On a dry, cloudy day, perfect for botanising, 9 of us met for our excursion up to Hutton Roof Crags, a limestone pavement in South Cumbria.

The ground through the first gate yielded a lot of the most common plants and trees including Dog’s Mercury (Mercurialis perennis), Enchanter’s Nightshade (Circaea lutetiana) and Wood Avens (Geum urbanum).  We almost missed a Dewberry (Rubus caesius), thinking it was Bramble (R. fruticosus), before examining it more closely.  Before bearing fruit, it can be identified by always having three leaflets and being less prickly than Bramble.  A pretty patch of Yellow Pimpernel (Lysimachia nemorum) was spotted in the same area, and also a single Black Bryony (Tamus communis) at the base of a tree.

Dewberry

Black Bryony

The path opened up into an area of heath, where we found Gorse (Ulex europaeus), Heath Bedstraw (Galium saxatile), whose minute prickles on the leaf edges are forward-facing, Heather (Calluna vulgaris) and Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus).  Both Common Milkwort (Polygala vulgaris) and Heath Milkwort (P. serpyllifolia) were present in the same area.

As we approached the Crags there were a few attractive Dropworts (Filipendula vulgaris) in bud, and some small patches of Toad Rush (Juncus bufonius) growing on the path were examined. It was interesting to discover that the colour of the Limestone Bedstraw differs from the Heath Bedstraw in its more creamy colour.

Dropwort

We reached the Crags (tricky walking!) and had lunch before continuing our search for some of the rarer plants. In the grykes we found Dark-red Helleborine (Epipactis atrorubens), identified by its leaf structure; and nearby Angular Solomon’s-seal (Polygonatum odoratum).  Also found were Limestone Fern (Gymnocarpium robertianum) and Rigid Buckler Fern (Dryopteris submontana).

Angular Solomon’s-seal

Lily-of-the-valley

There was a wealth of different ferns to try and get our heads round, and we found it invaluable to have Christine and Jean to help us with identification.

Limestone Fern

Rigid Buckler-fern

Hard Fern

A most enjoyable and informative day, rounded off with a welcome tea and cake at a café in Cowan Bridge.

Report by Jenny Harris, Photos by Ian Hughes