Llanelli Naturalists Newsletter - July 2008
Richard Price

This year's report is not as comprehensive as I would have hoped but, all the same, is still able to show that the enthusiasm shown by recorders remains as high as ever. All corners of the vice-county (vc) were visited during the season and many new records were made.

Coastal Records

Early in the year an unsuccessful search was made for both Mibora minima (Early Sand-grass) and Hornungia petraea (Hutchinsia) which both grow on Whiteford Burrows in Glamorgan, only c 5km from potentially suitable habitat at Pembrey. The dune systems at Laugnarne and Tywyn Burrows as well as Pembrey were scoured by George Hutchinson (GH), Trevor Crosby and RDP but it would appear that rabbit activity is not intense enough to produce the exact conditions that the plants require.

During the July meeting of the MoD Pendine Conservation Group, members refound Viola hirta (Hairy Violet), the first vcr for nearly twenty years (SN242079). Later the same day a very small, non-flowering, Ranunculus plant was found which it was hoped would turn out to be R. tripartitus (Three-lobed Crowfoot) (SN311072) However, later careful examination by GH at the National Museum of Wales (NMW) showed that the specimen was R. sardous (Hairy Buttercup), the third vcr and a species that has only been recorded once since c1960. Philip Jones, who frequently walks over Pembrey Burrows, reported another very prolific year for Orchis morio (Green-winged Orchid) but also recorded a new station for Ophrys apifera (Bee Orchid) when he discovered one spike on the "Lifeboat Dunes" (SN427002) on 10 June. It was in seed by 30 June. This is the sixth vc site, five of which are probably extant. He also reported a good number of specimens of Linaria supina (Prostrate Toadflax) at a new site, growing on disturbed ground near a new football field in Burry Port (SN453008).

On 17 August, John Rees (JR), GH and RDP met at East Marsh below Sir John's Hill, Laugharne primarily to record the aquatic flora of the pills and ponds. Generally speaking, the diversity was disappointing due to the adjacent intensity of farming. The most abundant species was Potamogeton pectinatus (Fennel Pondweed) which grew in many pills (eg SN290094). One pond, which was fenced from farm stock, proved to be the richest (SN304086) and supported both Ceratophyllum demersum (Rigid Hornwort) and C. submersum (Soft Hornwort), together with Hippuris vulgaris (Mare's-tail) and Potamogeton natans (Broad-leaved Pondweed). Another narrow-leaved pondweed collected from a few sites was later determined by C.D.Preston (CDP) as P. pusillus (Lesser Pondweed).

The first vcr of Molinia caerulea subsp. arundinacea (a subspecies of Purple Moor-grass) was confirmed by GH from material collected near the Witchett Pool on Laugharne Burrows (SN283077) (coll. GH & Ian Morgan (lKM), 1992) and the second record was also confirmed by GH from a specimen from near the southeast corner of the Lower Lliedi Reservoir, Llanelli (SN519033) (coll. lKM, conf. GH, 1992).

Early in the year GH found what he suspected to be three old Populus nigra subsp. betulifolia (Black Poplar) trees by Dyfatty Marsh, Burry Port (SN454008). This was an exciting culmination to the research that he and lKM had been undertaking in order to plot the locations of the different Populus taxa growing in the district. Arthur Chater (AOC) has since confirmed the identification.

Organised Meetings

There were two BSBI recording meetings during the year. The first, based at Ferryside and held in mid-June, was led by GH. Under-recorded tetrads in the west and north of the vc were visited on the Saturday and several notable records were made. Ten spikes of Platanthera chlorantha (Greater Butterfly Orchid), 50+ of Dactylorhiza praetermissa (Southern Marsh-orchid) and Dryopteris carthusiana (Narrow Buckler-fern) were found growing in an unimproved meadow 5km north of Nantgaredig (SN487268) by Jean Green who also reported lsolepis setacea (Bristle Club-rush) and Polygonatum multiflorum (Solomon's Seal) from the same tetrad. GH and J.A.Gibson also recorded P. multi florum in SN12H and SN12M. John Killick (HJK) discovered Geum rivale (Water Avens) in a wood below Hafod Farm (SN666215) and a nearby mire had Pinguicula vulgaris (Common Butterwort) and Scutellaria minor (Lesser Skullcap). The whole party spent the Sunday monitoring the notable species growing on Tywyn Burrows (SN30R & SN30S). This has been written-up by the leader and will appear elsewhere (Hutchinson, 1994).

The second recording weekend was based at Lampeter from 30 July to 2 August. On the Saturday, some superb streamside flushes were discovered by John and Margaret Humphrey (J&MH) and RDP at Cwm Iar, Llanllwni (SN508395) supporting extensive stands of Eleocharis multicaulis (Many-stalked Spike-rush) in company with, for instance, Rhynchospora alba (White Beak-sedge), Hypericum elodes (Bog St. John's-wort) and Drosera rotundifolia (Common Sundew). In addition, Asplenium trichomanes subsp. trichomanes (Maidenhair Spleenwort) (conf. GH) was discovered in the same tetrad, growing in the vicinity of Phegopteris connectilis (Beech Fern) on an acid streamside crag at SN519397. The following day, J&MH visited SN64D accompanied by James and Mary (lift (J&MI) and again they discovered some good flushes with, for instance, Hypericum elodes and Veronica scutellata (Marsh Speedwell) (cSN610461). Most remarkable, however, was the noticeable absence of Pteridiurn aquilinum (Bracken) throughout the tetrad, a fact borne out by Arthur Chafer (AOC) when he visited the square in 1985. J&MI also spent a day and a half in the Twrch Valley south of Llyn y Gwaith where they recorded wetland habitats with Potentilla palustris (Marsh Cinquefoil) and Vaccinium oxycoccus (Cranberry). AOC and RDP made the first vcr of the hybrid Holly llex x altaclerensis (=1. aquifolium x perado) (det. AOC), an isolated tree of which was growing on an exposed, boundary bank near Gelli Dewi, south of Cwmann (SN583444). Habitats within the tetrad ranged from bog with Vaccinium oxycoccus and Scutellaria minor (cSN584443) to dry grassland with Campanula rotundifolia (Hairbell) and Viola lutea (Mountain Pansy) (cSN589442) and a hedge close to the derelict farmstead of Pantmaenog (SN593444) was dominated by Laburnum alpinum (Scotch Laburnum). GH & Jim Bevan (JB) also found this species near Llanybydder (SN538419). AOC also visited SN53J and his very thorough records included Eleogiton fluitans (Floating Club-rush) (SN527397) and in company with Peter Jones he discovered Equisetum sylvaticum (Wood Horsetail) on extensive flushed slopes near Llanfynydd (SN566291) and a single plant of Epipactis helleborine (Broad-leaved Helleborine) growing at SN572276.

Carboniferous Limestone and the Old Red Sandstone in the Carmel area (Davies, 1993). The acidophiles of the thin quartzite soils and peat bogs of the grit (SN593158) were represented by such species as Rhynchospora alba and Osmunda regalis (Royal Fern).

The meeting organised by the Llanelli Naturalists on 17 July and led by Nigel Stringer and Dic Davies set out to contrast the respective floral communities of the Millstone Grit, the Across the main road at the large karstic depression known as Pwll Edrychiad (SN595163), 200-300 spikes of Platanthera chlorantha (Greater Butterfly Orchid) had been recorded in the previous year but none was seen on this occasion. Typical calcicolous species such as Primula veris (Cowslip), Linum catharticum (Fairy Flax) and Carlina vulgaris (Carline Thistle) were, however, noted and the transitional ecotone onto the acid Old Red Sandstone dip-slope, which was characterised by Molinia caerulea (Purple Moor-grass), Calluna vulgaris (Heather) and Pteridium aquilinum (Bracken), was well marked.

Monitoring

Talley Lakes were the focus of much attention by Liz Flood, Carmarthenshire Conservation Officer of the Dyfed Wildlife Trust who was instrumental in the construction of a boardwalk and a hide adjacent to the Lower Lake. She also arranged to sample the aquatic macrophytes of both lakes by canoe in August, accompanied by RDP! Much material was collected much to the consternation of GH who very kindly and patiently sorted and determined it. No new records were made but the great abundance of Potamogeton berchtoldii (Small Pondweed) (det. CDP) was noted in the Lower Lake together with P. obtusifolius (Blunt-leaved Pondweed) and two populations of Elatine hexandra (Six stamened Waterwort) were seen in the southern end of the Upper Lake where only one was previously known. Also very abundant was Carex aquatilis (Water Sedge) which frequently grew in beds around the lake margins.

Considerable research by Ian Morgan (lKM) into the locations of the two 1940s records of Melittis melissophyllum (Honey Balm) from the northwest of the vc was rewarded by his refinding of one of them (Morgan, 1993). One plant was seen on 13 May comprising one robust flowering shoot with three much smaller shoots on a roadside hedgebank near Lan Cych (SN23) associated with species suggesting a degree of base enrichment.

In the autumn, lKM, GH and RDP made an unsuccessful attempt to refind the only bush of Juniperus communis (Juniper) known in the vc in recent years which formerly grew on Craig-y-Bwch near Ystradffin (cSN775457). Mrs. Vaughan made a note that the plant was in very poor condition in June 1972 and that it had disappeared by November 1976. However, David Davies, in a recent conversation told me that he had seen the bush since Mrs.Vaughan's retirement to Suffolk, which would put the date in the early 1980s. He said that it consisted of one dead branch about 1m high with one, smaller subsidiary, live branch. A consolation for us was that a single plant of Huperzia selago (Fir Clubmoss) was found and the views of the Upper Tywi area from the summit were breathtaking.

lKM, GH and RDP embarked upon a similar, unsuccessful attempt to refind Mentha pulegeum (Pennyroyal) recorded as "frequent on the wet heaths near Upper Brynamman" by J.A.Webb in 1944. The scorching day did, however, have a minty end with Mentha x smithiana (Tall Mint) being discovered as a certain member of the team cooled off in the River Amman at Pantyffynnon (SN624107)!

Other Inland Sites

The CCW Phase 1 surveyors Richard Howorth (RH) and Sarah Andrews (SA) provided comprehensive records of semi-natural grassland sites in Carmarthen District which included new records of such species as Carum verticillatum, (Whorled Caraway) Cirsium dissectum, (Meadow Thistle), Genista anglica, (Petty Whin) Sanguisorba officinalis, (Greater Burnet) and Potentilla palustris (Marsh Cinquefoil). Near Rhydargaeau, SA also recorded at least ten plants of Botrychium lunaria (Moonwort) at SN459269 and eight to ten clumps of Ophioglossum vulgatum (Adder's-tongue Fern) at SN458266.

Only one site for Eriophorum latifolium (Broad-leaved Cottongrass) was known in the vc prior to 1993. Jamie Bevan (JMSB) and Graham Motley (GSM), CCW Phase 2 surveyors, made three new records in June at the following sites: about ten plants in a base-rich flush at Cwrt Bryn y Beirdd, Trapp (SN659181), about fifty plants at Pen-y-graig (SN742226) and about twenty plants at Gellyfawr (SN5915) and J.J.Graham recorded about five plants at Tyle Pengham (SN7622). In addition. JMSB and GSM recorded two new sites for Galium uliginosum (Fen Bedstraw), about ten plants at Pen-y-graig and a further ten at Llwynroser (SN758225). These complemented the discovery of about thirty plants at Cae Maes-y-ffynnon SSSI by JMSB and Dawn Gray in 1991.

lKM discovered a new site for Antennaria dioica (Mountain Everlasting) where about fifty plants were growing on the Carboniferous Limestone outcrop on Mynydd Du at Pal-y-Cwrt (SN676181) with Helianthemum nummularium (Common Rockrose) (4th vcr) and Sherardia arvensis (Field Madder) also in the vicinity.

The fourth vcr and first since 1975 of Dryopteris oreades (Mountain Male-fern) was made in November by lKM and Andy Jones (conf. GH) from upland crags of Craig Dyferion, near Rhandirmwyn (SN734463)

Early in the year, a ten km square was "discovered" new to the vc following RDP's examination of the 1:2500 OS maps of the Cwmgors area! The area of SN70 within Carms amounts to no more than 1000m2 of unimproved, wet, rush-dominated, rough pasture alongside a small stream (SN700099). The flora was not outstanding but did total 65 species including Carum verticillatum, as well as Scutellaria galericulata (Common Skullcap) and Valeriana dioica (Marsh Valerian). Close by in adjacent tetrads, Epipactis helleborine was frequent along the hedgebanks of the drive to Nantricket Farm (SN699102 & SN 700102).

As I predicted in last year's report, Carum verticillatum had to be in SN30. After a day in August unsuccessfully searching likely looking habitats (which did produce some other notable species), I spent a second day and eventually discovered three plants growing in a very scruffy, cattle-grazed, slightly flushed, semi-improved, rushy pasture below AIIt Farm near Llansaint (SN397091). This just proves that the species is able to hang-on even when agricultural management has exterminated virtually everything else of interest. This was of, course, a new 10km square record and one that had been sought for some years. There does not appear to be any further suitable habitat within SN30. Carum was also recorded new to the following tetrads: SN31C, SN72P, SN72U (all GH), SN41L (RH), SN41P, SN42K (both SA), SN53E (J&MH & RDP), SN53J (AOC), SN54X (AOC & RDP), SN70E (GH & RDP) and SN74V (J&MI).

Critical Groups

Great excitement followed Tim Rich's visit to Cardiganshire in August when he and AOC confirmed the presence of Rorippa islandica ss at several more sites in the Teifi valley following AOC's discovery of the species at Cenarth in 1991. Not only did they discover the plant in vc46 but they also made the first vcr for Carmarthenshire when they recorded well over 1000 plants growing in a silage field near Newcastle Emlyn (SN319408). In October Tim examined herbarium material at NMW and redetermined the following collections as R. islandica ss: from shingle of the River Bran, near Llandovery (SN783362)(RDP, 1981); 

West PwII rubbish tip (SN400) (IKM, 1982) and an immature specimen which he was unable to confirm from Cwm Mynys near Llanwrda (SN726340) (HJK, 1986). The species was also confirmed from Garnswllt, on the Glamorgan side of the Loughor from material collected by Gwynn Ellis in 1981 and is probably awaiting discovery on the vc44 side!

The 1992 collection of Taraxacum (Dandelion) specimens was determined and I am very grateful to John Richards and Andrew Dudman for their attention and to GH for submitting them from the NMW. There were ten new vc records (T. hamiferum, T. cordatum, T. aberrans, T. stereodes, T. sinuatum, T. inopinatum, T. lucidum, T. chrysophaenum, T. dilatatum and T. nitidum ) and nine second vc records (T. undulatum, T. expallidiforme, T. chrysophaenum, T. porteri, T. lamprophyllum, T. atactum. T. hamiferum, T. picea turn and T. subbractea tum). All were collected by GH and/or RDP on one of three days at the end of April 1992 from sites widespread through the county. One site of note was situated in the Clydach valley, 1.3km east-northeast of Brechfa at SN536310 which yielded six species: T.dilatatum (ncr), T. subbracteatum (2nd vcr), T.porteri (2nd vcr), T.ekmani (3rd vcr), T .expallidiforme (3rd vcr) and T. atactum (new 10km square record) (all GH & RDP).

Alan Silverside (AJS) returned a large batch of Euphrasia (Eyebright) specimens which GH had previously sorted and many of which he had provisionally determined. Most of GH's deliberations were confirmed. I reproduce Alan's comments below.

"Carmarthenshire obviously has the same problems as S.W. England and S.W. Scotland in that E. confusa and E. nemorosa are substantially replaced by their hybrid, but the limits one sets on the pure species are rather arbitrary. As with S.W.Scotland the situation is compounded by the presence of E. arctica subsp. borealis as a third corner of what may be an almost continuous triangle of hybridisation in these grassland taxa."

"By contrast it was almost a relief to work through the anglica/rostkoviana material. In damp upland turf E. officinalis subsp. rostkoviana can get quite small and slender and I have named some such plants as this without feeling the need to invoke hybridisation. If Carmarthenshire has any decent upland hay meadows left near the Breconshire border, perhaps you should tell local recorders to look out for subsp. monticola (=E. montana). It is still in Breconshire and could be overlooked elsewhere."

Taxa determined or confirmed by Alan included:

Euphrasia arctica x confusa: 1. Waste ground at Machynys (SS5198)(BSBI Meeting, coll. RDP, 1986), first vcr and second Welsh record. 2. Grassy hillside, east of Pont Ricket (SN3421) (GH, 1987), second vcr and third Welsh record.

E. confusa x officinalis subsp. rostkoviana: Upstream of Pont Clydach, Mynydd Du (SN71) (RDP, 1982), first vcr and second Welsh record, "apparently this"- AJS

E. nemorosa x officinalis subsp. anglica: Rough pasture, Cefn Parcin, Llanybydder, (SN54) (Mrs. I.M. Vaughan, 1972), first vcr and third Welsh record.

E. arctica x scottica: 1. Heathy roadside near Llidiadnenog (SN553367) (RDP, 1986), first Welsh record and first vcr. 2. Boggy turf near Llyn Brianne (SN804489) (M&Jl, 1986), second Welsh record and second vcr, "apparently"- AJS.

Several Rubi (Brambles) were determined by Alan Newton, and these included the third vcr of a species from the Suberecti group: Rubus scissus, from a diverse traditional hay-meadow site near Lampeter (SN634477) which also had Platanthera chlorantha and in a small pond, Utricularia minor (Lesser Bladderwort) (Lindsay Applegate & RDP).

Rosa determinations by Tony Primavesi included the second vcr of the hybrid between R. sherardia (f) and R.canina (m) from near Capel lwan (SN276376) (GH & RDP) as well as several new 10km square records.

Brian Robson determined the first three authenticated records of Hypericum x desetangsii (H. maculatum x H. perforatum) (Des Etangs' St. John's-wort) for the vc: 1, hay meadow at Pencarreg (SN567460) (HJK, 1985), 2, roadside above Goitre (SN373234) (HJK, JB & M.E.Smith, 1992) and, 3, hedgebank at cross roads east of Dinas (SN278300) (GH & RDP, 1992). Several other records of this taxon have been received in the past but these are the first to have been confirmed by the referee.

Peter Yeo determined an unusual colour form of Aster x salignus (a Michaelmas Daisy) which has been known as being established at Cydweli railway station for at least fifteen years (SN401065) (GH).

GH determined or confirmed several elms (Ulmus spp.) collected by lKM. U. glabra x minor was growing in company with other elms at Ffordd-y-Wagen, PwII (SN471011), U. minor was planted along the south side of the A40 road just east of the turning to Llanllwch (SN351189) and a large mature tree of U. laevis (European White Elm) was present in Dinefwr Deer Park, Llandeilo (SN610223).

Aliens

Alien species recorded during the year included a first vcr of Epilobium canum (California Fuschia) which was another noteworthy "weed" discovered growing in the garden of Dylan Thomas' Boathouse, Laugharne (SN306110) by John Rees adding to his finds of last year. A first record for Wales was the planted Populus tremuloides on dunes at the northern end of Ferryside, noted during the June recording meeting by GH & J.A.Gibson. A probably bird-sown shrub of Amelanchier lamarkii (Juneberry) discovered in full flower by lKM & GH on 26 April growing at the edge of a ride in Penybedd Wood, Pembrey (SN417017) was a new vc record and also the 2nd record for Wales. In July, GH & RDP found two plants of Tropaeolum majus (Nasturtium) flowering on a disturbed roadside bank near Abergwili (SN435222) which was only the second vcr. A single plant of Silene armeria (Sweet-William Catchfly) was discovered in derelict ground near houses at Upper Brynamman (SN708142) by Jeff Hoskins which was a new vcr and only the third Welsh record (det. RDP, conf. GH). Jim Davies recorded a new site for Azolla filiculoides (Water Fern) near Golden Grove (SN589191) and both the first and second vc records were made of Lathyrus nissolia (Grass Vetchling): well established at edge of restored opencast land near Cae'r-bryn (SN597143) (Keith Sanderson & RDP) and a road cutting near Porthyrhyd (SN521166) (GH).

Urban areas again produced their fair share of records. The first Welsh record of Eccremocarpus scaber (Chilean Glory Vine) was rnade when one plant was noted by lKM as a pavement weed in Little Water Street, Carmarthen (SN413203). It was so diminutive that its identity alluded all until revealed by R.W. Rutherford of the University of Reading. lKM also recorded Onobrychis viciifolia (Sainfoin) amongst tree plantings at Machynys (SS508979) which was the first vcr since Hamer's of 1922. This was growing in company with the alien, upright variety of Common Bird's-foot Trefoil, Lotus corniculatus var. sativus which is often found established on restored opencast sites. He also found one plant of Fagopyrum esculentum (Buckwheat) growing as a street-weed in John Street, Llanelli (SN506002).

Acknowledgements

As always I must thank all of you who have submitted records (too many for me to cope with!) and to all who have made the year's field meetings so enjoyable and often memorable. Special thanks, as always, to George Hutchinson for his continued remarkable contribution, not only in the field but also in determining specimens in the museum and also communicating with many referees and undertaking the laborious task of submitting specimens for examination. Ian Morgan has again surpassed his customary high quality of records and Janes and Mary Iliff continue to submit tetrad cards of such detail that one is tempted to subdivide them into site-related species-lists for the purpose of computer input. Thanks also to the CCW Phase 1 and 2 survey teams for letting me have access to the cream of their discoveries. And finally, I am most grateful to all those referees whom George has consulted who devote so much time and energy into servicing the requests of all recorders, nationwide.

References

Davies, R.H. (1993). PwII Edrychiad: The Spectacular Pit.    Llanelli Nats. News/. Winter 1992-93: 8-10.

Hutchinson, G. (1993). Carms Flora Weekend, 11-14 June 1993. Unpublished report to BSBI Recorder.

Hutchinson, G. (1994). Field Meeting Report: Tywyn Burrows 13 June 1993. BSBl News. 67, (in press).

Morgan, I. K. (1993). Notes on Honey Balm Melittis melissophyllum. Unpublished note to CCW.

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