Roger Smith
Not for publication, see records below
My own activities are now very limited by personal circumstances. The Devonshire Association Botany Section conducted a number of open meetings across the county but I have not seen reports yet. I was able to lead one to Bolberry Down but that's it.
My email address, which you already have, is not optional. This won't send unless I complete the field!
The discovery of of Cytisus scoparius subsp. maritimus (Prostrate Broom) on the cliff slopes at Bilbury Down in April by Daniel Brown was the first for VC3 and a new site for Thelypteris palustris (Marsh Fern) found by Phil Sansum in a small area of wet woodland on Little Haldon, is a second extant site for both VC3 and Devon.
Following the discovery of Adonis annua (Pheasant’s-eye)in mid-May on a new roadside near Highweek by Sally Peacock and Richard Mabbutt several unusual aliens were found on the verge which had been sown in 2021 when several hundred metres were dominated by Centaurea cyanus (Cornflower). These included Malope trifida (Mallow-wort) Nigella hispanica (Spanish Love-in-a-mistand) and Silene pendula (Nodding Catchfly) all new to VC3 and Devon
Later in June, Chris Wilkinson, a visiting lepidopterist, found Phelipanche purpurea (Yarrow Brooonrape) searching for Thrift Clearwing moths on the coast at Aymer Cove, the first confirmed record for VC3 and Devon. Visitors are always welcome, particularly experts like Geoffrey Kitchener who was able to give me records of several Rumex (Dock) hybrids including two for which I had no localised records.
The tricky identification of Euphrasia (Eyebright) hybrids,taken up by both Alex Worsley and Lionel Pike with help of Chris Metherel resulted in additions of more records for four uncommon hybrids on Dartmoor and Lionel, with the help of Roger Golding has taken on the even more esoteric problem of Dryopteris affinis (Golden-scaled Male-fern) segregates and discovered D. pseudodisjuncta and D. lacunosa together with others in a small area of Dartmoor.
