The final botany outing of the season took place along the footpath and shoreline of Fewston Reservoir and was attended by 14 keen botanists. A total of 111 species were recorded (including those identified on the recce visit a week earlier). We saw a good number of species not often seen in our familiar hunting ground of the limestone dales. In particular, the shoreline of the reservoir offered quite a few identification challenges and “first time” sightings for many of us. The tiny-white-flowered New Zealand Pigmyweed Crassula helmsii (an escapee from aquariums and garden ponds) was certainly well established, as was Water Purslane Lythrum portula. Marsh Speedwell Veronica scutellata was also spotted, but took a while to identify.

New Zealand Pigmyweed

Water-purslane

Marsh Speedwell

 

Two Persicarias, Water-pepper P. hydropiper and Redshank P. maculosa were present in large numbers, with swathes of the former dominating the shoreline.

Water-pepper

 

A few scattered examples of Marsh Cudweed Gnaphalium uliginosum, Red Goosefoot Oxybasis rubra, Marsh Yellow-cress Rorippa palustris and Scented Mayweed Matricaria chamomilla were also discovered.

Marsh Cudweed

Red Goosefoot

Marsh Yellow-cress

 

Along the path we found Wood Horsetail Equisetum sylvaticum with its branched stems as well as the (fairly) regular trio of ferns: Lady-fern Athyrium filix-femina, Male-fern Dryopteris filix-mas and Broad Buckler-ferm D. dilatata. It was also the season for willowherbs, many of which were turning to seed. Great Willowherb Epilobium hirsutum and American Willowherb E. ciliatum were recorded as well as Rosebay Chamerion angustifolium. There was much debate about a Figwort that didn’t quite fit any descriptions in our books completely, but the final consensus was Water Figwort Scrophularia auriculata.

Wood Horsetail

 

We ended the day with tea and cakes at the nearby Mackenzies Farm Shop which gave the group the opportunity to thank Christine for all of her dedication and kindness during the considerable period of time that she has very capably led the group on innumerable outings. We all hope that Christine will continue to enjoy many more years of botanising with us, free of the organisational responsibilies.

Report and Photos: Ian Hughes