmouth and wet dune slacks at Braunton Burrows. The three Devon sites are among only seven in south-west England. Threats include scrubLand with thick vegetation that includes wildflowers, grasses, shrubs and trees of different ages an... More encroachment and pollution.

Pale St John’s wort is a perennial speciesA group of similar organisms that can breed and exchange genes. More restricted to calcareous grasslands and scrubLand with thick vegetation that includes wildflowers, grasses, shrubs and trees of different ages an... More edges over both chalk and limestone. It’s tolerant of some shade but prefers open habitatsThe natural environment in which an animal, plant or other organism lives. More and is generally found in lightly grazed grasslands. It’s widespread, but the Devonian limestone of Torbay and Plymouth and the chalk of east Devon’s coast are some of the main areas for this speciesA group of similar organisms that can breed and exchange genes. More in the UK.

Field eryngo is a  perennial speciesA group of similar organisms that can breed and exchange genes. More, recognisable by its spiky, thistle-like appearance. It thrives in grazed, dry, open calcareous grasslands near the coast. Most of the British population is found in six sites in south Devon. Three of these, Western King and Billacombe in Plymouth and Scabbacombe near Brixham, are designated as SSSIs due to the presence of field ernygo. However, it may have been lost from Scabbacombe SSSISite of Special Scientific Interest More now, but can be found in an adjacent field.

This threatened speciesA group of similar organisms that can breed and exchange genes. More is a long-lived herbaceous perennial. The Torbay population is considered the second largest in the British Isles, and is largely confined to the relatively narrow coastal strip immediately south of Berry Head Common, including the cliff slopes around Durl Head, and running south to Kiln House meadow and St Mary’s Bay. 

Small restharrow is a UK Priority SpeciesA group of similar organisms that can breed and exchange genes. More that is legally protected. It’s an annual that thrives on coastal cliffs and slopes and shallow soil accumulations on cliff-slope limestone outcrops. It’s been found at Walls Hill, Berry Head and Sharkham Point, where it grows near the cliff edge where competition from other speciesA group of similar organisms that can breed and exchange genes. More is low.

Honewort is very locally abundant on Berry Head Common, with very small populations towards Durl Head and St Mary’s Bay and at Sharkham Point. Old, unconfirmed records exist for the northern limestones of the bay. Otherwise it’s  only known in Britain from the southern Mendips and Bristol limestones. Because it’s very low growing it’s easily outcompeted. Seeds have a very short viability, so once it dies out it can’t recolonise. 

This tiny annual is confined to two spots on Berry Head, which is one of only two sites in the UK. It’s otherwise only known from the coastal chalk of the South Downs near Beachy Head in Sussex. Given its rarity it’s endangered and legally protected.

White rock-rose is a threatened speces. It’s a delicate, sun-loving, flower that produces distinctive bright white flowers. It’s locally abundant on Berry Head and is also found growing on the northern Torbay coastal limestones, where about 15 separate small populations are known. It’s otherwise only found in Britain in a handful of sites on the Mendip Hills. The speciesA group of similar organisms that can breed and exchange genes. More often germinates well from buried seed and so former sites can be restored through scrubLand with thick vegetation that includes wildflowers, grasses, shrubs and trees of different ages an... More and secondary woodland clearance. 

The only known site in the world for Lundy cabbage is on bare areas of Lundy’s steep cliffs, where it’s widely scattered along the eastern sheltered side of the island. However, the weather can cause annual populations to fluctuate significantly, with 320 and 10,000 plants recorded in different years.   Move this to the Lundy inverts page?

The greatest threat is the spread of invasive common rhododendrons. In controlled numbers, rabbits can help maintain open areas.  The Lundy cabbage weevil and flea beetle live on the Lundy cabbage and so are also only known on Lundy (see Lundy invertebrates).  

This threatened speciesA group of similar organisms that can breed and exchange genes. More is found in lowland dry acidic grassland, coastal sand dunes, maritime cliff and slope. In Devon it’s found in coastal grasslands at Dawlish Warren, Braunton Burrows and between Kingswear and Brixham.

Shore dock is a deep-rooted perennial found on the lower part of sea cliffs, particularly where there are freshwater seepages. Numbers can fluctuate hugely, in part because of storms and cliff falls. South Devon supports perhaps the greatest concentration of populations of this speciesA group of similar organisms that can breed and exchange genes. More in Britain.

There are six known sites between Wembury and Bigbury, most of which have small numbers of plants. However, the best monitored site is Soar Mill Cove where 400 plants were counted in 2009. Sites need to be protected from recreational damage. 

Slender birdsfoot trefoil is a classic speciesA group of similar organisms that can breed and exchange genes. More of the south Devon coastal grasslands where it’s often found around rock outcrops or on the edges of the coast path. It’s particularly associated with the stretch between the mouth of the Salcombe Estuary and Start Point. However, it’s also found on steep grassy slopes in the Teign Valley that are kept open by soil slippage and rabbits grazing and is probably more common in Devon that anywhere else in Britain. As with other speciesA group of similar organisms that can breed and exchange genes. More, declines are due to lack of grazing or burning and encroachment of scrubLand with thick vegetation that includes wildflowers, grasses, shrubs and trees of different ages an... More and gorse.   

Bithynian vetch is a nationally scarce, annual plant found on grassland on south-facing slopes of soft eroding sea cliffs and other freely draining sites near the coast. It’s been recorded in a few sites in and near Exmouth, including Sandy Bay Caravan Park. It was formerly frequent along the non-calcareous cliffs from Torquay to Lyme Regis. It’s not nationally threatened but has declined rapidly across the country and is a flagship speciesA group of similar organisms that can breed and exchange genes. More for the coast between Exmouth and Sidmouth.

Sea stock grows in open sand in foredunes, usually on the first ridge of yellow dunes. It is abundant at Braunton Burrows where 5,000 plants were recorded in 2005, making it possibly the largest population in the UK. It’s also found in smaller numbers on the foredunes at Northam Burrows and was recorded at Instow Sands in 1991. It’s otherwise only known from the dunes along the northern shores of the Bristol Channel and from a small population that was recently rediscovered at the mouth of Poole Harbour in Dorset. 

Threats include rabbit grazing and being swamped by sea buckthorn, a particular problem at Instow and Braunton.

Round-headed club-rush grows in seasonally-flooded dune slacks and can form a crescent of plants when the wind blows seed to the inland side of the slacks.

It’s abundant at Braunton Burrows (thousands of plants), but is otherwise only known from Berrow Dunes in Somerset where there is one plant. Threats include cattle grazing (it is very palatable) and lack of regeneration from seed due to a lack of bare ground.

Water germander is another speciesA group of similar organisms that can breed and exchange genes. More that grows in seasonally-flooded dune slacks, particularly where grazing, vehicle activity and natural dune erosion reduce competition from other plants.  

It’s native to England and is confined to a handful of sites in the East Anglian fens and Devon. Water germander is well established at Braunton, although it’s undergone a massive decline. It’s severely threatened and rare at Northam Burrows.

Warren crocus is a threatened speciesA group of similar organisms that can breed and exchange genes. More which grows on short turf on sandy grassland. It’s only known from two sites in Britain, one in Cornwall and the other at Dawlish Warren dunes.

Triangular club-rush has always been a rare and very localised speciesA group of similar organisms that can breed and exchange genes. More in the UK. It’s a tussock-forming perennial that once grew on open, upper estuarineOf or found where large rivers join the sea. More mudbanks of the Thames, Meday, Tamar and Arun.  As areas became colonised by reeds such as Phragmites australis triangular club-rush declined.

It is now only found on the Tamar near Bere Alston but this population is very vulnerable and the last clump was recorded in 2010. Kew began reintroductions in the 1980s, planting  seeds at several sites in 1997, 1998 and 2010 between Morwhelham in  Devon and Cotehele in Cornwall, and it may still survive at some sites.  The upper tidal reaches of estuaries may be threatened in the future by rising sea levels as a result of climate change. 

Consultation Q – who is managing the re-intros and knows the current situation?

Divided sedge is typically found in damp, coastal grasslands and grazing marshes. It thrives in areas with seasonally wet soils and low-intensity grazing, such as estuarineOf or found where large rivers join the sea. More fringes and wet meadows. Divided sedge is rare and although it was recently recorded in the Otter Estuary, it’s not known if it’s still there or could be restored.

Dwarf spike-rush is a nationally threatened small perennial plant that grows on exposed mud in the upper tidal reaches of estuaries. It has recently been lost from sites in north Wales and the south coast of England and is now only found at three sites in England. In Devon it was on the Teign and Avon but the last record at either site was on the Avon near Aveton Gifford in 2010. 

Dwarf spike-rush relies on open sites maintained by grazing or other disturbance.