2024 County Report for Worcestershire

John Day, Cesca Beamish & Tom Ward.

Individually, we have focused on aligning the county’s database with the DDb, surveying under-recorded monads and refinding some of the less common species for the county such as Ervum gracile (Slender Tare -photo), Asperula cynanchica (Squinancywort), Cerastium arvense (Field Mouse-ear), Oenanthe silaifolia (Narrow-leaved Water Dropwort), Comarum palustre (Marsh cinquefoil) and Microthlaspi perfoliatum (Perfoliate Pennycress).

The group has gone from strength to strength. With many thanks to the county experts, including Roger Maskew who kindly led a Rosa identification workshop. Our records include Nuphar × porphyranthera, in SO77, a county first, and Bolboschoenus maritimus (Sea Club-rush) very rare in the county but a stable population at Feckenham Wylde Moor NR.

The outstanding find in 2024 was Hypopitys monotropa - Penny Hill, SO7561, 30/06/2024, Trevor Bucknall, 1 plant in broad-leaved woodland. This is the first record for the hectad. A rare plant in Worcestershire with only four other sites since 1980.

Carex hostiana - Lower Illey, SO9781, 18/05/2024, Michael Liley, small colony in unimproved mesotrophic grassland. Always a county scarcity.

Allium oleraceum Wyre Hill, Bewdley, SO7774, 04/07/2024, Michael Liley. First record for hectad since 1950 and first observation from Bewdley since 1909.

Polystichum munitum St Kenelms, SO9480, 16/04/2024, Brett Westwood, 1 well established clump in broad-leaved woodland. Second record for Worcestershire, the first was an urban record from Bewdley by the same observer in 2012.

Dipsacus laciniatus  The Rhydd  SO8345, 27/08/2024, Brett Westwood, about a dozen established on road verge. Second record for Worcestershire.