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Checklists of Exmoor's Wildlife
In 1996 ENHS produced The Flora and Fauna of Exmoor National Park listing 8243 species which had been recorded. (Now out of print). Since then there have been a number of additions published annually in Exmoor Naturalist magazine. The following lists show what we have recorded so far and it is hoped there will be future updates.

Plants
Clubmosses, Horsetails, Rushes, Sedges, Grasses
CLUBMOSSES
Fir Clubmoss Huperzia selago Decreased from its former Somerset sites apart from Exmoor. In year 2000 known here in four places.
Marsh Clubmoss Lycopodiella inundata Only once recorded from Minehead area by Coleman, 1849.
Stag's-horn Clubmoss Lycopodium clavatum Six known Exmoor sites. Formerly plentiful but was over collected.
Alpine Clubmoss Diphasiastrum alpinum Last recorded c1927 by N.G. Haddon at Chetsford
Kraus's Clubmoss Selaginella kraussiana Only one Exmoor site for this
HORSETAILS
Water Horsetail Equisetum fluviatile In areas of standing or slow moving water
Shore Horsetail Equisetum arvense x fluviatile (E. x litorale) gricultural Weed" c 1940's and at Allerford in 1960. 1 plant found by B.Giddens by newly made flight of steps near Stoats Farm on 17.7.83 but scythed off 3 from base 2 days later. Treated with Baby-Bio, it produced several more flowers. Disappeared until 17.7.88 when one plant in same place but not seen since.
 
Lesser Knotweed Persicaria campanulata In 2000 still not very prolific although common along the Washford River valley and established clumps in a few other places. First recorded in Somerset in 1974 at Spaxton (Green)
Himalayan Knotweed Persicaria wallichii Abundant around Simonsbath and in the Heddon Valley where the National Trust have been trying to eradicate it for many years.
Common Bistort Persicaria bistorta Would appear to be native in some damp meadows and woods and recorded as such by Murray. Probably a garden escape in some places.
Red Bistort Persicaria amplexicaulis A garden escape or throw-out which may increase.
Amphibious Bistort Persicaria amphibia In ditches and damp places. Probably decreasing at Porlock Marsh due to inundation with salt water.
a knotweed Persicaria capitata A rare escape from gardens or hanging flower baskets in Minehead.
Redshank Persicaria maculosa A common weed of arable land, waste places, reservoirs, etc.
Pale Persicaria Persicaria lapathifolia An uncommon weed of cultivated land.
Water-pepper Persicaria hydropiper Common in damp woodlands, meadows and tracks.
Buckwheat Fagopyrum esculentum Occasionally turns up in waste places, gardens or cultivated land.
Ray's Knotgrass Polygonum oxyspermum ecorded c 1910 by T. Twist at Blue Anchor and Roe states "formerly at Dunster. No recent records.
Equal-leaved Knotgrass Polygonum arenastrum Common in town and on paths and farmland.
Knotgrass Polygonum aviculare sens.str. More common than P. arenastrum in waste ground, tracks, field gateways, etc.
Japanese Knotweed Fallopia japonica Sometimes abundant, ENPA have scheme to eradicate it.
a knotweed Fallopia japonica x sachalinensis (F. x bohemica) This hybrid has been recorded at West Porlock and Treborough.
Giant Knotweed Fallopia sachalinensis We first noted this at Dunster Beach in 1978 and it increased to form a large stand but it had been virtually eradicated by 2001.
Russian Vine Fallopia baldschuanica Usually near habitation and our records all mainly near the coast. Can form large stands smothering walls, trees and other shrubs.
Black Bindweed Fallopia convolvulus Mainly on arable land.
Sheep's Sorrel Rumex acetosella ssp. acetosella Common on acid moors and heaths.
Common Sorrel Rumex acetosa Very common in hedgerows etc. Probably present in every tetrad.
Water Dock Rumex hydrolapathum At pond edges, ditches, stream banks. Scarce.
Greek Dock Rumex cristatus Has been in Minehead area since at least 1942 when material was collected by J.E.Lousley but it was at that time thought to be R. patientia. It was renamed in 1982 by D.H.Kent. It has increased in Minehead area.
a dock Rumex crispus x cristatus (R. x dimidiatus) Waste ground at Minehead.
a dock Rumex cristatus x obtusifolius (R. x lousleyi) Waste ground in Minehead area.
Curled dock Rumex crispus ssp. crispus Throughout area but not on higher moorland.
a curled dock Rumex crispus ssp. littoreus Occurs in sandy areas near the coast.
a dock Rumex conglomeratus x crispus (R. x schulzei) A single specimen found at Minehead 1994.
a dock Rumex crispus x sanguineus (R. x sagorskii) Waste ground or arable land.
a dock Rumex crispus x pulcher (R. x pseudopulcher) Has been found in one or two rough fields in Minehead/Porlock area.
a dock Rumex crispus x obtusifolius (R. x pratensis) Probably under recorded.
a dock Rumex crispus x palustris (R. x heteranthos) Recorded in error in Flora & Fauna of ENP 1996.
Clustered Dock Rumex conglomeratus Not on high moorland.
a dock Rumex conglomeratus x obtusifolius (R. x abortivus) Scarce.
Wood Dock Rumex sanguineus Common in hedgerows, woodland, waste ground, etc. Not on high moorland. Plant is var. viridis.
a dock Rumex pulcher x sanguineus (R. x mixtus) On dry grassy slopes.
a dock Rumex obtusifolius x sanguineus (R. x dufftii) Woodland borders, verges, etc.
Fiddle Dock Rumex pulcher Mainly on dry slopes or sandy areas near the coast.
a dock Rumex obtusifolius x pulcher (R. x ogulinensis) Only recorded from one grassy slope nr Bossington.
Broad-leaved Dock Rumex obtusifolius Recorded from all but two tetrads on the high moorland. The commonest dock.
Golden Dock Rumex maritimus Only recorded from Hurscombe Reserve, Wimbleball.
Thrift Armeria maritima Occurs on coastal cliffs from Combe Martin to Dunster Beach.
a st. john's-wort Hypericum forrestii Only recorded from base of wall at West Lynch. (Green)
Rose-of-Sharon Hypericum calycinum A garden escape nearly always found close to habitations.
Tutsan Hypericum androsaemum A garden escape around villages but probably native in woodlands, not on the moors.
Tall Tutsan Hypericum androsaemum x hircinum (H. x inodorum) An uncommon garden escape.
Stinking Tutsan Hypericum hircinum An uncommon garden escape.
Perforate St. John's-wort Hypericum perforatum Fairly common in hedgerows, etc. in the less acid areas and usually around the villages.
Square-stalked St. John's-wort Hypericum tetrapterum Widespread in damp woodland, fields and hedgerows and by streams or rivers.
Trailing St. John's-wort Hypericum humifusum On woodland tracks and also on heather moorland.
Slender St. John's-wort Hypericum pulchrum Our commonest St. John's Wort. Hedgebanks, moorland and woodland.
Hairy St. John's-wort Hypericum hirsutum Only recorded from Selworthy in our area
Marsh St. John's-wort Hypericum elodes Widespread but only in acid moorland bogs.
Large-leaved Lime Tilia platyphyllos Planted specimens only - a magnificent tree nr R. Barle in Pit Wood (P. Green)
Lime Tilia cordata x platyphyllos (T. x vulgaris) Scattered introductions in north and east sections of area, none in south-west region of Exmoor.
Musk-mallow Malva moschata In hedgerows, field borders and rough areas but not on acid ground.
Common Mallow Malva sylvestris Common in the eastern part of our area but rare otherwise. Hedgerows; farmland; etc.
Dwarf Mallow Malva neglecta Usually in agricultural land. All records except one from Minehead Porlock area.
Tree-mallow Lavatera arborea Sandy areas all along Exmoor coast where suitable. Doubtfully native.
Hyeres Tree-mallow Lavatera thuringiaca Garden escapes
Hollyhock Alcea rosea A garden escape or throw-out in waste areas and stony places.
Round-leaved Sundew Drosera rotundifolia Common in moorland bogs
Sweet Violet Viola odorata Common in hedgerows on the lower ground. Native or sometimes a garden escape. White flowered var. sometimes abundant. Purple and rarely amethyst coloured plants also occur.
Common Dog-violet Viola riviniana A common plant of hedgerows, open woodland and grassy slopes.
Early Dog-violet Viola reichenbachiana Common in woodland and shady hedgerows.
Heath Dog-violet Viola canina Sandy areas and heaths.
Marsh Violet Viola palustris In upland moorland boggy areas. Subsp. rarely recorded but both ssp. palustris and ssp. juressi are thought to occur.
Mountain Pansy Viola lutea Rough grassland. Recorded from Exmoor between 1901 & 1948 but later considered to be in error. However it was refound at two sites in 1990 during survery work for Somerset Atlas Flora (Green)
Garden Pansy Viola x wittrockiana Garden escapes or throw-outs. On tips, in gutters, etc.
Wild Pansy Viola tricolor This occurred as a garden weed 12 King George Rd. Minehead for several seasons in 1970's but gradually petered out.
a pansy Viola x contempta Rare.
Field Pansy Viola arvensis In arable fields. Becoming less frequent
Tamarisk Tamarix gallica Planted in sandy areas Minehead, Dunster Beach, Porlock Weir.
Pumkin Cucurbita maxima Garden throw-out.
White Poplar Populus alba An infrequent tree with scattered distribution. Regenerates vegetatively.
Grey Poplar Populus alba x tremula (P. x canescens) Planted in a couple of woods.
Aspen Populus tremula Planted in several woodlands, perhaps native in some areas. A tree occurs almost on the tide line at Glenthorne.
Black Poplar Populus nigra The type is subsp. betulifolia. A number of old trees occur around the Minehead area and attempts have been made to prolong the life of some of these by pollarding. Others have been lost though aging as they are not regenerating except possibly by suckers in one place. Only male trees occur.
Lombardy-poplar Populus nigra 'Italica' Planted on roadsides near towns and villages.
Hybrid Black Poplar Populus x canadensis (P. deltoides x nigra) Some planted trees mainly in river valley.
Balm-of-Gilead Populus candicans Single old tree in Bagley Combe thought to be this species.
Crack Willow Salix fragilis Rare in area. A few scattered trees, sometimes planted. Common on Somerset Levels.
Hybrid Crack-willow Salix alba x fragilis (S. x rubens) ecorded in 1906 from "Near Minehead. This was possibly from Dunster Beach area. No current records from area but a handful elsewhere in Somerset.
White Willow Salix alba Rare. A few scattered records. Generally planted
Weeping Willow Salix alba x babylonica (S. x sepulcralis) Rare introduction, stream banks etc.
Purple Willow Salix purpurea Recorded from Hawn pool at Dunster Beach in 1914. In 1992 Paul Green who considered it the largest population in Somerset. But it was virtually eradicated in 1994 when the pool was cleared despite pleas from ENHS and County Recorder. One plant of Purple Willow remains on an island and will hopefully be conserved.
Fine Osier Salix x forbyana (S. cinerea x purpurea x viminalis) Very rare, probably now extinct since clearance of Hawn Pool at Dunster Beach in 1994. (See Purple Willow)
Osier Salix viminalis ncommon except on Marshes. (Locally called "Withy)
Broad-leaved Osier Salix caprea x viminalis (S. x sericans) Rare.
Silky-leaved Osier Salix cinerea x viminalis (S. x smithiana) Very rare in Exmoor Area - commoner on Somerset Levels
Goat Willow Salix caprea ssp. caprea Common on moorland and marshes, hedges and by streams, scrubby woodland.
a willow Salix caprea x cinerea (S. x reichardtii) Possibly under recorded due to difficulties of identification.
a willow Salix aurita x caprea (S. x capreola) Recorded from Simonsbath 1918. No current records.
Grey Willow Salix cinerea ssp. oleifolia The commonest willow in Somerset and probably on Exmoor
a willow Salix aurita x cinerea (S. x multinervis) Hedges, damp combes. Often abundant in Exmoor Valleys. Possibly under recorded due to confusion with S. aurita.
Eared Willow Salix aurita Fairly common on wet moorland but possibly over recorded due to confusion with its hybrid with Grey Willow.
Creeping Willow Salix repens Has declined in some Somerset Areas but although scarce and local on Exmoor, seems to persist where it has been recorded.
Eastern Rocket Sisymbrium orientale Only recorded from a few sandy areas near the coast where it seems well established.
Hedge Mustard Sisymbrium officinale Common in hedgerows and waste places but not on the high moorland areas. Also cultivated ground.
Flixweed Descurainia sophia Rarely recorded on disturbed soil and sandy areas.
Garlic Mustard Alliaria petiolata Common in hedgerows throughout but not on high moorland.
Thale Cress Arabidopsis thaliana A fairly widespread weed of waste ground and walls but not on high moorland.
Treacle Mustard Erysimum cheiranthoides Only three reports. A weed of arable land.
Wallflower Erysimum cheiri A common escape well established on old walls near habitation.
Dame's Violet Hesperis matronalis An uncommon garden escape persistent in some hedgerows
Virginia Stock Malcolmia maritima A garden escape or throw-out.
Hoary Stock Matthiola incana An introduction which is persistent on the coast at Minehead.
Night-scented Stock Matthiola longipetala Garden escape or throw-out.
Winter-cress Barbarea vulgaris Verges or stream banks.
Medium-flowered Winter-cress Barbarea intermedia Waste ground or arable land.
American Winter-cress Barbarea verna Verges or cultivated ground. A persistent garden weed for many years at Alcombe but now apparently gone.
Water-cress Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum sens.str. In clear-water streams and a relict in old watercress beds. Also in wet flushes by lanes and tracks
Hybrid Water-cress Rorippa microphylla x nasturtium-aquaticum (R. x sterilis) amp places. "Sometimes in the absence of one or both parents - Green.
Northern Yellow-cress Rorippa islandica sens.str. First recorded in England at Clatworthy Reservoir, 2001 Ian Green. May come to Wimbleball but shores there are covered in the alien Crassula helmsii. Records are just off Exmoor area.
Marsh Yellow-cress Rorippa palustris Mainly recorded from the shores of reservoirs.
Creeping Yellow-cress Rorippa sylvestris We have only recorded this at Wimbleball Lake and Minehead Warren.
Horse-radish Armoracia rusticana A relict of cultivation or persisting where dumped.
Trefoil Cress Cardamine trifolia A naturalised introduction present for many years at Trentishoe churchyard but not seen recently.
Cuckoo-flower Cardamine pratensis In damp meadows, by streams and in churchyards.
Wavy Bitter-cress Cardamine flexuosa In damp areas by streams, ponds, woodland, etc.
Hairy Bitter-cress Cardamine hirsuta A very common weed of gardens, agricultural and waste land, tracks, etc. Recorded from all tetrads except the highest moorland.
Garden Arabis Arabis caucasica An escape from cultivation around towns and villages.
Hairy Rock-cress Arabis hirsuta There is a 'dot' for this near Lynmouth in Atlas of the Devon Flora 1984 but no further details available.
Aubretia Aubrieta deltoidea A garden escape naturalised on old walls in villages and towns.
Honesty Lunaria annua A sometimes persistent escape from cultivation. Hedgerows, waste ground.
Golden Alyssum Alyssum saxatile A garden escape sometimes naturalised on old walls in towns and villages.
Sweet Alison Lobularia maritima An escape from cultivation, naturalised in sandy areas such as Minehead Warren and Dunster Beach. Also on old walls about towns and villages.
Common Whitlowgrass Erophila verna sens. lat. Dry rocky areas, walls, pavements, etc. We have no records from the Devon area of Exmoor. Absent from high moorland. Both var praecox and var. spathulata are thought to occur.
English Scurvygrass Cochlearia anglica Coastal cliffs and shingle.
Common Scurvygrass Cochlearia officinalis sens.str. Sea cliffs or shingle. Scarce.
Danish Scurvygrass Cochlearia danica The common scurvey grass on Exmoor coasts also spreading along road verges which are salted in winter such as A39 between Minehead/Dunster.
Shepherd's-purse Capsella bursa-pastoris A common weed except on the higher grass moorland.
Shepherd's Cress Teesdalia nudicaulis Verge, Porlock Hill 1913-1929 N.G. Hadden. Presumed extinct on Exmoor (but discovered 1992 about 1 mile SW of Exmoor boundary.)
Field Penny-cress Thlaspi arvense Still fairly common in to the east of our area but less so that formerly. Arable land.
Garden Candytuft Iberis umbellata Occasionally occurs as garden escape or throw-out on dumps or waste ground.
Garden Cress Lepidium sativum An occasional garden weed or throw-out. From cultivated plants.
Field Pepperwort Lepidium campestre Arable or waste land.
Smith's Pepperwort Lepidium heterophyllum Fields, verges and at Porlock Marsh until shingle ridge was breached late 1990s.
Hoary Cress Lepidium draba Waste ground near the coast at Minehead and a few inland sites to the Brendon Hills.
Swine-cress Coronopus squamatus Arable weed and rough ground; less common than C. didymus
Lesser Swine-cress Coronopus didymus Farm gateways and fields, tracks and verges. Much more frequent than the presumed native C. squamatus.
Hare's-ear Mustard Conringia orientalis c1900 'In ditches & edges of roads'
Annual Wall-rocket Diplotaxis muralis Stinkweed. Sandy areas around Minehead with one or two other sites.
Oil-seed Rape Brassica napus ssp. oleifera Escapes or relicts of cultivation. Grown extensively in Porlock Vale in 1980's & 90's.
Turnip Brassica rapa agg. Relics of cultivation.
Black Mustard Brassica nigra Farmland, verges, and near the coast. Not on high ground. Assumed native.
Charlock Sinapis arvensis Common agricultural weed. Also verges and waste ground. Assumed native.
White Mustard Sinapis alba Very few records for this casual which has declined in Somerset generally.
Hoary Mustard Hirschfeldia incana Waste ground and tips. An increasing species in Somerset but few Exmoor records.
Sea Rocket Cakile maritima A clump found in dunes at edge Minehead Golf Links 26.9.79 but none seen since 1986. Occurs in N. Somerset coast.
Wild Radish Raphanus raphanistrum ssp. raphanistrum Waste ground, verges etc. Possibly declined
Sea Radish Raphanus raphanistrum ssp. maritimus On coast.
Garden Radish Raphanus sativus Garden throw outs or relicts.
Weld Reseda luteola Only recorded from eastern half of area. By the sea and inland Brendon Hills etc. Disturbed and waste land.
Crowberry Empetrum nigrum Confined to the higher moorland areas particularly Dunkery area. Our plants are subsp nigrum.
Rhododendron Rhododendron ponticum An introduced species which is a cause for concern where it has spread into woodlands and moorland combes. Continual labour and expense goes into trying to eradicate this.
Yellow Azalea Rhododendron luteum A couple of shrubs planted or escaped on to Alcombe Common have increased in number. Recorded in several other areas where it is either planted or an escape from nearby plantings.
Checkerberry Gaultheria procumbens There is a large area of this on Haddon Hill, source unknown. The area was churned up during building of Wimbleball dam.
Prickly Heath Gaultheria mucronata An introduction which appears to be naturalising above Yenworthy.
Strawberry-tree Arbutus unedo ntroduced in coastal woods Worthy to Culbone. Also Nettlecombe. Rare. Lord King writing from Ashley Combe in June 1875 to Ada Countess of Lovelace states "..having been much engaged in cutting of huge branches of arbutus trees, bay and myrtle which shut out the view of the sea.
Heather Calluna vulgaris Widespread across the area as straggly bits occur in woodlands and hedgebanks as well as on the main heather moors which lie on high acid ground where the plant is dominant. There are about 20,000 acres of good heather moorland on Exmoor but this is much less than a century ago. Losses have been due to ploughing and forestry plantations, increase of bracken through over burning and latterly the heather beetle has made an appearance. Some attempts are being made to regenerate heather.
Cross-leaved Heath Erica tetralix On areas of damper moorland.
Bell Heather Erica cinerea Widespread on the moors and most importantly on coastal heaths. Quantity much less than Calluna vulgaris.
Cranberry Vaccinium oxycoccos Apparently declining although some years it produces abundant fruit. Locall in damp moorland areas. Threat from drying out of moorland.
Bog Bilberry Vaccinium uliginosum A report of this from Old Barrow Plantation from AudreyûWilson 30.11.83 but could not locate despite extensive searchûin 1985. Much poached by cattle. A clump found by Ian Greenûon Haddon Hill in 1994 is the most southerly site in GB.
Whortleberry Vaccinium myrtillus Still common on Exmoor although the parties of 'wort pickers' of past years are no longer seen on the moors. They used to be a significant source of money for gipsies, schoolchildren and whole families. Valued for jams and eaten with junket and cream as a local delicacy.
a (heath) Pieris japonica Very rare introduction. Planted in woodland above West Porlock.
A (heath) Pieris Formosa Planted in woodland above West Porlock.
Yellow Bird's-nest Monotropa hypopitys Recorded near Dunster c 1836 Rev, J.C. Collins. Usually under Beech.
Primrose Primula vulgaris Common except on the highest moorland. At one time declined c1960s but increased again seemingly following introduction of the Wildlife Act or better education 'not to dig up'
False Oxlip Primula veris x vulgaris (P. x polyantha) Small quantity in fields, orchards where parents occur. Rare due to scarcity of Cowslips.
Cowslip Primula veris Scarce in our area as it favours calcareous soils. In limited numbers where it does occur and in some instances is becoming hybridised with primroses. Others in meadows lost through change of land use
Cyclamen Cyclamen hederifolium An introduction. Found in hedgerows, churchyards and in at least one instance on moorland. Most are deliberately planted.
a cyclamen Cyclamen repandum In woods between West Porlock and Porlock Weir 1992
Eastern Cyclamen Cyclamen coum Becoming naturalised on North Hill, Minehead.
Yellow Pimpernel Lysimachia nemorum Woodlands.
Creeping-Jenny Lysimachia nummularia Probably always an escape from cultivation in our area. In damp shady places.
Yellow Loosestrife Lysimachia vulgaris Damp woodland or fields.
Dotted Loosestrife Lysimachia punctata Waste places, garden escapes or throw-outs.
Bog Pimpernel Anagallis tenella Only common in moorland bogs.
Scarlet Pimpernel Anagallis arvensis A common weed of arable land, gardens, waste ground, verges. Usually scarlet, occasionally blue or pink.
Sea-milkwort Glaux maritima Saltmarshes or coastal shingle.
Brookweed Samolus valerandi Only two records both from Devon Exmoor.
Kohuhu Pittosporum tenuifolium Rarely self sown from planted trees.
Mock Orange Philadelphus coronarius Occasionally found in hedgerows, usually near habitations.
a mock-orange Philadelphus x virginalis (P. coronarius x microphyllus x pubescens) Planted in woodland above West Porlock. (Norman Hadden's old Botanic Garden)
Escallonia Escallonia macrantha Occasionally found in hedgerows, usually planted, naturalised on some sea cliffs, and coastal shingle at Porlock Wier.
Red Currant Ribes rubrum Sometimes bird-sown but native in older woodlands.
Black Currant Ribes nigrum Bird-sown or relic of cultivation. Usually near habitations.
Flowering Currant Ribes sanguineum A fairly frequent garden escape which may self-seed. Hedgerows, woodland etc. Sometimes persistent
Buffalo Currant Ribes odoratum Hedgerows or waste ground.
Mountain Currant Ribes alpinum Woods or hedgerows. Garden escape.
Gooseberry Ribes uva-crispa Can occur as a relic of cultivation, a bird-sown escape or in rare instances may be native in woodlands or hedges.
Mossy Stonecrop Crassula tillaea On sandy trodden areas at Dunster Beach where it is spreading and sometimes abundant.
New Zealand Pigmyweed Crassula helmsii A throw-out from garden ponds etc. which has spread to dominance on the shores of Wimbleball Reservoir to the exclusion of other plants.
Wall Pennywort Umbilicus rupestris Common on walls, hedgebanks, rocks etc. except on remote high moorland areas.
House-leek Sempervivum tectorum On walls in villages. Garden origin.
Butterfly Stonecrop Sedum spectabile Came up in plant container in Minehead garden 2003.ûUnplanted.
Orpine Sedum telephium cattered records mainly near habitation except Heddon Valley and Wringapeak (mentioned from this area 100 years ago in book entitled "Ferny Combes. Otherwise garden origin.
Caucasian-stonecrop Sedum spurium On walls and stony areas. Garden origin.
Reflexed Stonecrop Sedum rupestre Occasional garden escapes near habitation. Old walls etc.
Rock Stonecrop Sedum forsterianum Native along coast on cliffs from Minehead to Combe Martin in every tetrad. (Possibly declining in some areas). Elsewhere probably of garden origin.
Biting Stonecrop Sedum acre On walls and sandy areas near the coast also coastal heaths etc.
Tasteless Stonecrop Sedum sexangulare Garden escapes on wall at Bridgetown.
White Stonecrop Sedum album Our records thought to be of garden origin. Walls and stony areas.
English Stonecrop Sedum anglicum Sometimes abundant on wall tops and rocky areas, quarries and gravelly waysides. (Not in Eastern Somerset at all).
False-buck's-beard Astilbe japonica Shady areas usually near water. Garden throw-outs.
Elephant-ears Bergenia crassifolia A very rare introduction only one confirmed record from W. Porlock. The usual plant is B. x schmidtii much grown in gardens.
an elephant-ears Bergenia cordifolia A rare introduction, waste ground, quarries etc. Garden origin.
Celandine Saxifrage Saxifraga cymbalaria A weed for many years in garden at Glenthorne and also occurred as a casual in Oare Churchyard 1991.
Londonpride Saxifraga spathularis x umbrosa (S. x urbium) A garden escape naturalised on walls particularly at Simonsbath and in rocky woodland such as Barle Valley and Watersmeet areas.
Kidney Saxifrage Saxifraga hirsuta Garden escape or throw-out found under trees near Ashwick.
Meadow Saxifrage Saxifraga granulata Known at Horner Woods since 1937. A site at Barlynch was destroyed by tree felling. Also in Barle Valley and Exe Valley (double flowered).
Mossy Saxifrage Saxifraga hypnoides Only of garden origin in our area - it is native in Somerset at Cheddar Gorge.
Rue-leaved Saxifrage Saxifraga tridactylites Occurs on Minehead Golf Links and occasionally found elsewhere but has been sprayed at both Dunster Churchyard, and Minehead Railway.
Pick-a-back-plant Tolmiea menziesii On noted at Ashcombe Plantation, Simonsbath 1993.
Fringe-cups Tellima grandiflora A garden escape, naturalised in some areas. Abundant in the West Lyn Valley on rocks by roadside stretching for half a mile or more.
Opposite-leaved Golden-saxifrage Chrysosplenium oppositifolium Very common in most damp areas particularly shady sites by streams and in damp woodland.
Alternate-leaved Golden-saxifrage Chrysosplenium alternifolium Much less common than C. oppisitifolium. Only occurs in a few damp woodlands and streams.
Bridewort Spiraea salicifolia Garden origin occasionally found in hedges. Some records may refer to other garden species.
Billard's Bridewort Spiraea alba x douglasii (S. x billardii) In hedgerow.
Buck's-beard Aruncus dioicus Garden escape. A clump by River Avill in 1996 disappeared in later years.
Dropwort Filipendula vulgaris Garden escapes in our area. (A limestone species).
Meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria Common by streams and river valleys, damp meadows, ditches.
Kerria Kerria japonica Garden origin. Sometimes found in hedgerows.
Chinese Bramble Rubus tricolor A species introduced as ground cover by National Trust. Has become well established in some areas and seems likely to persist.
Stone Bramble Rubus saxatilis In shady, rocky woodland. Devon
Raspberry Rubus idaeus Hedgerows, woodland tracks, verges. Native but no doubt some are garden escapes or bird-sown.
Japanese Wineberry Rubus phoenicolasius Woodland.
Bramble Rubus fruticosus agg. Practically all recorders lump brambles into this aggregate. Hedgerows, woodland, moorland, widespread everywhere.
a bramble Rubus bertramii Confirmed from Exmoor.
a bramble Rubus nessensis Confirmed from Exmoor.
a bramble Rubus plicatus Confirmed from Exmoor.
a bramble Rubus scissus Confirmed from Exmoor.
a bramble Rubus albionis Confirmed from Exmoor.
a bramble Rubus gratus Confirmed from Exmoor.
a bramble Rubus laciniatus Sometimes bird-sown.
a bramble Rubus pyramidalis Confirmed from Exmoor.
a bramble Rubus altiarcuatus Confirmed from Exmoor.
a bramble Rubus boudiccae A 1918 record at 1250 ft Simonsbath (Marshall). det 1995 from Herbarium material DEA.
a bramble Rubus cardiophyllus Confirmed from Exmoor.
a bramble Rubus polyanthemus Confirmed from Exmoor.
a bramble Rubus prolongatus Confirmed from Exmoor.
a bramble Rubus riddelsdellii Confirmed from Exmoor.
a bramble Rubus rubritinctus Apparently fairly common.
a bramble Rubus ulmifolius Fairly frequently recorded.
a bramble Rubus adscitus Confirmed from Exmoor.
a bramble Rubus lanaticaulis An 1883 record from Bonniton, Dunster SS94, det from herbarium material in 1981
a bramble Rubus vestitus Probably frequent.
a bramble Rubus micans Confirmed from Exmoor.
a bramble Rubus cinerosus Confirmed from Exmoor.
a bramble Rubus dentatifolius Confirmed from Exmoor.
a bramble Rubus leyanus Confirmed from Exmoor.
a bramble Rubus echinatoides Confirmed from Exmoor.
a bramble Rubus echinatus Confirmed from Exmoor.
a bramble Rubus flexuosus Recorded in Devon Exmoor.
a bramble Rubus longithyrsiger Confirmed from Exmoor.
a bramble Rubus peninsulae Recorded from Devon Exmoor.
a bramble Rubus dasyphyllus Confirmed from Exmoor.
a bramble Rubus hylocharis Confirmed from Exmoor.
a bramble Rubus pallidisetus Confirmed from Exmoor.
a bramble Rubus scabripes Confirmed from Exmoor.
a bramble Rubus tamarensis Confirmed from Exmoor.
Dewberry Rubus caesius Fairly common unless some records are in error. Present on the coast. Absent from high moorland.
Marsh Cinquefoil Potentilla palustris Marshy area of a springhead.
Silverweed Potentilla anserina Roadsides, waste ground and many situations. Profuse on mud banks of Wimbleball Lake
Sulphur Cinquefoil Potentilla recta On walls or waste ground. Garden origin.
Tormentil Potentilla erecta Throughout on acid moorland and hedgebanks.
a tormentil Potentilla erecta ssp. erecta The commoner subsp. on Exmoor.
a tormentil Potentilla erecta ssp. strictissima Occasional.
a cinquefoil Potentilla anglica x erecta (P. x suberecta) Recorded at Wimbleball.
Trailing Tormentil Potentilla anglica Scarce.
Hybrid Cinquefoil Potentilla x mixta sens. lat. (P. anglica or erecta x reptans) Heaths and moors
Hybrid Cinquefoil Potentilla x mixta sens. str. Heaths. See also P. x mixta sens. lat.
Creeping Cinquefoil Potentilla reptans Verges, Waste ground etc. Not on the grass moors.
Barren Strawberry Potentilla sterilis Widespread in hedgebanks, verges, walls, etc.
Wild Strawberry Fragaria vesca Common in hedgerows, old grassland, woods, etc.
Garden Strawberry Fragaria x ananassa Occasional garden escape or throw-out. Near habitation.
Yellow-flowered Strawberry Duchesnea indica Churchyard. Garden origin.
Water Avens Geum rivale On banks of rivers, particularly the Exe and the Quarme.
Hybrid Avens Geum rivale x urbanum (G. x intermedium) In damp woodlands by rivers where both parents occur.
Herb Bennet Geum urbanum Woods, hedgerows, waste ground, garden weed, etc.
Agrimony Agrimonia eupatoria Hedgerows and field borders, verges. Mostly on the lower ground.
Fragrant Agrimony Agrimonia procera Rough grassland.
Great Burnet Sanguisorba officinalis Mainly to be found in Barle Valley between Lanacre and Hayes Wood, with one or two outlying sites nr Exford, Dulverton & Simonsbath.
Salad Burnet Sanguisorba minor ssp. minor Rare on Exmoor as it favours calcareous soils.
Fodder Burnet Sanguisorba minor ssp. muricata A rare introduction which is invariably associated with Wessex Water works eg by pumping houses and around Wimbleball Lake.
Pirri-pirri-bur Acaena novae-zelandiae This was recorded in error near Porlock in 1981 - see Acaena ovalifolia.
Two-spined Acaena Acaena ovalifolia First noted 1981 near gateway West Porlock (Wrongly named as A. novae-zealandae). Correctly named by Alan Leslie in 1988. By which time it had dwindled in original site but found in good numbers nearby in woods.
Silver Lady's-mantle Alchemilla conjuncta Only recorded as a garden escape or throw-out at Treborough Quarry.
Intermediate Lady's-mantle Alchemilla xanthochlora The commonest Lady's Mantle on Exmoor although absent from Minehead and Porlock areas. Grassy areas, verges, etc.
a lady's-mantle Alchemilla filicaulis ssp. vestita Damp grassland and verges. Has declined in N. & S. Somerset.
Soft Lady's-mantle Alchemilla mollis An increasing garden escape. Naturalising. Waste ground, roadsides, churchyards.
Parsley Piert Aphanes arvensis agg. Most records are recorded as the aggregate. Common in grassland, banks, short grazed moorland grassy areas.
Parsley-piert Aphanes arvensis sens.str. Common in short grass.
Slender Parsley-piert Aphanes inexspectata Probably under recorded as most records lumped as A. arvensis agg. In short, sandy grass, anthills, dry banks. Less common than A. arvensis ss
Many-flowered Rose Rosa multiflora A tiny flowered rose, believed to be this spp. grew in the hedge at Middlecombe, Minehead from before 1982 until about 1987.
Field Rose Rosa arvensis A fairly common hedgerow rose and edge of woodlands. Not on high moorland areas.
a rose Rosa arvensis x canina (R. x verticillacantha) Recorded by Paul Green just over ENP boundary Cuckolds Combe Bridge Sep 2003 (1st modern record for VC5)
Burnet Rose Rosa pimpinellifolia Only one record from roadside verge near Simonsbath. The only native Somerset site is believed to be Watchet cliffs.
Japanese Rose Rosa rugosa Garden origin. Hedges, verges, walls etc.
Short-styled Field-rose Rosa stylosa Hedgerows etc. Probably under recorded.
a rose Rosa canina x stylosa (R. x andegavensis) Hedgerows, woodlands, etc.
Dog Rose Rosa canina agg. Most recorders have lumped all rose records under this aggregate. Nevertheless it is the most widespread rose on Exmoor occurring in hedges, woodlands, waste ground, etc. but not on moorland.
a rose Rosa caesia x canina (R. x dumalis) Cliffs or quarries.
Harsh Downy-rose Rosa tomentosa Hedges, scrub, etc.
Sherard's Downy-rose Rosa sherardii Hedges, woodland borders.
Sweet-briar Rosa rubiginosa agg. Scrubby areas, hedgerows. The apple-like scent may not always be detected.
Almond Prunus dulcis Occasionally found in hedgerows usually planted by roadsides.
Cherry Plum Prunus cerasifera An introduction occasionally found in hedges.
a cherry plum Prunus cerasifera var. pissardii Purple leaves. An introduction.
Blackthorn Prunus spinosa Common in hedgerows, woodland, scrubby areas, etc. Not on moorland areas such as The Chains. Important for nesting birds and the fruit, sloes, are collected by wine makers.
Bullace or Crislings Prunus domestica Scattered reports of Bullace (ssp institutia) in old hedgerows and a report of unidentified ssp from Shilstone. Prunus domestica ssp dom. occasional but ssp institutia very rare. Several hedgerows where it formerly grew grubbed out.
Plum Prunus domestica ssp. domestica Hedges or woodlands, usually a relic of habitation. See also P. domestica L.
Damson Prunus domestica ssp. insititia Usually called Bullace. A few hedgerows or woodland borders. See also P. domestica L.
Greengage Prunus domestica ssp. italica In hedgerow, West Porlock 1993. No further details available and no other reports.
Wild Cherry Prunus avium Woodlands and hedges. Not on moorland. Frequent on Brendon Hills area. Often planted in new woodland late 1990s.
Dwarf Cherry Prunus cerasus Morello Cherry. Hedgerows, thickets.
Bird Cherry Prunus padus Only a couple of locations where it is probably planted.
Portugal Laurel Prunus lusitanica Generally planted.
Cherry Laurel Prunus laurocerasus A frequent introduction near habitation or relic of habitation. Sometimes becoming dominant on acid soils. e.g. Sully Mill where much has been cleared in recent years.
Japanese Quince Chaenomeles speciosa Recorded as a relic of habitation nr Kentisbury.
Maule's Quince Chaenomeles japonica Nr Bossington, 1997.
Pear Pyrus communis sens. lat. Relic of cultivation.
Crab Apple Malus sylvestris sens.str. Woodlands. See also M. sylvestris sens. lat.
Apple Malus domestica A frequent relic of cultivation; also verges, waste ground etc.
Rowan Sorbus aucuparia A widespread tree typical of moorland, combes, and woods. Native in our area.
a whitebeam Sorbus intermedia agg. Swedish Whitebeam. Believed native in Devon woodland.
a whitebeam Sorbus anglica Previously recorded but now believed incorrect.
Whitebeam Sorbus aria agg. Sorbus aria s.l. is not thought to occur on Exmoor other than as a planted tree. An as yet unclassified Sorbus known as Taxon D has been noted at Watersmeet, Devon and nr Worthy in Somerset.
a whitebeam Sorbus porrigentiformis Coastal woods.
a whitebeam Sorbus rupicola Coastal woods.
a whitebeam Sorbus vexans Coastal woodlands.
a whitebeam Sorbus subcuneata Coastal woodlands
a whitebeam Sorbus devoniensis Woodlands and hedgerows. Not found in Somerset until 1994.
French Hales Sorbus latifolia agg. Used as an aggregate name only in the Flora & Fauna of Exmoor National Park (1996).
Juneberry Amelanchier lamarckii Rare introduction which produces seedlings but these do not seem to survive.
Stranvaesia Photinia davidiana Planted in woodland above West Porlock (Haddon's old botanic garden).
a cotoneaster Cotoneaster glaucophyllus C. glaucophyllus. Single tree planted in woodland above W. Porlock. (N. Haddon's old botanic garden) The only other specimen in Br Isles is in a Scottish Botanic Garden.
Tree Cotoneaster Cotoneaster frigidus A few scattered trees in Oare and Culbone area.
Waterer's Cotoneaster Cotoneaster frigidus x salicifolius (C. x watereri) Planted in woodland above West Porlock (Haddon's old botanic garden)
Late Cotoneaster Cotoneaster lacteus Planted in woodland above W. Porlock (Haddon's old botanic garden)
Small-leaved Cotoneaster Cotoneaster integrifolius An uncommon garden escape, possibly bird-sown. Long established on the coast path near Heddon Mouth, Devon. Former name was C. microphyllus.
Wall Cotoneaster Cotoneaster horizontalis A common bird sown garden escape especially around habitations. On walls, quarries, banks and waste places.
Himalayan Cotoneaster Cotoneaster simonsii A fairly frequent escape or bird-sown from gardens. On walls, stony places, waste ground, etc.
Hollyberry Cotoneaster Cotoneaster bullatus Hedges, verges, waste areas, etc. Garden origin.
Franchet's Cotoneaster Cotoneaster franchetii Walls, waste ground, hedgerows. Garden origin.
Small-leaved Cotoneaster Cotoneaster microphyllus agg. Garden origin sometimes bird-sown. Long established on the coast path near Heddons Mouth. (Now C. integrifolius)
Firethorn Pyracantha coccinea Garden origin. Bird-sown. Railway embankment. Hedgerows.
Medlar Mespilus germanica Roadside hedge. Old introduction.
Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna Moorland, combes, hedgerows, etc. An important food source and nest site for birds. Small trees or hedgerow shrubs.
False Acacia Robinia pseudoacacia Planted trees only. Some very big trees at Timberscombe are host to huge clumps of Mistletoe.
Goat's-rue Galega officinalis A rare introduction long naturalised on waste ground at Minehead Warren, by Butlins Camp.
Kidney Vetch Anthyllis vulneraria Scattered along length of Exmoor coastline and a few inland records.
Narrow-leaved Bird's-foot-trefoil Lotus glaber Dry grassy places. Possibly under recorded but can easily be confused with poorly grown L. corniculatus. Only confirmed records are from Atlas to Devon Flora
Common Bird's-foot-trefoil Lotus corniculatus Common throughout. Dry or sandy grassland, verges, waste ground.
Large Bird's-foot-trefoil Lotus pedunculatus Common throughout. Damp grassland, moorland bogs and stream banks, ditches etc. Favours acid soils.
Bird's-foot Ornithopus perpusillus Widespread, usually in short turfy grass. Easily overlooked.
Tufted Vetch Vicia cracca Frequent in hedgerows and verges. Mainly concentrated in eastern section of our area.
Wood Vetch Vicia sylvatica Woodland and coastal cliffs. Also local Brendon Hill area.
Hairy Tare Vicia hirsuta Frequent in woods, hedges and agricultural land but not on moorland.
Smooth Tare Vicia tetrasperma Hedgebanks, verges, woodland borders, etc. Less common than V. hirsuta.
Bush Vetch Vicia sepium Common in hedgerows, woods, verges, but not on the high moorland areas.
Common Vetch Vicia sativa Less common that V. sepium, in hedgerows, woodland borders, field borders and verges. There are 3 subsp. nigra formerly known as Narrow leaved Vetch which is found on turfy moorland areas and is Native; ssp sativa formerly cultivated for fodder and probably the commonest ssp. and segetalis sometimes cultivated for fodder. The 2 latter are introductions usually found in field borders, hedges or verges.
Narrow-leaved Vetch Vicia sativa ssp. nigra Frequent on turfy moorland, verges, etc.
Common Vetch Vicia sativa ssp. sativa Formerly cultivated for fodder. Field borders and hedges. See also V. sativa L. Subsp. seldom determined by recorders and it may in fact prove to be rare now.
Spring Vetch Vicia lathyroides Coastal areas: golf links, coastal heath.
Bithynian Vetch Vicia bithynica Formerly at Minehead railway station, went when trains reintroduced. Small amounts in one or two places. Hedgerows waste ground etc.
Broad Bean Vicia faba Escape from cultivation
Bitter-vetch Lathyrus linifolius var. montanus Frequent in woodland borders, hedgebanks and heathland. There are two forms, one with very narrow leaflets.
Meadow Vetchling Lathyrus pratensis Common in hedgerows and field borders, but not on the moors.
Narrow-leaved Everlasting-pea Lathyrus sylvestris Best seen on Porlock shingle ridge but this also occurs in some hedgerows, verges and rough areas.
Broad-leaved Everlasting-pea Lathyrus latifolius A garden escape in some hedges, churchyards, etc.
Sweet Pea Lathyrus odoratus Garden escape.
Grass Vetchling Lathyrus nissolia A scarce plant of field borders, woodland borders, hedgebanks. Some found on a building site nr Porlock in 1979 was transferred to a bank in Great Headon Plantation where it remained until 1999.
Common Restharrow Ononis repens An uncommon plant mostly found near the coast, occasionally on verges and grassy places.
Tall Melilot Melilotus altissimus Just a couple of records from Somerset and a couple from Devon. Verges, rough ground or field borders.
White Melilot Melilotus albus No records since 1989. Waste ground, verges.
Ribbed Melilot Melilotus officinalis No records since 1991. Verges, field borders.
Black Medick Medicago lupulina Common in agricultural areas and near habitations but not on moorland. Grass verges, field gateways, waste ground, etc.
Sickle Medick Medicago sativa ssp. falcata Last seen in Somerset in 1924 N.G. Hadden at Minehead Warren
Lucerne Medicago sativa ssp. sativa An uncommon relic of cultivation. Verges, grassland, etc.
Toothed Medick Medicago polymorpha Recorded c1910 on North Hill by T.Twist & Minehead Golf Links 1967 by J. Robbins. Refound here by C.Giddens in 1978, 1988 and 1999. Our plant is var. tuberculata.
Spotted Medick Medicago arabica Verges, lawns, waste ground, etc. Frequent in North east part of our area, very rare elsewhere. Mostly in areas of agriculture or near habitations.
Fenugreek Trifolium ornithopodioides (Bird's-foot Clover) Short grassy, sandy areas near the coast.
White Clover Trifolium repens Common throughout the area. Verges, grassy areas, and other habitats from sea level to high moors.
Alsike Clover Trifolium hybridum Scattered distribution. Frequently planted as a fodder plant which becomes naturalised. Possibly native near the coast.
Clustered Clover Trifolium glomeratum First recorded on Coleman's Minehead List c1849, then by Hadden 1916 at Bossington. Search of old sites for Somerset Atlas Flora resulted in it being refound in 1993 at Dunster and Bossington
Suffocated Clover Trifolium suffocatum Only recorded from Minehead and Dunster Beach areas. Sandy places near the coast.
Strawberry Clover Trifolium fragiferum Seldom recorded. Damp grassland, verges.
Hop Trefoil Trifolium campestre Verges, grassy areas, sandy soils.
Lesser Trefoil Trifolium dubium Grassy areas, verges, lawns, hedge banks, walls.
Slender Trefoil Trifolium micranthum Short turf, lawns, sandy areas. A deeper shade of yellow than T. dubium.
Red Clover Trifolium pratense Common except on high moors. Verges, grassland, waste areas, fields, hedgerows, etc. Robust varieties are probably agricultural introductions.
Zigzag Clover Trifolium medium Verges, rough grassland.
Crimson Clover Trifolium incarnatum ssp. incarnatum Only one record of a single plant in root crop, Broomstreet 1991.
Knotted Clover Trifolium striatum Dry sandy grassland. Mainly in Porlock - Dunster Beach area.
Rough Clover Trifolium scabrum Only recorded from dry grassland in Porlock - Dunster Beach areas.
Hare's-foot Clover Trifolium arvense Short sandy grassland near the coast.
Sea Clover Trifolium squamosum Recorded Porlock Weir 1918 Dr W. Watson and Dunster Marshes sometime before 1896. Currently occurs on Somerset coast East of East Quantoxhead. Two Exmoor records in 1990s, one a lawn casual did not persist and one at Porlock Weir.
Subterranean Clover Trifolium subterraneum Short sandy grassland areas Porlock to Dunster Beach area.
Tree Lupin Lupinus arboreus Occurred as a casual in several places around Minehead 1967 - 1983 but no longer at any of these sites. May still occur in Devon near the coast.
Laburnum Laburnum anagyroides Hedgerows, woodland, verges. Usually self-sown seedlings from cultivated trees or garden throw-outs.
Hairy-fruited Broom Cytisus striatus One bush on roadside verge nr Minehead. (Now gone)
Broom Cytisus scoparius Forestry tracks, heathland, hedgerows, open woodland. Our plants are ssp. scoparius.
Montpellier Broom Genista monspessulana One bush in hedge nr Luccombe 1993
Petty Whin Genista anglica Recorded by Norman Haddon Langcombe Head 1938 and refound here in 1990 by C.J.Giddens.
Gorse Ulex europaeus Very common throughout. Moorland, hedgebanks, and woodland borders.
Western Gorse Ulex gallii Less frequent than U. europaeus but fairly common throughout area. An important constituant of coastal heaths.
Sea-buckthorn Hippophae rhamnoides Planted on dunes near the coast and in a derelict cottage garden in Lime Combe.
Eleagnus Elaeagnus pungens Planted in Hadden's old botanic garden in woodland above West Porlock.
Parrot's Feather Myriophyllum aquaticum Liable to occur from dumped material from garden pools. Does not survive very severe winters.
Alternate Water-milfoil Myriophyllum alterniflorum In upland streams.
Giant Rhubarb Gunnera tinctoria Planted by streams and ponds in ornamental gardens and established plants may self seed.
Purple-loosestrife Lythrum salicaria In the Heddon and Barle Valleys, scare elsewhere and seldom persisting. Some records may have been the result of dumped garden material.
Water Purslane Lythrum portula Frequent in damp moorland areas, reservoir banks, muddy tracks on acid soils.
Spurge-laurel Daphne laureola Shady damp banks and clayey non acid soils. Although native in parts of Somerset e.g. Blue Anchor-Watchet areas it is of garden origin in Exmoor area.
Great Willowherb Epilobium hirsutum Codlins & Cream. By water or in ditches on the lower ground.
Hoary Willowherb Epilobium parviflorum Widespread but not on moorland areas.
Broad-leaved Willowherb Epilobium montanum The most frequently recorded Willowherb. Occurs in a variety of habitats including verges, hedgebanks, woodlands, gardens, etc.
a willowherb Epilobium montanum x obscurum (E. x aggregatum) Rare.
a willowherb Epilobium ciliatum x montanum Probably occurs although no current records. Last recorded at Nettlecombe 1968. RGB Roe
Spear-leaved Willowherb Epilobium lanceolatum Widespread. Gardens, verges, waste ground, walls, etc.
a willowherb Epilobium lanceolatum x obscurum (E. x lamotteanum) Rare.
a willowherb Epilobium ciliatum x lanceolatum Rare.
Square-stalked Willowherb Epilobium tetragonum Damp moorland, hedgebanks, verges, waste ground, etc.
Short-fruited Willowherb Epilobium obscurum Hedgebanks, verges, cultivated and waste ground.
a willowherb Epilobium ciliatum x obscurum Rare.
Pale Willowherb Epilobium roseum Roadsides, verges. Scarce.
American Willowherb Epilobium ciliatum Cultivated and waste land, walls, verges, etc. First recorded in Britain in 1891. Widespread throughout Somerset by 1950s.
Marsh Willowherb Epilobium palustre Damp, boggy moorland areas.
New Zealand Willowherb Epilobium brunnescens Sometimes found in abundance on river banks e.g. Hoaroak Water also by track down to Wimbleball dam. Stream banks, woodland tracks, and walls. First Somerset record 1956 on the Quantocks.
Rosebay Willowherb Chamerion angustifolium Hedgerows, quarries, verges, waste ground. Abundant along roadsides on the Brendon Hills where it runs for miles.
Large-flowered Evening-primrose Oenothera glazioviana Naturalised in sandy areas Minehead to Dunster Beach, otherwise only a casual garden escape.
Least Evening-primrose Oenothera parviflora Recorded in error see Oe. Cambrica.
Small-flowered Evening-primrose Oenothera cambrica Garden escape. (Originally recorded in error as Oe. parviflora.)
Fragrant Evening-primrose Oenothera stricta Well naturalised in sandy areas between Minehead and Dunster Beach.
Fuchsia Fuchsia magellanica Garden relic or established introduction. May self-seed.
Enchanter's-nightshade Circaea lutetiana Woodlands, shady hedgerows, garden weed. Not on the high moorland.
Dogwood Cornus sanguinea Although this is a plant of calcareous soils it is surprisingly frequent in hedgerows particularly in the Selworthy area. Not on acid moorland. May sometimes be of garden origin.
Red-osier Dogwood Cornus sericea A rare introduction.
Cornelian-cherry Cornus mas Planted in woodland above West Porlock (N.Haddens old botanicûgarden).
Spotted-laurel Aucuba japonica Introduction.
Mistletoe Viscum album Only Exmoor records are within ten miles of Minehead. Has been noted on the following hosts: Apple, Crab Apple, Ornamental Willow, Lime, Hawthorn, False Acacia, Lilac. Only survived for 3 years on the Lilac.
Spindle Euonymus europaeus Fairly common in north and east of our area where soil is calcareous. Hedges, woodland borders, scrubby areas.
Holly Ilex aquifolium Common in woods, hedges and heaths. Not on the grass moors. A good pure stand at Holly Brake, east of Little Headon Plantation, Bratton Court Farm.
Box Buxus sempervirens Only of garden origin in our area. In hedgrows, usually near habitation. May self seed.
Dog's Mercury Mercurialis perennis Woods and hedgerows. Not on the higher ground. One of the earliest flowers to bloom.
Annual Mercury Mercurialis annua Common in cultivated land in Somerset (eastern) side of Exmoor. No records yet from Devon Exmoor. Said to have come into W. Somerset via a shipload of Russian wheat to Watchet.
Irish Spurge Euphorbia hyberna Woodland, Devon only. There was a 1898 report from a small wooded area on the Somerset side of Badgworthy Water, Malmsmead. Last reported there 1929.
Sun Spurge Euphorbia helioscopia Cultivated and waste ground.
Caper Spurge Euphorbia lathyris A weed of waste ground, roadsides, etc. Usually a garden escape. Said to deter moles! Green.
Dwarf Spurge Euphorbia exigua Very rarely recorded. Cultivated or waste land, grassy banks. Not on acid soil. Mainly Brendon Hill area.
Petty Spurge Euphorbia peplus A common weed of waysides, waste ground, and cultivated ground but not on the moors.
Portland Spurge Euphorbia portlandica A record c1910 from T.Twist Porlock Beach. Presumed a casual which did not persist. No recent records.
Sea Spurge Euphorbia paralias Formerly occurred at Dunster Beach - records here dated 1910 T.Twist; 1950s D.N.Williams; 1953 O. Russell. Mostly at east end of foreshore. No records since 1953
Wood Spurge Euphorbia amygdaloides ssp. amygdaloides In areas of ancient woodland and on sea cliffs.
a spurge Euphorbia amygdaloides ssp. robbiae Garden escape. Verges.
Alder Buckthorn Frangula alnus A big old tree near Great Gate in wood at Hawkridge. Found in small leaf 25.5.85 later conf. by Capt. R. Roe as first record since Murray's in the area from 'Woods at Dulverton". Probably the largest specimen in Somerset.
Grape-vine Vitis vinifera An old relic of cultivation on rough area of ground at Dunster.
Virginia-creeper Parthenocissus quinquefolia Old walls or dumped on waste ground. Garden origin.
Boston Ivy Parthenocissus tricuspidata Introduction. Walls etc.
Pale Flax Linum bienne Dry sunny banks or fields. On calcareous ground so missing from most of Exmoor.
Flax Linum usitatissimum Frequently grown on 'set aside' land and subsequently occurs as a relic or escape in field borders, hedgrows and verges. Occasionally a bird-seed alien.
Fairy Flax Linum catharticum Particularly on calcareous ground. Tracks, verges, grassland, banks
Common Milkwort Polygala vulgaris Not common as it prefers calcareous soil. Mostly to the east of the area.
Heath Milkwort Polygala serpyllifolia On acid moorland and heathland. The common Exmoor species.
Horse-chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Many old introductions which produce seedlings but these are usually grazed or mown down. Woods, parkland, hedgerows. Not in high moorland areas.
Red Horse-chestnut Aesculus carnea A few fairly recent introductions. Verges, hedgerows, parkland.
Norway Maple Acer platanoides Recent introductions are seeding and may becombe naturalised. Woods, hedgerows.
Field Maple Acer campestre Frequent but mainly in the east section. Favours calcareous soils. Woods, hedgerows, scrub. Included in new woodland plantings.
Downy Japanese-maple Acer japonicum Planted in woodland above West Porlock (Haddons old botanic garden).
Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus An introduction which has become dominant in some woodlands eg along the coast. Also in hedgerows. Seeds freely. Throughout the area except the most remote moorland.
Ashleaf Maple Acer negundo Planted in parks and gardens.
Smooth Japanese-maple Acer palmatum Single planted tree on steep bank on E. side of road on edge of Great Wood, Monksilver.
Stag's-horn Sumach Rhus hirta Rare introduction on road verges.
a sumach Fatsia japonica Self-sown at base of wall on roadside, Porlock Weir.
Chilean Yellow-sorrel Oxalis valdiviensis Last reported as a garden weed in Minehead 1959.
Procumbent Yellow-sorrel Oxalis corniculata Paths, walls, gardens, etc. Garden origin. Usually near habitations.
a procumbent yellow-sorrel Oxalis corniculata var. atropurpurea Garden origin.
Upright Yellow-sorrel Oxalis stricta Walls, roadsides, near habitation. Garden origin.
Pink-sorrel Oxalis articulata A persistent weed near habitations. Garden origin.
Wood-sorrel Oxalis acetosella In woods and hedgerows. One of the few plants found in upland beech hedges. Only scarce in the Chains area. Not uncommon to find pink flowered varieties.
Garden Pink-sorrel Oxalis latifolia In recent years has become a troublesome weed in allotments and flower beds in Minehead and Dunster area. It has also been noted in the Heddon Valley.
Four-leaved Pink-sorrel Oxalis tetraphylla A weed in Nettlecombe Court.
Pale Pink-sorrel Oxalis incarnata A weed around habitations in the northern section of our area. Gardens, roadsides, etc.
French Crane's-bill Geranium endressii Garden origin. Verges, hedge banks, etc.
Druce's Crane's-bill Geranium endressii x versicolor (G. x oxonianum) Garden origin. Verges, etc.
Pencilled Crane's-bill Geranium versicolor Garden origin but very well naturalised in Porlock Vale and some other areas. Hedgebanks, etc.
Knotted Crane's-bill Geranium nodosum Verges. Garden origin. No current Exmoor records.
Round-leaved Crane's-bill Geranium rotundifolium Only a small amount on the very edge of Exmoor boundary near Carhampton.
Meadow Crane's-bill Geranium pratense Although native in N. Somerset it is only a garden escape or introduction in our area.
Bloody Crane's-bill Geranium sanguineum Waste ground, stony areas. Garden origin, sometimes persistent. (Native in N. Somerset).
Long-stalked Crane's-bill Geranium columbinum Mainly in north and east of our area. Favours a more calcareous soil. In some hedgebanks, dry grassland, etc. Not on the moors.
Cut-leaved Crane's-bill Geranium dissectum Hedgebanks, verges, field borders, not on high moorland.
Purple Crane's-bill Geranium ibericum x platypetalum (G. x magnificum) Garden origin. Verges, etc.
Hedgerow Crane's-bill Geranium pyrenaicum Hedge banks, verges, field borders. Mostly in the north and east part of our area, probably because the soil is less acid there.
Small-flowered Crane's-bill Geranium pusillum Several reports but the most reliable ones appear to be on the coast between Dunster Beach and Porlock. 1970s.
Dove's-foot Crane's-bill Geranium molle Common in hedgebanks, verges, fields, etc. but not on the moors.
Rock Crane's-bill Geranium macrorrhizum Garden origin. Hedgebanks, verges, etc.
Shining Crane's-bill Geranium lucidum Hedgebanks, walls, verges. Not on the more remote areas.
Herb-robert Geranium robertianum Hedgerows, verges, waste ground, cultivated ground, walls and woodland borders. Only absent from moorland in The Chains area. The common one is subsp. robertianum.
a crane's-bill Geranium robertianum ssp. maritimum On coastal shingle Porlock Weir to Dunster Beach. Possibly occurs on Devon coast but not so far recorded.
Dusky Crane's-bill Geranium phaeum An infrequent but occasionally long est-ablished garden escape
Sea Stork's-bill Erodium maritimum Coastal rocks and tracks and sandy areas.
Musk Stork's-bill Erodium moschatum In grassland near Minehead and Porlock only.
Common Stork's-bill Erodium cicutarium Grassy turf and sandy areas near the sea, occasionally inland.
Sticky Stork's-bill Erodium lebelii Minehead Golf Links and Dunster beach.
Nasturtium Tropaeolum majus Garden escapes.
Indian Balsam Impatiens glandulifera Stream and river banks, waste ground, verges. An increasing species in the area.
Common Ivy Hedera helix In hedges, woods, trees, etc. widespread. Only unrecorded from a few tetrads in the area of The Chains. Records are mostly for subsp. helix.
Atlantic Ivy Hedera helix ssp. hibernica Ground cover in a few woodlands but probably under recorded.
Marsh Pennywort Hydrocotyle vulgaris In boggy moorland areas.
Sanicle Sanicula europaea Shady hedgerows, verges and stream banks, woodlands. In most woods, not on moorland.
Sea Holly Eryngium maritimum Recorded in sandy areas at Minehead in Murray (1896). Long gone.
Rough Chervil Chaerophyllum temulum Hedgebanks, verges, woodland borders. Common in these situations on the eastern side of Exmoor but not on the higher moorland.
Cow Parsley Anthriscus sylvestris Hedgerows, verges, woodlands, in most areas except the higher moorland. Probably the commonest umbellifer, sometimes abundant.
Bur Parsley Anthriscus caucalis Only recorded in a few sandy areas near the coast. Porlock to Dunster Beach.
Shepherd's-needle Scandix pecten-veneris Once a common weed of arable land but now very rare. There have been two cases of plants arising from dormant seed since 1974. One in a garden after deep digging and one on a roadside where bank was cut away. Both only lasted a few years.
Sweet Cicely Myrrhis odorata Garden origin but apparently naturalised in a few hedgerows or verges.
Alexanders Smyrnium olusatrum Very common in hedgerows near the coast where it is increasing and sometimes abundant. Also waste ground and verges.
Pignut Conopodium majus Common in woods and short grass on moorland and hedgebanks. Widespread.
Greater Burnet-saxifrage Pimpinella major Only record is from near Parracombe.
Burnet-saxifrage Pimpinella saxifraga In dry calcareous grassland, churchyards.
Ground-elder Aegopodium podagraria A troublesome garden weed which is also found on verges, hedgebanks, woodland borders, etc. Difficult to eradicate.
Lesser Water-parsnip Berula erecta Very rare - only recorded from Dunster Hawn pool where it has since probably been cleared out.
Rock Samphire Crithmum maritimum Small amounts occur all along the coast from Combe Martin to Dunster Beach.
Tubular Water-dropwort Oenanthe fistulosa A record from Porlock Marsh in 1986 presumed gone. Has declined in Somerset generally.
Corky-fruited Water-dropwort Oenanthe pimpinelloides No recent records but reported from Minehead and Lynton in past years.
Hemlock Water-dropwort Oenanthe crocata Ditches, streams and rivers, marshy fields. Widespread. There have been instances of cattle and ponies being poisoned by this plant.
Fool's parsley Aethusa cynapium ssp. cynapium Arable land and waste ground. Occasionally in hedge banks. The commonest subsp.
a fool's parsley Aethusa cynapium ssp. agrestis Less common than ssp. cynapium. Similar situations i.e. Arable and waste land.
Fennel Foeniculum vulgare Mainly occurs in waste land or sandy areas near the sea where it is native. Inland sites near habitations are probably garden escapes.
Pepper-saxifrage Silaum silaus In dry, unimproved grassland. Has declined in areas of intensive farming. Only in one or two Exmoor sites.
Hemlock Conium maculatum Hedgerows, field borders, waste ground. Not on the moors.
Thorow-wax Bupleurum rotundifolium Extinct. Recorded by N.G. Hadden in Porlock Gardens c1948.
False Thorow-wax Bupleurum subovatum Was seen at Dunster Beach in 1960s. A bird-seed alien.
Wild Celery Apium graveolens Usually near the sea or on waste ground or tips. Scarce
Fool's Water-cress Apium nodiflorum Common by streams both lowland and moorland but not Chains area.
Garden Parsley Petroselinum crispum Surprisingly no current records. Could occur on tips or dumping areas.
Corn Parsley Petroselinum segetum Very rare in our area although it is said to be increasing in mid Somerset. No longer a cornfield weed but it is occasionally found on banks etc.
Stone Parsley Sison amomum Common in Porlock to Minehead and Brendon Hill area. Waysides, waste ground, hedgbanks, etc.
Bullwort Ammi majus New record VC5 in 1982, garden weed Minehead also at Alcombe and Porlock in 1980s. Probably birdseed origin, or imported with other seed.
Wild Angelica Angelica sylvestris Widespread along rivers and streams. Absent from much of Porlock area SS84.
Garden Angelica Angelica archangelica Only record was from a ditch behind Butlins Holiday Camp at Minehead but this did not persist.
Wild Parsnip Pastinaca sativa ssp. sativa var. sylvestris Waste ground, verges.
Parsnip Pastinaca sativa ssp. sativa var. hortensis Casual garden throw-out. Waste ground.
Hogweed Heracleum sphondylium Hedges, waste ground, field borders, woodland edges, etc. Widespread, only absent from moorland areas such as The Chains.
Giant Hogweed Heracleum mantegazzianum Waste ground, pavement edges, hedge banks and near streams.
Upright Hedge-parsley Torilis japonica Hedgerows, verges, woodland borders.
Knotted Hedge-parsley Torilis nodosa Dry grassland, lawns, verges, mainly near the coast
Wild Carrot Daucus carota ssp. carota In dry neutral grassland, waste ground, verges. Not on acid land.
Carrot Daucus carota ssp. sativus Garden relic or throw out. Track. Could appear at dumps.
Common Centaury Centaurium erythraea Grassland, hedgebanks, tracks. Not on the more acid moorland.
Lesser Centaury Centaurium pulchellum No current records. Last c1965 N.G. Hadden from Ley Hill. Unconfirmed record Timberscombe 1990s
Yellow-wort Blackstonia perfoliata Sea cliffs, dry grassland, sandy areas. Absent from most of Exmoor area.
Field Gentian Gentianella campestris Extinct. Last recorded hill pastures between Oare & Culbone, N.G.Hadden 194O
Lesser Periwinkle Vinca minor Hedge banks, verges. Garden origin.
Intermediate Periwinkle Vinca difformis Garden origin. Hedgebanks.
Greater Periwinkle Vinca major Hedge banks, waste ground. Garden origin.
Apple of Peru Nicandra physalodes Field gateways, waste ground. Does not persist.
Duke of Argyll's Teaplant Lycium barbarum A few places on the coast but a fair amount where it does occur.
Chinese Teaplant Lycium chinense Edge of Minehead Golf Links
Henbane Hyoscyamus niger Recorded between Minehead and Dunster Beach since 1910.
Tomato Lycopersicon esculentum Rubbish dumps and foreshore from sewage dispersal.
Black Nightshade Solanum nigrum ssp. nigrum Frequent agricultural weed and in waste places but mainly in the north and east section of our area.
Green Nightshade Solanum physalifolium Cultivated and waste ground, waysides.
Leafy-fruited Nightshade Solanum sarachoides Probably recorded in error for S. physalifolium.
Bittersweet Solanum dulcamara Hedgerows, waste areas, coast, woodland borders.
Potato Solanum tuberosum Garden throw-outs, relics of cultivation, waste ground, tips.
Kangaroo-apple Solanum laciniatum A very rare escape from cultivation. Only noted from West Porlock area.
Thorn-apple Datura stramonium Recorded Dunster Beach 1956 and various locations in Bossington/Porlock area since 1959. Occasionally abundant Very local in distribution and not recorded every year. Agricultural and waste land.
Wild Tobacco Nicotiana rustica Single plant on heap of soil, Minehead 1992
Petunia Petunia axillaris x integrifolia (P. x hybrida) Garden escapes
Field Bindweed Convolvulus arvensis Roadsides, hedgebanks, agricultural land, waste land. Not on central moorland.
Hedge Bindweed Calystegia sepium Hedgerows. Possibly over recorded in error for the introduced C. silvatica which is usually more common.
a bindweed Calystegia sepium x silvatica (C. x lucana) Hedgerows, waste ground, etc.
Hairy Bindweed Calystegia pulchra Waste ground. Only one record.
Large Bindweed Calystegia silvatica Commoner than the native C. sepium. Similar situations, hedgerows, gardens, cultivated ground, etc. Usually near habitation. Some records may be confused with C. sepium.
Dodder Cuscuta epithymum Parasitic on Gorse, Whortleberry, Wood Sage, Heathers. Sometimes abundant on North Hill, Minehead. Only recorded from northern Exmoor.
Bogbean Menyanthes trifoliata In upland boggy areas, sometimes in quantity but generally rather sparse.
Fringed Water-lily Nymphoides peltata Ponds. A 1986 record at Dunster Hawn did not persist.
Jacob's-ladder Polemonium caeruleum Garden escape. Hedgerows, verges.
Phacelia Phacelia tanacetifolia Garden escape. Bird seed alien or relic of cultivation.
Field Gromwell Lithospermum arvense No recent records. Last recorded by N.G. Hadden 1965 as an occasional weed at Porlock.
Viper's Bugloss Echium vulgare On the coast and occasionally in dry pastures inland.
Lungwort Pulmonaria officinalis Garden origin. Verges, waste ground.
Common Comfrey Symphytum officinale Verges, damp field or woodland borders
Russian Comfrey Symphytum asperum x officinale (S. x uplandicum) Verges, waste ground. Said to be increasing.
Hidcote Comfrey Symphytum 'Hidcote Blue' (S. asperum x grandiflorum x officinale) Garden origin. Waste ground.
Creeping Comfrey Symphytum grandiflorum Verges, hedge banks, woodland edges. Garden origin. Sometimes dominant.
White Comfrey Symphytum orientale Roadsides, field borders, stream banks. Garden origin. Plentiful at Allerford.
Great Forget-me-not Brunnera macrophylla An occasional garden escape or throw-out on dumps etc. Sometimes confused with Blue-eyed-Mary.
Bugloss Anchusa arvensis A small amount at Dunster Beach/Minehead Golf Links. Once recorded as an arable weed.
Green Alkanet Pentaglottis sempervirens In hedgerows and waste ground below 1000 ft. A writer in the Church Times 1905 stated near the Weir by the roadside are many plants of the intensely blue alkonet ... a distinct rarety. Usually near habitations as it is an old introduction.
Borage Borago officinalis Garden origin. Verges, waste ground etc. Does not persist.
Abraham-Isaac-Jacob Trachystemon orientalis Garden origin. Woodland edge and verge.
Water Forget-me-not Myosotis scorpioides Banks of the larger rivers and streams or by ponds.
Creeping Forget-me-not Myosotis secunda The commonest forget-me-not on Exmoor. In most upland boggy areas and by streams and ponds.
Tufted Forget-me-not Myosotis laxa Ponds and stream banks. Possibly under recorded.
Wood Forget-me-not Myosotis sylvatica A garden escape only in our area. Woodlands, waste ground, verges.
Field Forget-me-not Myosotis arvensis Verges, fields, often in corn stubble.
Early Forget-me-not Myosotis ramosissima Coastal grassland, sandy areas.
Changing Forget-me-not Myosotis discolor Walls, waste ground, by tracks, verges.
Blue-eyed Mary Omphalodes verna Occasionally recorded in error for Brunnera macrophylla (Great Forget-me-not)
Hound's-tongue Cynoglossum officinale Sandy areas on the coast, and on a dry slope above Wootton Courtenay 1914 and 1995.
Vervain Verbena officinalis Near the coast and on non acid soil in Washford Vale.
Argentinian Vervain Verbena bonariensis Escapes from gardens and flower baskets.
Betony Stachys officinalis Neutral grassland, churchyards, hedgebanks. Widespread.
Hedge Woundwort Stachys sylvatica Hedgebanks, verges, woodland borders. Common and widespread except for remote grass moorland areas.
Hybrid Woundwort Stachys palustris x sylvatica (S. x ambigua) Hedgebanks, ditches both dry or damp areas. Most frequent in south of area; possibly under recorded.
Marsh Woundwort Stachys palustris Not on high moors but frequent along streams, rivers and damp grassland.
Field Woundwort Stachys arvensis Weed of arable land. Mainly in Porlock - Minehead area, the Brendons and Heasley Mill areas.
Black Horehound Ballota nigra subsp. foetida. Mainly in the Minehead area. Hedge banks and waste ground.
Motherwort Leonurus cardiaca arden escapes; extinct. Known at Bossington 1913-1930 and "plentiful on Woodcombe slopes with white mullein c1900. An interesting record from Old Cleeve just off Exmoor in 2001.
Yellow Archangel Lamiastrum galeobdolon ssp. montanum Hedgebanks, woodlands, shady areas. Not on moorland. The wild plant is subsp. montanum.
Garden Yellow Archangel Lamiastrum galeobdolon ssp. argentatum An increasing garden escape or throw-out which quickly forms a ground cover. Hedgebanks and verges.
White Dead-nettle Lamium album Verges, waste ground, hedge banks. Not on moorland.
Spotted Dead-nettle Lamium maculatum Garden escape or throw-out. Verges etc.
Red Dead-nettle Lamium purpureum Cultivated ground, verges, waste ground. Not on remote moorland.
Cut-leaved Dead-nettle Lamium hybridum Mainly in Brendon Hills area. A weed of cultivated land.
Hen-bit Dead-nettle Lamium amplexicaule Cultivated ground, walls, verges. Only recorded in north-east part of area.
Common Hemp-nettle [agg.] Galeopsis tetrahit agg. Arable land, damp verges. Some records probably should bereferred to G. bifida.
Bifid Hemp-nettle Galeopsis bifida Verges, hedgerows, damp moorland. Probably under recorded due to confusion with G. tetrahit L.
Jerusalem Sage Phlomis fruticosa Naturalised in field border near Selworthy but heads collected annually, probably by flower arrangers.
Bastard Balm Melittis melissophyllum Woods and woodland borders and banks.
White Horehound Marrubium vulgare ecorded by D. Williams as "Plentiful, Minehead Warren in 1923. A few plants seen 1974 in field on North Hill and on Dunster Beach in 1979 but none seen in area since 1983.
Skullcap Scutellaria galericulata Banks of R. Barle.
Lesser Skullcap Scutellaria minor On wet moorland boggy areas. Some sites have been lost due to drainage.
Wood Sage Teucrium scorodonia Hedges, woods, heather moorland. Widespread. Only missing from some remote moorland areas.
Bugle Ajuga reptans Damp woods and shady verges and meadows.
Garden Cat-mint Nepeta nepetella x racemosa (N. x faassenii) Garden escape.
Ground-ivy Glechoma hederacea hedgebanks, woods, verges, etc. Common except on the grass moors.
Selfheal Prunella vulgaris Lawns, verges, grassland, woodland and upland. Widespread.
Balm Melissa officinalis Garden escape. Waysides etc. near habitations.
Common Calamint Clinopodium ascendens Frequent in the Minehead - Porlock area. A few other scattered locations near habitation on non acid soils.
Wild Basil Clinopodium vulgare Grassy banks, hedgerows.
Wild Marjoram Origanum vulgare Hedge banks, churchyards, verges. Most records are probably garden escapes but some may possibly be native.
Large Thyme Thymus pulegioides Grassland.
Wild Thyme Thymus polytrichus Dry grassland especially near the coast; anthills.
Gipsywort Lycopus europaeus Ditches and marshy ground.
Corn Mint Mentha arvensis Widespread in arable areas, not on moorland. Fields, verges, hedgebanks, reservoir banks.
Whorled Mint Mentha aquatica x arvensis (M. x verticillata) Fairly frequent on eastern section of area, scarce in west or under recorded. Damp places and arable land.
Bushy Mint Mentha arvensis x spicata (M. x gracilis) Recorded in the area in 2001. Previously thought extinct in Somerset.
Water Mint Mentha aquatica Common by upland streams and boggy areas also damp areas and ditches lower down.
Peppermint Mentha aquatica x spicata (M. x piperita) By streams and rivers or pond edges. var. dumetorum (Hairy Peppermint) has been recorded but is very rare. It is no longer recognised as a subspecies.
Spear Mint Mentha spicata Escapes from cultivation or garden throw-outs. Waste places, dumps, etc.
Apple-mint Mentha spicata x suaveolens (M. x villosa) The various varieties of Apple-mint have long caused headaches in the area! The above hybrid has however been confirmed
Garden Apple-mint Mentha x villosa var. alopecuroides Confirmed from stream banks at Allerford and Bossington. (Originally recorded in error as M. suaveolens).
Round-leaved Mint Mentha suaveolens This species is thought to occur near habitations as a garden escape. It was recorded in error from stream banks atûBossington and Allerford where sp. was later determined as Mûx villosa var alopecuroides.
Pennyroyal Mentha pulegium Appeared in newly dug part of garden, Bossington Lane.û1982. Persisted many years, may be still there.
Corsican Mint Mentha requienii Garden weed in paths Porlock Weir 1975.
Garden Lavender Lavandula angustifolia x latifolia (L. x intermedia) Garden escapes.
Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis Garden escapes on walls
Wild Clary Salvia verbenaca Sandy areas near the coast. Has declined. One inland record.
Whorled Clary Salvia verticillata An alien, established at Lower Marsh, Dunster since 1918 - Roe. But now gone.
Common Water-starwort Callitriche stagnalis sens.str. On mud on tracks, by pools, ditches, etc.
Various-leaved Water-starwort Callitriche platycarpa Ponds, streams and ditches.
Blunt-fruited Water-starwort Callitriche obtusangula Ditches, streams, ponds.
Pedunculate Water-starwort Callitriche brutia Very rare.
Intermediate Water-Starwort Callitriche hamulata sens.str. Rivers, streams, ponds.
Buck's-horn Plantain Plantago coronopus All along the coast and a few inland sites e.g. WoottonûCourtenay.
Sea Plantain Plantago maritima Coastal mud and salt marsh.
Greater Plantain Plantago major Throughout. Only absent from some moorland areas and woods. Both subsp. major and intermedia occur.
a greater plantain Plantago major ssp. major The usual subsp. but see under P. major L.
a greater plantain Plantago major ssp. intermedia Recorded from Wimbleball Lake; may occur near the sea.
Hoary Plantain Plantago media Only a few records from non acid soils.
Ribwort Plantain Plantago lanceolata Recorded from all but one tetrad where it may well occur.
Shoreweed Littorella uniflora Abundant at Wimbleball Lake and in smaller quantities at Nutscale and places on the R. Barle where it was first recorded in 1918. Increased
Butterfly-bush Buddleja davidii A frequently naturalized escape from gardens. Waste ground, roadsides, etc. usually near habitation. var. nanhoensis recorded Culver Cliff Wood 1995.
Winter Jasmine Jasminum nudiflorum Garden escape.
a forsythia Forsythia suspensa In scrub on E. side of fp leading to Hurlstone Point 1997.
Forsythia Forsythia suspensa x viridissima (F. x intermedia) Hedges. Garden origin.
Manna Ash Fraxinus ornus Planted in woodland above West Porlock (N. Hadden's old botanic garden).
Ash Fraxinus excelsior Hedgerows, woodlands. Fine old specimens often occur near farmsteads. Only absent from The Chains area of moorland.
Lilac Syringa vulgaris Garden origin. Persistent in some hedgerows or old cottage gardens. Naturalised on sea cliffs at Quay West, Minehead.
Wild Privet Ligustrum vulgare Hedges, scrub, woodland borders and sand dunes at Dunster Beach. Frequent away from moorland.
Garden Privet Ligustrum ovalifolium Hedges and waste ground near habitations.
Eyebright Euphrasia sp. A very difficult group comprising 82 species in Britain plus hybrids. Most records therefore refer to the aggregate. Little attempt has been made to identify them on Exmoor but the following sp. have been confirmed: E. anglica; E. anglica x confusa; E. nemorosa; E. confusa; E. micrantha. E. anglica x micrantha 1952; E. arctica ssp borealis; E. tetraquetra c1980; E. confusa x micrantha; E. scottica.
Moth Mullein Verbascum blattaria Only records are from near Lynmouth.
Twiggy Mullein Verbascum virgatum Recorded from shingle bank at Minehead in 1892 and still there in 2002. Also noted in churchyards and at Lee Bay.
Orange Mullein Verbascum phlomoides Churchyards, waste ground, etc. Does not seem to persist.
Great Mullein Verbascum thapsus Waste ground, shingle, hedges, stony fields. Not on moorland.
a mullein Verbascum x thapsi Near Bossington where both parents are native. The white mullein is the yellow-flowered form.
Dark Mullein Verbascum nigrum Waste ground, churchyards, verges, etc.
White Mullein Verbascum lychnitis The yellow flowered form is endemic around Allerford and Bossington where it was recorded in 1850. The quantity varies from year to year and it has had several narrow escapes with path trimming and pulling in mistake for ragwort. It is on National Trust sub let land but no satisfactory management plans have been devised.
Common Figwort Scrophularia nodosa Waste places, woodlands, hedgerows. Not on central moorlands.
Water Figwort Scrophularia auriculata Less common than S. nodosa. By rivers and streams, ponds etc.
Musk Mimulus moschatus Weed at Nettlecombe Court 1968. Pinkery Farm and Huntscott Farm, 1992.
Monkeyflower Mimulus guttatus By streams and river, sometimes in quantity.
a monkeyflower Mimulus guttatus x luteus (M. x robertsii) By streams, rivers and ponds. Sometimes abundant.
Blood-drop Emlets Mimulus luteus Very rare and records are more likely to be the hybrid M x robertsii.
Mudwort Limosella aquatica Recorded in 1848 and 1849 in shallow ditches on the salt-marshes, Dunster. Herb. BM.Wimbleball 2001.
a slipperwort Calceolaria integrifolia Garden origin. Wall in Minehead.
Snapdragon Antirrhinum majus On old walls about habitations.
Small Toadflax Chaenorhinum minus Waste ground and railway tracks.
Weasel's-snout Misopates orontium Mainly confined to Porlock Vale where it has decreased in recent years due to change of farming methods.
Trailing Snapdragon Asarina procumbens There have been a few records from walls and gardens, possibly bird-seed origin.
Ivy-leaved Toadflax Cymbalaria muralis On old walls and stony banks around towns and villages where it is well naturalised. First Somerset record 1868; First Devon record 1797. It is subsp. muralis.
Sharp-leaved Fluellen Kickxia elatine A scarce weed in arable/cultivated land.
Round-leaved Fluellen Kickxia spuria A rare weed of arable/cultivated land.
Common Toadflax Linaria vulgaris Hedge banks. Not on moorland.
Purple Toadflax Linaria purpurea Walls, banks, waste ground near habitations. Garden origin.
Pale Toadflax Linaria repens Garden origin.
Foxglove Digitalis purpurea Hedge banks, moorland, woodland - sometimes abundant for a few seasons after clear-felling of trees.
Fairy Foxglove Erinus alpinus A garden escape on walls near habitations.
Thyme-leaved Speedwell Veronica serpyllifolia Tracks, moors, heaths, arable land, gardens, churchyards, etc. Ours is subsp. serpyllifolia.
Heath Speedwell Veronica officinalis Usually in short grass on acid moorland and heaths also hedgebanks.
Germander Speedwell Veronica chamaedrys Hedge banks, woodland, verges.
Wood Speedwell Veronica montana Woodland and shady hedgerows.
Marsh Speedwell Veronica scutellata Boggy moorland areas, stream banks.
Brooklime Veronica beccabunga Streams, ditches, ponds and reservoirs. Damp areas. Not on the higher moorland.
Pink Water-speedwell Veronica catenata Only records are from Minehead Marshes where it has declined along with the area of marshland.
Wall Speedwell Veronica arvensis Walls, stubble fields, dry banks, lawns, etc.
Green Field-speedwell Veronica agrestis Arable land or gardens.
Grey Field-speedwell Veronica polita Gardens, waste ground, agricultural land.
Common Field-speedwell Veronica persica Gardens, arable land, waste ground, verges. Only scarce on the remote moorland. First recorded in Britain in 1825 and by 1896 (Murray) it had colonised extensively throughout Somerset. First recorded in Devon in 1841.
Slender Speedwell Veronica filiformis Sometimes forming a blue carpet in lawns, verges, churchyards, grassy places. First recorded in Somerset at Bicknoller 1932.
Ivy-leaved Speedwell [agg.] Veronica hederifolia Common except in moorland areas as the Chains. Gardens, verges, arable land, woods. Both subsp. occur but ssp. lucorum is the commoner.
an ivy-leaved speedwell Veronica hederifolia ssp. hederifolia Less common than ssp. lucorum ssp hederifolia has bluer flowers.
an ivy-leaved speedwell Veronica hederifolia ssp. lucorum Commoner than ssp. hederifolia ssp lucorum has paler, lilac-blue flowers.
Garden Speedwell Veronica longifolia Garden origin. Seen in 1982 and 1998 in hedgerow at Blagdon Cross.
Koromiko Hebe salicifolia Garden origin. Hedgerows.
Barker's Hebe Hebe barkeri Hedgerow. Garden origin.
Cornish Moneywort Sibthorpia europaea Stream banks, wet hedge banks, boggy areas. SS84 is said to be where it is most prolific in Britain. Has increased in recent years.
Common Cow-wheat Melampyrum pratense Hedge banks, open woodland, moorland. Semi-parisitic on whortleberry. Foodplant of Heath Fritillary butterfly larvae.
an eyebright Euphrasia anglica Grassy upland areas. Distribution not known due toûdifficulties in identification.
an eyebright Euphrasia anglica x confusa Short upland turf. Distribution not known due to difficulties in identification.
an eyebright Euphrasia anglica x micrantha Upland turf. Distribution not known due to difficulties in identification. Only record nr Withypool 1952 - not reported since.
an eyebright Euphrasia arctica ssp. borealis Old records pre 1970 at least from Simonsbath and Bossington. Nothing recent. Distribution not known due to difficulties in identification.
an eyebright Euphrasia tetraquetra re 1980. "A few places near the coast from Porlock eastwards No recent records probably overlooked due to difficulties in identification. Grassland.
an eyebright Euphrasia nemorosa Heathland and pastures. Distribution not known due to difficulties in identification.
an eyebright Euphrasia confusa Grassland. Upland areas. Distribution not known due to difficulties in identification.
an eyebright Euphrasia confusa x micrantha Upland turfy areas. Distribution not known due to difficulties in identification.
an eyebright Euphrasia micrantha Heather moorland. Distribution not known due to difficulties in identification.
an eyebright Euphrasia scottica No current records. Last reported nr Simonsbath and nr Withypool 1918 - Marshall. Possibly overlooked due to difficulties in identification.
Red Bartsia Odontites vernus Fields, grassland, arable land, by tracks. Records refer to subsp. serotinus.
Yellow-rattle Rhinanthus minor Common in the Devon section of Exmoor on grassy banks, verges, meadows. Sparse otherwise. No work has been done on the various subspecies.
Marsh Lousewort (Red Rattle) Pedicularis palustris Commonest in the central moorland bogs.
Lousewort Pedicularis sylvatica Common on damp moorland. Our plants are subsp. sylvatica.
Foxglove-tree Paulownia tomentosa Self sown from parent tree in Greencombe Gardens on to woodland track West Porlock.
Toothwort Lathraea squamaria Parasitic on the roots of hazel. Only recorded from two sites on Exmoor where in some years there have been hundreds of plants but in other (recent) years none at all. Has been recorded in Somerset from other host plants including Wych Elm, Alder, Field Maple and Sycamore.
Purple Toothwort Lathraea clandestina Was parasitic on willow at West Porlock for many years but none seen recently. Last seen 1982.
Greater Broomrape Orobanche rapum-genistae Parasitic on gorse or broom.
Thyme Broomrape Orobanche alba One record on garden thyme which had come from France, 1978. Greencombe, Porlock. Did not recur.
Ivy Broomrape Orobanche hederae Parasite on ivy. Churchyards, sea cliffs, etc. Only grows on Helix hedera subsp. hibernica.
Common Broomrape Orobanche minor Parasitic on a number of different host plants. Railways, gardens, banks.
Bear's-breech Acanthus mollis Garden origin.
Pale Butterwort Pinguicula lusitanica In moorland boggy areas. Declined in some places through drainage. Likes barish muddy ground. Jones (1991) considered poaching by cattle and drainage were causing reduction on Exmoor.
Large-flowered Butterwort Pinguicula grandiflora Large number of plants in a boggy flush by Weir Water first recorded in 1970. It is well naturalised and by May 1999 had increased to c8000 plants. Roe believed both this and the Holford Combe colony to be introduced from Irish stock. In July 1999 a single plant was discovered on Dunkery looking as if recently planted. This produced about a dozen seedlings in 2002.
Peach-leaved Bellflower Campanula persicifolia Garden escape.
Canterbury-bell Campanula medium Garden escape.
Adria Bellflower Campanula portenschlagiana On walls and banks around towns and villages. Garden origin.
Trailing Bellflower Campanula poscharskyana On walls and banks around towns and villages.
Giant Bellflower Campanula latifolia Garden origin. Established in hedgebanks on Brendon Hills.
Nettle-leaved Bellflower Campanula trachelium Although native on Mendips it is thought to be a garden escape elsewhere in Somerset but it may be native in Devon near Lynton.
Harebell Campanula rotundifolia Very rare. Recorded by N.G. Hadden 1940s Oare Post but site cultivated; and by a Miss Hewitt in 1875 on Grabbist confined to one spot above Alcombe of c12 sq yds.but not recorded there since. There is reputedly some on an Exmoor farm but site not disclosed at farmer's request.(1990s). Occasionally reported from gardens as 'unplanted'.
Ivy-leaved Bellflower Wahlenbergia hederacea Moorland boggy areas, by streams and tracks, etc. Has declined on Quantock Hills.
Sheep's-bit Jasione montana On walls, dry banks, cliffs on acid soil.
Garden Lobelia Lobelia erinus Escapes from flower baskets and window boxes in towns and villages.
Field Madder Sherardia arvensis Arable fields, verges, grassland, dry banks. Common in north and east of area.
Woodruff Galium odoratum Woods and shady banks.
Fen Bedstraw Galium uliginosum Damp grassland and boggy moorland.
Common Marsh-bedstraw Galium palustre Widespread and common in moorland bogs and by streams and ponds. Subspp. palustre and elongatum both occur but there are few records.
a common marsh-bedstraw Galium palustre ssp. palustre Boggy moorland. Probably under recorded as most records are for the aggregate.
a common marsh-bedstraw Galium palustre ssp. elongatum Probably under recorded as most records are for the aggregate.
Lady's Bedstraw Galium verum Grassland, mainly near the coast where it may have decreased due to loss of habitat. Not on acid soils.
Hedge Bedstraw Galium mollugo ssp. mollugo Hedge banks, woodland borders, not on moorland.
Upright Hedge Bedstraw Galium mollugo ssp. erectum Sloping fields at W. Lynch
Heath Bedstraw Galium saxatile Common on moorland.
Cleavers Galium aparine Hedgerows, fields, gardens, waste ground.
Crosswort Cruciata laevipes Verges, roadsides, grassland.
Wild Madder Rubia peregrina Coastal cliffs, hedgerows. Very few records away from coast.
Elder Sambucus nigra Hedges, woodland, etc. Widespread except on some high moorland where there are no hedgerows. Flowers and fruit are collected by wine makers also for elderflower cordial.
Cut-leaved Elder Sambucus nigra var laciniata Recorded near Bratton, 1996.
Dwarf Elder Sambucus ebulus nly recorded in 5 locations in recent years. "Probably only spreading by suckers in Somerset - Green. Hedgebanks, verges.
Guelder-rose Viburnum opulus Hedgerows. Included in some recent plantings.
Wayfaring-tree Viburnum lantana Hedges, favours calcareous soils and may only be an introduction in our area. (Native around Blue Anchor cliffs)
Laurustinus Viburnum tinus Road verges, scrubby areas, hedges. Seems to increase in quantity when introduced on verges e.g. Big Firs, Dunster.
Snowberry Symphoricarpos albus Hedges, scrubby woodland. Naturalised in places.
Pink Snowberry Symphoricarpos microphyllus x orbicularis (S. x chenaultii) Garden escapes.
Himalayan Honeysuckle Leycesteria formosa Naturalised in woods around Minehead. Occasionally grown as food for pheasants. Mainly in coastal woodlands.
Box-leaved Honeysuckle Lonicera pileata Hedges
Wilson's Honeysuckle Lonicera nitida Hedges, waste areas,
Fly Honeysuckle Lonicera xylosteum Woodland.
Japanese Honeysuckle Lonicera japonica Hedges, waste ground, near habitation. Garden origin.
Honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum Woodlands, hedgerows, scrubby areas. Important constituant in woodland if Pied Flycatchers are to nest. Not on moorland areas such as The Chains.
Moschatel Adoxa moschatellina Woods, bracken slopes and shady hedge banks. An indicator of old woodland. Not on moorland areas such as The Chains.
Common Cornsalad Valerianella locusta Dunes, gardens, walls. Much less common than V. carinata
Keeled-fruited Cornsalad Valerianella carinata Waste ground, walls, cultivated ground, verges. Sometimes profuse on pavements in Minehead (until sprayed).
Narrow-fruited Cornsalad Valerianella dentata Walls, arable fields.
Common Valerian Valeriana officinalis Stream and river banks, water meadows, damp grassland, shady hedgerows. More common in southern section.
Pyranean Valerian Valeriana pyrenaica Verges, river banks, woodland borders in Dulverton area where it was first recorded in 1883. Sometimes abundant.
Marsh Valerian Valeriana dioica Damp meadows, mainly in Dulverton area.
Red Valerian Centranthus ruber Walls and verges, rocky banks. Usually near habitation.
Wild Teasel Dipsacus fullonum Waste ground, verges. Commonest in Porlock-Minehead area.
Small Teasel Dipsacus pilosus Recorded by Norman Haddon from 'roadside banks'. Occurred irregularly in Bossington/Allerford area 1974 to 1985. No other Exmoor sites.
Giant Scabious Cephalaria gigantea Stream bank.
Field Scabious Knautia arvensis Hedgerows, field borders, verges.
Devil's-bit Scabious Succisa pratensis Damp moorland, river banks, damp grassland, churchyards and coastal cliffs. Food plant of Marsh Fritillary. Not on low lying ground.
Carline Thistle Carlina vulgaris Mainly near the coast in rocky areas and dry grassland.
Greater Burdock Arctium lappa Some dots in Devon Atlas appear to be in Southern Exmoor but no details of records.
Lesser Burdock Arctium minus Although both ssp minus and ssp pubens occur, most recorders have plumped for the aggregate. Agricultural and waste ground.
a lesser burdock Arctium minus ssp. pubens Agricultural and waste land, verges, etc. Less common thanûssp minus but few recorders differentiate subsp.
Wood Burdock Arctium minus ssp. nemorosum Not thought to grow in area, any records should be deleted.
a lesser burdock Arctium minus ssp. minus The commonest ssp. Agricultural land, waste places, woodland, verges, etc. Few recorders specify the subsp. so most records are for the aggregate.
Slender Thistle Carduus tenuiflorus Sandy areas near the coast.
Welted Thistle Carduus crispus Although common in east Somerset it is very scarce in our area. Farmland, verges, coastal grassland, waste places.
Musk Thistle Carduus nutans Coastal areas, agricultural land. Not on moorland areas.
Woolly Thistle Cirsium eriophorum Only recorded from two sites - one near Selworthy, one near Lynton. Agricultural land. Frequent in east Somerset.
Spear Thistle Cirsium vulgare Agricultural and weed of waste places; only absent from areas on The Chains.
Meadow Thistle Cirsium dissectum Very rare on Exmoor. Recorded 1970 at Pinkery & Dulverton 1969. A few Devon records. Rough, damp grassland.
a thistle Cirsium dissectum x palustre (C. x forsteri) Recorded just outside Exmoor area at Upton. Rough grassland.
Dwarf Thistle Cirsium acaule Very rare in Exmoor area; prefers calcareous soils; a 1967 record from Nr Dulverton and one or two later reports. Not recorded by Greens in Atlas. Dry grassland.
Marsh Thistle Cirsium palustre Damp areas of grassland, verges, moorland boggy areas, probably present in every tetrad.
a thistle Cirsium arvense x palustre (C. x celakovskianum) A rare hybrid.
Creeping Thistle Cirsium arvense Dry fields, verges, waste ground and sandy areas. Good food plant for butterflies. Not recorded from parts of the Chains area.
Cotton Thistle Onopordum acanthium Waste and cultivated ground.
Milk Thistle Silybum marianum Farmland, hedgerows.
Saw-wort Serratula tinctoria Woodland, rough ground.
Greater Knapweed Centaurea scabiosa A handful of records from the 70's and 80's, nothing recent. Does not occur on acid soils.
Perennial Cornflower Centaurea montana Garden origin. Verges or dumping areas.
Cornflower Centaurea cyanus Once a cornfield weed although it was noted rare as such by Murray (1896). Now only a casual escape from cultivation on verges, etc.
Yellow Star-thistle Centaurea solstitialis Only once recorded from Blue Anchor, possibly from bird seed.
Common Knapweed Centaurea nigra There is a rayed variety formerly recognised as a separateûsubsp. nemoralis. Both sorts occur on verges, field borders, grassland.
a common knapweed Centaurea nigra ssp. nigra Now included in C. nigra L.
Chicory Cichorium intybus Verges, waste ground. Garden escapes, in some years more frequent than others.
Nipplewort Lapsana communis Hedgerows, waste ground, etc. Only scarce in moorland areas such as The Chains.
Cat's-ear Hypochaeris radicata Very common in all sorts of grassland including moors.
Smooth Cat's-ear Hypochaeris glabra Recorded from Minehead Warren in 1896 and 1956 then not again until C.Giddens found it at Dunster Beach on 6.6.84 when there were 20 or so plants. Some years there are more.
Autumnal Hawkbit Leontodon autumnalis Hedgerows, verges, grassland, etc.
Rough Hawkbit Leontodon hispidus Hedgebanks, verges, churchyards, etc. Absent from higher moorland.
Lesser Hawkbit Leontodon saxatilis Grassland, lawns, verges, churchyards.
Bristly Oxtongue Picris echioides Waste ground, verges, agricultural land. Mainly in Minehead to Porlock area, not on the moors.
Hawkweed Oxtongue Picris hieracioides Scarce in our area as it prefers calcareous soils.
Goat's-beard Tragopogon pratensis ssp. minor Waste ground, verges, gardens, mainly in Minehead area.
Salsify Tragopogon porrifolius Waste ground, verges. Garden origin.
Perennial Sow-thistle Sonchus arvensis Verges, rough ground. Widespread.
Smooth Sow-thistle Sonchus oleraceus Verges, waste ground, fields, gardens, Not on higher moorland.
Prickly Sow-thistle Sonchus asper Verges, cultivated ground, rough ground, etc. Not in moorland areas such as The Chains.
Prickly Lettuce Lactuca serriola First Somerset record Taunton 1934. Found at Watchet Docks in early 1970s by C. Giddens and at Minehead industrial estate in 1977. Has spread in Minehead area in recent years.
Greater Lettuce Lactuca virosa Waste areas. Minehead Industrial Estate. First recorded there 1993.
Blue Lettuce Lactuca tatarica Occurred on a wall in King George Rd. Minehead and in Butlins Free Car Park in Minehead in 1980. det. E.J. Clement who said it had appeared in Bristol in 1979 otherwise only known at Llandudno. It persisted until 1988 in Minehead.
Common Blue-sow-thistle Cicerbita macrophylla Garden origin. On stone banks, Rockford/Lynton area, Devon.
Wall Lettuce Mycelis muralis Walls, hedgebanks. Not on central moorland areas.
Dandelion Taraxacum officinale agg. Recorded from all but 4 tetrads in a variety of habitats. A number of microspecies have also been recorded from Exmoor but few botanists are able to differentiate.
Lesser Dandelion Taraxacum laevigatum agg. Near the coast.
a dandelion Taraxacum palustre agg. Wet moorland.
a dandelion Taraxacum brachyglossum Recorded from Minehead Golf Links 1978
a dandelion Taraxacum disseminatum Recorded from Dunster 1978
a dandelion Taraxacum oxoniense Recorded from Dunster Beach 1970/80s
a dandelion Taraxacum faeroense Recorded from a couple of sites on Exmoor.
a dandelion Taraxacum bracteatum Recorded from Tivington 1986
a dandelion Taraxacum nordstedtii Recorded from a couple of Exmoor sites.
a dandelion Taraxacum boekmanii Recorded from Exmoor
a dandelion Taraxacum dahlstedtii Recorded from Dunster pre 1987
a dandelion Taraxacum oblongatum Recorded from Minehead area 1986
a dandelion Taraxacum pannulatum Recorded from Dunster 1978
Broad-leaved Marsh Dandelion Taraxacum spectabile agg. Damp moorland.
Smooth Hawk's-beard Crepis capillaris Hedges, grassland, verges, etc. Only absent from some of theûhigh moorland.
Beaked Hawk's-beard Crepis vesicaria All records are subsp taraxacifolia. Waste ground, verges, cultivated ground, walls, etc. First Somerset Record 1883; First Devon Record 1873 (Plymouth). Now widespread. Not on moorland such as The Chains.
Shaggy Mouse-ear-hawkweed Pilosella peleteriana Two unconfirmed records, one Devon, one Somerset.
Mouse-ear-hawkweed Pilosella officinarum In short turf on moorland, banks, lawns, and walls.
Tall Mouse-ear-hawkweed Pilosella praealta Garden weed in Minehead 1979-84 and again in 1997. The latterûis entered under P. praealta subsp. praealta.
Fox and cubs Pilosella aurantiaca ssp. carpathicola Garden origin sometimes found on walls in villages and in churchyards and lawns.
Hawkweed Hieracium sp. Most hawkweed records are for the agg. as they are a very difficult group to identify.
a hawkweed Hieracium sabaudum Woodland borders and banks.
a hawkweed Hieracium umbellatum ssp. umbellatum Believed to occur.
a hawkweed Hieracium umbellatum ssp. bichlorophyllum Banks and woodland borders.
a hawkweed Hieracium trichocaulon Grassy roadsides.
a hawkweed Hieracium lepidulum Noted from Lynton in Devon Atlas.
a hawkweed Hieracium cheriense One record, East Water & noted from Lynton in Devon Atlas.
a hawkweed Hieracium acuminatum Rocks, banks and walls. A small number of reports. Devon Atlas states reported from Lynton and SE slopes of Exmoor particularly around E. Anstey.
a hawkweed Hieracium diaphanum Recorded from Lynton area in Devon Atlas. There is also a record dated 1918 from Somerset (Simonsbath area).
Spotted Hawkweed Hieracium maculatum Withycombe Churchyard, 1993.
a hawkweed Hieracium grandidens Churchyards, verges, banks. A few records from Exmoor border and from Twitchen.
a hawkweed Hieracium schmidtii Noted in Devon Atlas from nr Lynton.
a hawkweed Hieracium subplanifolium Noted from Lynton in Devon Atlas.
a hawkweed Hieracium eustomon Sea cliffs.
Common Cudweed Filago vulgaris Dry, gravelly places, quarries. The common cudweed on Exmoor is Gnaphalium uliginosum.
Small Cudweed Filago minima Recorded near Luxborough in 1935 but not seen in Exmoor area since. Was thought to be extinct in Somerset until surveys for the Atlas Flora found it in mid and south Somerset.
Pearly Everlasting Anaphalis margaritacea Garden origin.
Heath Cudweed Gnaphalium sylvaticum Extinct. Recorded by N.G. Hadden 'Hilly pastures' probably around 1940 and by D.Williams 1927. Is also extinct in Somerset and only in very small quantity in Devon.
Marsh Cudweed Gnaphalium uliginosum Rutted tracks, field gateways, damp agricultural areas. Widespread.
Elecampane Inula helenium Garden origin.
Ploughman's-spikenard Inula conyzae Mostly on calcareous soils near the coast. Dry grassland and banks.
Common Fleabane Pulicaria dysenterica Damp meadows, verges, marshland, ditches. Not on moorland. Sometimes locally abundant.
Goldenrod Solidago virgaurea Woodland borders, shady banks and sea cliffs. Prefers acid soils.
Canadian Goldenrod Solidago canadensis Garden origin. Banks and waste ground.
Early Goldenrod Solidago gigantea Recorded from nr Dulverton. Garden origin.
a michaelmas-daisy Aster sp. Waste ground, banks, etc. Garden origin. Species are very difficult to determine.
Confused Michaelmas-daisy Aster novi-belgii At one time Michaelmas daisy records were lumped under this species or agg. but it has not in fact been confirmed from Exmoor area. A. x salignus occurs around Minehead.
Common Michaelmas-daisy Aster lanceolatus x novi-belgii (A. x salignus) Due to difficulties in identification, most Michaelmas daisy records were lumped as A. novi-belgii or agg. A. x salignus has been confirmed from Minehead railway and industrial estate but it is probably under-recorded elsewhere.
Sea Aster Aster tripolium Brackish mud, saltmarshes. Has increased on Porlock Marsh since shingle ridge was breached.
Seaside Daisy Erigeron glaucus Garden origin around Minehead & Dunster Beach. Also at Combe Martin. Walls, pavements, and sandy places.
Mexican Fleabane Erigeron karvinskianus Plentiful on walls and banks around Minehead and some villages
Blue Fleabane Erigeron acer A record dated 5.7.71 from C.A.Howe, Luxborough.
Canadian Fleabane Conyza canadensis Waste ground, verges, walls.
Guernsey Fleabane Conyza sumatrensis Waste ground. First recorded in England at Yeovil 1978. Is increasing in Somerset. Our first record was at Minehead in 1994.
Argentine Fleabane Conyza bonariensis A record from Minehead rubbish tip 1960-62. (JIR) (Now included under C. sumatrensis)
New Zealand Holly Olearia macrodonta Garden origin.
Daisy Bellis perennis Usually in grassland. Probably occurs in every tetrad but is scarce in some of the moorland areas.
Feverfew Tanacetum parthenium Walls, waste ground, hedge banks, etc., usually around villages.
Tansy Tanacetum vulgare Hedge banks and waste ground. Usually near habitation where it is a garden escape, but some places it may be native.
Sea Wormwood Seriphidium maritimum Recorded from Porlock Weir in 1979 but not seen since. Occurs at Barnstaple in the west and Lilstock in the east.
Mugwort Artemisia vulgaris Waste ground, verges, hedge banks, etc. Frequent around habitation, not on central moorland.
Wormwood Artemisia absinthium Dry banks, field margins, etc. Has greatly declined in recent years. Thought to be native near the coast atûBossington.
Slender Mugwort Artemisia biennis Bird seed alien at Exford, 1989.
Sneezewort Achillea ptarmica Damp grassland, river banks, native. The double form 'flore pleno' occurs as a garden escape.
Yarrow Achillea millefolium In grassy and waste areas and agrucultural land. Throughout.
Chamomile Chamaemelum nobile In short turfy grass. Best site is opposite Cloud Farm inûDevon. Someone regularly gathers it here.
Corn Chamomile Anthemis arvensis Once a cornfield weed but now only a rare casual. Was recorded near Withycombe in 1990.
Stinking Chamomile Anthemis cotula Arable land.
Corn Marigold Chrysanthemum segetum Arable land. In some years has been abundant near Allerford.
Oxeye Daisy Leucanthemum vulgare Widespread, but not on central moorlands. Fields, hedgerows, churchyards, verges.
Shasta Daisy Leucanthemum x superbum (L. lacustre x maximum) Verges, waste ground. Garden origin.
Scented Mayweed Matricaria recutita Cultivated land, verges.
Pineapple Weed Matricaria discoidea Tracks, farm gateways, cultivated ground.
Sea Mayweed Tripleurospermum maritimum sens.str. Sandy areas near the coast. Some of the inland records may be T. inodorum
Scentless Mayweed Tripleurospermum inodorum Cultivated ground, waste ground.
Silver Ragwort Senecio cineraria An occasional garden escape but it is naturalised on sea cliffs at Glenthorne both into Devon and as far as Worthy in Somerset.
a ragwort Senecio cineraria x jacobaea (S. x albescens) Waste ground.
Broad-leaved Ragwort Senecio fluviatilis River bank at Brushford on Exmoor boundary.
Common Ragwort Senecio jacobaea Waste ground, agricultural land, verges etc.
a ragwort Senecio aquaticus x jacobaea (S. x ostenfeldii) Last recorded in the Barle Valley below Tarr Steps, 1918.
Marsh Ragwort Senecio aquaticus River banks, damp meadows, marshy land.
Hoary Ragwort Senecio erucifolius Although common throughout most of Somerset this is very rare in study area as it only occurs on calcareous soils.
Oxford Ragwort Senecio squalidus Walls, waste ground, etc. Mostly near habitation. Common in Minehead area. First Somerset record, Taunton 1820; first Devon record 1835 Bideford. Spread along railways.
Groundsel Senecio vulgaris Arable and waste land, verges, etc. Not on remote moorland.f. radicata very rare.
Heath Groundsel Senecio sylvaticus Frequent on coastal heaths and dry verges; not on the boggy areas of moorland.
Sticky Groundsel Senecio viscosus Waste ground.
Shrub Ragwort Brachyglottis 'Sunshine' (B. compacta x laxifolia) Hedges, waste areas. Garden origin.
Leopard's-bane Doronicum pardalianches Verges, waste ground, hedge banks. Garden origin. Naturalised in some areas.
Willdenow's Leopard's-bane Doronicum pardalianches x plantagineum (D. x willdenowii) Garden origin.
Harpur-Crewe's Leopard's-bane Doronicum x excelsum (D. columnae x pardalianches x plantagineum) From dumped garden material.
Plantain-leaved Leopard's-bane Doronicum plantagineum Garden origin.
Colt's-foot Tussilago farfara Waysides, waste ground, tracks, etc. Widespread.
Butterbur Petasites hybridus Stream and river banks, verges, damp meadows. Not on moorland.
Giant Butterbur Petasites japonicus River banks, garden origin.
Winter Heliotrope Petasites fragrans Hedgebanks, verges, waste ground. An increasing weed which spreads and forms ugly blots among native species. Only cut down by frost in severe winters.
pot Marigold Calendula officinalis Walls, waysides, tips, verges. Garden origin.
Ragweed Ambrosia artemisiifolia A bird-seed alien. First recorded in Exmoor area in 1999 when there were 3 reports.
Sunflower Helianthus annuus Waste ground, tips. Bird-seed or garden origin.
Shaggy Soldier Galinsoga quadriradiata Garden weed for several years at Dunster.
Trifid Bur-marigold Bidens tripartita Ditches on marsh land but decreased in quantity due to drainage and building at Minehead and inundation by sea at Porlock Marsh.
African Marigold Tagetes erecta Garden origin.
Hemp-agrimony Eupatorium cannabinum Hedges, stream banks, verges. Widespread but not on higher moorland.
Flowering Rush Butomus umbellatus A record of two on Minehead Warren in 1966 by R.B. Gibbons but not seen since.
Water-plantain Alisma plantago-aquatica In slow moving water, ditches and ponds. Formerly at Minehead and Porlock Marsh but now probably gone.
Canadian Waterweed Elodea canadensis Ponds & ditches
Nuttall's Water-weed Elodea nuttallii Ponds, ditches, etc. Gradually increasing in Somerset where it was first recorded in 1976.
Curly Waterweed Lagarosiphon major Ponds, etc
Cape Pondweed Aponogeton distachyos River.
Marsh Arrowgrass Triglochin palustre Marshy fields or damp moorland.
Sea Arrowgrass Triglochin maritimum Coastal mud, saltmarsh.
Broad-leaved Pondweed Potamogeton natans Ponds and rivers.
Bog Pondweed Potamogeton polygonifolius Moorland boggy areas and streams.
Lesser Pondweed Potamogeton pusillus Recorded from Alcombe Marshes but ditch now filled in and R. Avill. There may have been some confusion with P. berchtoldii in the past.
Small Pondweed Potamogeton berchtoldii Rhines, ditches, reservoirs , ponds and rivers. Some recordsûmay be confused with P. pusillus.
Curled Pondweed Potamogeton crispus Ponds and rhynes. Formerly on Alcombe Marsh but may have gone as major rhyne was filled in.
Fennel Pondweed Potamogeton pectinatus Farm ponds, rhynes.
Beaked Tasselweed Ruppia maritima Recorded by N.G. Hadden from Porlock Marsh but no longer there. Occurs in East Somerset VC6 where it is rare.
Horned Pondweed Zannichellia palustris Ditches on marshland, rivers.
American Skunk-cabbage Lysichiton americanus Stream banks. Garden origin.
Lords-and-ladies Arum maculatum Hedgerows, woods, gardens, etc. Not on higher moorlandûareas.
an arum Arum italicum ssp. neglectum Shingle at edge of field. Native. Rare.
Italian Lords-and-ladies Arum italicum ssp. italicum Garden origin. Well naturalised on Porlock Toll Road but seldom flowers. Woodland.
Hybrid Cuckoo Pint Arum italicum x maculatum Woodland edge. Rare.
Greater Duckweed Spirodela polyrhiza Formerly frequent on Minehead Marshes but much lost due to drainage and building. Rhines and ponds.
Fat Duckweed Lemna gibba Formerly on Minehead, Porlock and Dunster Marshes but suitable areas reduced through drainage, building, and inundation by sea.
Common Duckweed Lemna minor Ditches, ponds, slow moving waters, moorland bogs and cattle troughs. Widespread.
Ivy-leaved Duckweed Lemna trisulca Formerly profuse in a ditch on Alcombe Marsh but probably now gone through pollution from trading estate.
Least Duckweed Lemna minuta First recorded in Somerset in 1989 and on Minehead Marshes in 1994. Is increasing in Somerset.
a branched bur-reed Sparganium erectum ssp. microcarpum Recorded from R. Barle, Simonsbath in 1918.
Branched bur-reed Sparganium erectum ssp. neglectum In ponds and ditches.
Unbranched Bur-reed Sparganium emersum By ponds or reservoirs.
Least Bur-reed Sparganium natans Pinkery pond, 1993
Bulrush Typha latifolia Ponds, ditches, riversides.
Bog Asphodel Narthecium ossifragum Boggy moorland areas. Sometimes forming extensive patches.
Orange Day-lily Hemerocallis fulva Garden throw-outs.
Yellow Day-lily Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus Garden throw-outs.
Meadow Saffron Colchicum autumnale No records from Exmoor area. One clump occurred nr boundary as garden throw-outs in lane nr Old Cleeve 1987.3 flowers 1 was picked. Occurs on Quantocks.
Garden Tulip Tulipa gesneriana Garden origin.
Fritillary Fritillaria meleagris A very rare introduction, sometimes persisting in old grassland.
Pyrenean Lily Lilium pyrenaicum Hedge banks, verges, sometimes near naturalised in Somerset but classic site is in Devon where it is known as the MOLLAND LILY. It is well established in hedgebanks around Molland and first recorded in 1853.
Lily of the Valley Convallaria majalis Garden throw-outs which sometimes become established. It has the appearance of being native in woodland near Heasley Mill and may possibly be so.
Solomon's-seal Polygonatum multiflorum The wild species occurs on a small area of the R. Exe within Exmoor.
Garden Solomon's Seal Polygonatum multiflorum x odoratum (P. x hybridum) Garden escapes. Damp areas. Sometimes persists for several years.
Angular Solomon's-seal Polygonatum odoratum Recorded in error. Should be deleted.
False Lily-of-the-valley Maianthemum kamtschaticum Long established in a wood at West Porlock. Often mis-takenly taken to be May Lily (M. bifolium).
Star-of-Bethlehem Ornithogalum angustifolium Exmoor records are probably originally introduced. Verges, fields, hedgebanks.
Alpine Squill Scilla bifolia Plants originally thought to be this species were re-identified as S. bithynica.
Spring Squill Scilla verna Not on Exmoor. Similar plants are of garden origin.
Pyranean Squill Scilla lilio-hyacinthus Naturalised in Hadden's old botanic garden at West Porlock.
Portugese Squill Scilla peruviana Single plant on road verge, Porlock Weir 1993.
a squill Scilla bithynica Garden escapes usually in grassy places under trees.
Bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta In woodlands, under bracken and hedgebanks.
a bluebell Hyacinthoides hispanica x non-scripta The common garden escape in Exmoor area. Often wrongly recorded as H. hispanica which is rare.
Spanish Bluebell Hyacinthoides hispanica It is a very rare garden escape with only one or two confirmed Exmoor records.
Hyacinth Hyacinthus orientalis Garden throw-outs.
Glory-of-the-snow Chionodoxa forbesii Garden origin.
Garden Grape-hyacinth Muscari armeniacum Garden origin. Waste ground, tips, verges etc.
Chives Allium schoenoprasum Disused quarry near Simonsbath. Garden throw-out.
Rosy Garlic Allium roseum Garden origin. In a few hedgebanks and rough ground.
Three-cornered Garlic Allium triquetrum An invasive weed in Porlock and Minehead area. Garden origin.
Ramsons Allium ursinum Woodland and hedgerows and stream banks. Often dominant.
Field Garlic Allium oleraceum Although found in two places near Exmoor boundary we have no records from study area.
Keeled Garlic Allium carinatum Grassland. Porlock Marsh. V. small amount being overcome with brambles and has probably succumbed to salt water inundation.
Wild Leek Allium ampeloprasum var. ampeloprasum Extinct casual Minehead Warren 1905. Marshall.
Babington's Leek Allium ampeloprasum var. babingtonii Noted Porlock Marsh 1951 Miss C.M. Medwin. Recorded ENHS 1977. Flourished well after being fenced off from cattle grazing. Still there in 1999 but whether it will survive increased flooding by sea-water remains to be seen.
Wild Onion Allium vineale Verges, waste places, garden weed. Usually var. compactum.
a wild onion Allium vineale var compactum This is the usual variety but see under A. vineale L.
Honey Garlic Nectaroscordum siculum A few sites nr Porlock Weir and Bossington. Plentiful at one time on bank of Horner Water near estuary under trees.
Spring Starflower Tristagma uniflorum Garden origin.
Summer snowflake Leucojum aestivum ssp. pulchellum Garden origin only.
Snowdrop Galanthus nivalis Well naturalised in Avill Valley N. Hawkwell Wood and other woodlands. Also hedgebanks and stream banks. Other hedgerows garden escapes. Flore pleno also occurs.
a snowdrop Galanthus nivalis x plicatus Recorded nr Luckwell Bridge
Caucasian Snowdrop Galanthus caucasicus In woodland above West Porlock. N. Haddens old botanic garden.
Bunch-flowered Daffodil Narcissus tazetta Garden origin. Scrubby area.
Pheasant's Eye Narcissus poeticus ssp. poeticus Scrubby area. Garden origin.
Wild Daffodil Narcissus pseudonarcissus ssp. pseudonarcissus Woods, hedgerows, orchards and old meadows. Particularly good in woods at Sully.
Spanish Daffodil Narcissus pseudonarcissus ssp. major Garden daffodil. Frequently found as an escape or deliberately introduced (too often)
Garden Asparagus Asparagus officinalis ssp. officinalis An occasional garden escape, usually near the coast.
Butcher's-broom Ruscus aculeatus Garden origin but naturalised and known in a hedgerow on Croydon Hill for nearly a hundred years.
Blue-eyed-grass Sisyrinchium bermudiana Record for this on Dunkery 1959 & 1983 should be re-named S. montanum.
American Blue-eyed-grass Sisyrinchium montanum Garden origin. Noted by roadside Dunkery Hill in 1959 and 1983. Wrongly named S. bermudiana L. in Flora & Fauna.
Pale Yellow-eyed-grass Sisyrinchium striatum Garden origin. By WS Railway.
Snake's-head Iris Hermodactylus tuberosus Colony on Exmoor boundary between Stogumber and Vellow 1914, refound 1993. Man seen digging many up just afterwards.
Bearded Iris Iris germanica Garden throw-outs. Tips, verges, etc.
Yellow Iris Iris pseudacorus Ditches, ponds, river banks, marshy woodland, etc.
Stinking Iris Iris foetidissima Frequent between Porlock and Dunster Beach on calcareous soils. Uncommon elsewhere in our area. Hedgerows, sandy areas, woodlands, etc.
Spanish Iris Iris xiphium Garden origin.
Spring Crocus Crocus vernus Verges, churchyards.
Early Crocus Crocus tommasinianus Verges, churchyards. Garden origin.
Eastern gladiolus Gladiolus communis ssp. byzantinus Garden origin. Waste ground, verges, etc.
Aunt-Eliza Crocosmia paniculata Garden origin.
Pott's Monbretia Crocosmia pottsii Garden origin. Uncommon.
Montbretia Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora (C. aurea x pottsii) River banks, verges, waste ground. Well naturalised on banks of R. Barle (where it was first found in 1916 at Simonsbath).
Cabbage-palm Cordyline australis A self-sown plant flowered in a Minehed garden 1995.
Black Bryony Tamus communis Hedgerows and woodland borders in areas surrounding the moorland.
ORCHIDS
Broad-leaved Helleborine Epipactis helleborine Woodlands, hedgebanks, in Brendon Hill and eastern side of our area only.
Bird's-nest Orchid Neottia nidus-avis Woods with beech. Eastern side of Exmoor area only.
Common Twayblade Listera ovata Scattered across Exmoor area. Open woodlands, grassland.
Lesser Twayblade Listera cordata xmoor is the only site for this in either Devon or Somerset. Usually on N. facing slopes under heather or whortleberry, amongst Sphagnum. First noted in Somerset on Dunkery in 1849. Recorded on Brendon Common, Devon, in 1938 "scattered over half a mile.
Autumn Lady's-tresses Spiranthes spiralis Dry grassland and lawns between Porlock and the Brendon Hills. May be abundant if lawns left uncut - over 200 on a lawn in Alcombe in 1989.
Greater Butterfly-orchid Platanthera chlorantha Woodlands mainly in Barle Valley but small numbers only.
Lesser Butterfly-orchid Platanthera bifolia One record from a farm nr Challacombe.
Pyramidal Orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis A couple of records only. Very rare in our area although frequent between Blue Anchor and Watchet.
Fragrant Orchid Gymnadenia conopsea ecorded by N.G. Hadden as "Uncommon on Exmoor and by W. Dicker at Winsford in 1913 but there are no recent records although the plant occurs at Watchet.
Common Spotted-orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii Not common on Exmoor although there are a few scattered records from grassland, verges and woods where the soil is basic.
a marsh-orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii x praetermissa (D. x grandis) This may occur but seems unlikely due to scarcity of D. fuchsii in the area. Was included in Flora & Fauna (1996) but no details.
Heath Spotted-orchid Dactylorhiza maculata ssp. ericetorum Common on damp moorland, sometimes in thousands.
a marsh-orchid Dactylorhiza maculata x praetermissa (D. x hallii) Boggy moorland areas where both parents are found.
Early Marsh-orchid Dactylorhiza incarnata This species may occur in the Devon section of Exmoor but we have no confirmed records due to possible confusion with D. praeter-missa which is fairly common.
Southern Marsh-orchid Dactylorhiza praetermissa Verges, damp meadows, boggy moorland combes and quarries. In good numbers in one or two areas where it is a wonderful sight.
Early-purple Orchid Orchis mascula Hedgebanks, woodland, verges, particularly in Minehead - Porlock area.
Green-winged Orchid Orchis morio Old grassland. Only a couple of records and Porlock Marsh site lost due to inundation by sea.
Bee Orchid Ophrys apifera No recent records. Recorded on Porlock Marsh by N.G. Hadden c1920 and at Fair Cross 1973. Occurs off of Exmoor near Watchet.
RUSHES AND SEDGES
Heath Rush Juncus squarrosus On moorland.
Slender Rush Juncus tenuis Woodland tracks, verges.
Round-fruited Rush Juncus compressus One record from Devon Exmoor only.
Saltmarsh Rush Juncus gerardii Near the coast
Leafy Rush Juncus foliosus Muddy tracks, etc. Early records not separated from J. bufonius and it was under recorded until the work on the Somerset Atlas Flora in the 1990s.
Toad Rush Juncus bufonius sens.str. Lumped together with J. foliosus until 1990s but bufonius is much the commoner. Widespread on boggy moorland, tracks, verges, etc.
Blunt-flowered Rush Juncus subnodulosus Boggy moorland in Devon Exmoor.
Jointed Rush Juncus articulatus Boggy moorland, pond margins.
a rush Juncus acutiflorus x articulatus (J. x surrejanus) Stream banks, boggy areas, reservoirs.
Sharp-flowered Rush Juncus acutiflorus On the higher moorland boggy areas.
Bulbous Rush Juncus bulbosus Muddy tracks, boggy moorland.
Hard Rush Juncus inflexus Damp fields and marshes avoiding acid soils so absent fromûmuch of Exmoor.
a rush Juncus effusus x inflexus (J. x diffusus) Rare hybrid.
Soft Rush Juncus effusus Probably present in every tetrad. Boggy moorland, fields, marshes, verges, woodland tracks. Often recolonises reclaimed moorland fields. On Exmoor the inflorescence is often compact (var. subglomeratus DC) resembling Juncus conglomeratus.
Compact Rush Juncus conglomeratus Common on the higher moorland.
Southern Wood-rush Luzula forsteri Hedgebanks on the Brendon Hills and one site in Devon.
Hairy Wood-rush Luzula pilosa Woods and shady banks.
Great Wood-rush Luzula sylvatica Woods, hedgebanks and combes. Sometimes abundant and dominant.
Snow-white Wood-rush Luzula nivea Garden origin.
White Wood-rush Luzula luzuloides A specimen of L. nivea self sown from a garden at W. Porlock was originally named as this species.
Field Wood-rush Luzula campestris Grassland, banks, lawns, churchyards. Widespread.
Heath Wood-rush Luzula multiflora ssp. multiflora Has been recorded but more work needed on distribution. Moorland areas.
a heath wood-rush Luzula multiflora ssp. congesta Has been recorded but more work needed on distribution. Moorland areas.
Common Cottongrass Eriophorum angustifolium On boggy moorland, sometimes abundant.
Broad-leaved Cottongrass Eriophorum latifolium An unconfirmed report from boggy field on a Devon farm.
Hare's-tail Cottongrass Eriophorum vaginatum On boggy moorland, sometimes abundant but slightly less amount than E. angustifolium
Deergrass Trichophorum cespitosum Damp moorland, sometimes covering large areas in western Exmoor.
Common Spike-rush Eleocharis palustris Wet meadows, boggy moorland and marshes, ponds.
Slender Spike-rush Eleocharis uniglumis Rare.
Many-stalked Spike-rush Eleocharis multicaulis Boggy moorland.
Few-flowered Spike-rush Eleocharis quinqueflora Only recorded from boggy areas in a couple of Exmoor combes.
Sea Club-rush Bolboschoenus maritimus Saltmarsh and ditches at Minehead Marsh and Porlock.
Wood Club-rush Scirpus sylvaticus Only found in one marshy field at Brushford, just over Exmoor Boundary.
Common Club-rush Schoenoplectus lacustris Records now seem rather doubtful!
Grey Club-rush Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani In reduced quantity in ditches on Minehead and Porlock marshes.
Bristle Club-rush Isolepis setacea Damp areas of moorland.
Slender Club-rush Isolepis cernua Damp areas by tracks.
Floating Club-rush Eleogiton fluitans On ponds or by streams etc. Refound on Exmoor since Roe's Flora. Possibly carried by water fowl.
Pale Galingale Cyperus eragrostis Garden weed in several places around Minehead. Origin unknown.
White Beak-sedge Rhynchospora alba A few dots in the Devon Atlas appear to be on Exmoor but weûhave no details. The plant is very rare and has declined in Somerset.
Greater Tussock-sedge Carex paniculata Scattered on wet moorland.
False Fox-sedge Carex otrubae Mainly on low lying marshes.
Spiked Sedge Carex spicata In grassy places.
Prickly Sedge Carex muricata ssp. lamprocarpa Dry grassy banks.
Grey Sedge Carex divulsa ssp. divulsa Frequent, particularly in the northern part of our area. Verges etc.
Leers' Sedge Carex divulsa ssp. leersii Scarce.
Sand Sedge Carex arenaria Sandy areas Minehead - Dunster Beach.
Brown Sedge Carex disticha Ponds on Brendon Hills.
Remote Sedge Carex remota In woodlands which surround the moor.
Oval Sedge Carex ovalis On acid moorland
Star Sedge Carex echinata On boggy moorland.
Hairy Sedge Carex hirta In Exmoor combes, river valleys and some dry situations.
Lesser Pond-sedge Carex acutiformis Three records but they have not been confirmed.
Bottle Sedge Carex rostrata Boggy areas, damp fields and ditches on the moors.
Bladder-sedge Carex vesicaria  
Pendulus Sedge Carex pendula Woods, verges, stream banks. Also a garden escape or throw-out. It can be rather invasive.
Wood-sedge Carex sylvatica Woodlands only.
Glaucous Sedge Carex flacca Grassy areas, banks. Not on acid soils.
Carnation Sedge Carex panicea Boggy moorland areas.
Smooth-stalked Sedge Carex laevigata Boggy moorland. Possibly under recorded.
a sedge Carex binervis x laevigata (C. x deserta) Very rare hybrid.
Green-ribbed Sedge Carex binervis Boggy moorland.
Long-bracted Sedge Carex extensa Included in one tetrad in the Devon Atlas but no details available.
Tawny Sedge Carex hostiana Boggy moorland. Possibly under recorded.
a sedge Carex hostiana x viridula (C. x fulva) Recorded at Upton, Exmoor borders.
Common Yellow Sedge Carex viridula ssp. oedocarpa Boggy moorland areas.
Small-fruited Yellow Sedge Carex viridula ssp. viridula Damp areas. A few records from Devon only.
Pale Sedge Carex pallescens Damp grassland, river valleys.
Spring Sedge Carex caryophyllea Frequent on grassy moorland banks and slopes.
Pill Sedge Carex pilulifera Moor and heath.
Common Sedge Carex nigra Boggy moorland areas.
Flea Sedge Carex pulicaris Boggy moorland areas.
Dwarf Bamboo Pleioblastus pygmaeus Marshy area near habitation.
GRASSES
Broad-leaved Bamboo Sasa palmata Garden origin.
Arrow Bamboo Pseudosasa japonica Garden origin.
Mat-grass Nardus stricta Acid moorland areas.
Wood Millet Milium effusum Shady woodland
Meadow Fescue Festuca pratensis Fairly frequent in verges, grassland; probably under recorded in Devon section.
Tall Fescue Festuca arundinacea Verges, etc. Not on moors.
Giant Fescue Festuca gigantea Woods and hedgerows.
Various-leaved Fescue Festuca heterophylla Rare.
Red Fescue Festuca rubra sens.str. A variable grass with several subspecies difficult to identify. A variety of habitats, usually dry areas.
a red fescue Festuca rubra ssp. juncea Coastal cliffs. The blueish leaves make this grass noticeable.
a red fescue Festuca rubra ssp. litoralis Coastal. Scarce.
Sheep's Fescue Festuca ovina ssp. ovina Common on dry heaths.
Fine-leaved Sheep's-fescue Festuca filiformis Needs further study.
Hybrid Fescue Festuca pratensis x Lolium perenne (x Festulolium loliaceum) Verges, etc.
a grass Festuca rubra x Vulpia fasciculata (x Festulpia hubbardii) Very rare.
Perennial Rye-grass Lolium perenne Verges, fields, rough ground, etc. Recorded from most tetrads.
Hybrid Rye-grass Lolium multiflorum x perenne (L. x boucheanum) Only one report but could be present in re-seeded fields.
Italian Rye-grass Lolium multiflorum Verges etc.
Dune Fescue Vulpia fasciculata Sand dunes. Coastal.
Squirrel-tail Fescue Vulpia bromoides Walls, grassy banks. Dry places.
Rat's-tail Fescue Vulpia myuros Verges, walls, etc.
Purple Fescue Vulpia ciliata ssp. ambigua Sand dunes on coast Minehead-Dunster 1970's & 80's but no more recent records.
Crested Dog's-tail Cynosurus cristatus Verges, grassland, throughout area.
Common Saltmarsh-grass Puccinellia maritima Saltmarshes.
Reflexed Saltmarsh-grass Puccinellia distans Saltmarshes.
Quaking-grass Briza media Scarce in our area as it avoids acid land.
Greater Quaking Grass Briza maxima Garden origin. Verges, pavement cracks, etc. nr habitation.
Annual Meadow-grass Poa annua Very common in many habitats throughout area. Has been found on top of Dunkery Beacon at 519 m. our highest point.
Rough Meadow-grass Poa trivialis Verges, waste and cultivated land, walls, etc. etc.
Spreading Meadow-grass Poa humilis Walls, coastal dunes, rough ground etc. Probably under recorded.
Smooth Meadow-grass Poa pratensis Verges, grassland, and various other habitats.
Narrow-leaved Meadow-grass Poa angustifolia Verges, walls, etc. probably under recorded.
Flattened Meadow-grass Poa compressa Walls, dry grassland.
Wood Meadow-grass Poa nemoralis Woods and shady hedge banks. Not on moorland.
Bulbous Meadow-grass Poa bulbosa Coastal. Minehead Warren to Dunster Beach. The only sites in VC5.(only one other in Somerset at Berrow).
Cock's-foot Dactylis glomerata Various habitats. Throughout.
Fern-grass Catapodium rigidum Fairly common on walls and banks about habitations but absent elsewhere.
Sea Fern-grass Catapodium marinum Coastal, Porlock Weir to Dunster Beach.
Hard Grass Parapholis strigosa Saltmarsh and coastal muddy areas.
Curved Hard Grass Parapholis incurva Coastal
Reed Sweet-grass Glyceria maxima By rivers.
Floating Sweet-grass Glyceria fluitans Ponds, riversides, wet meadows.
Small Sweet-grass Glyceria declinata By ponds or streams. The most frequent Sweet-grass in boggy mooorland areas.
Plicate Sweet-grass Glyceria notata Damp areas by streams or ponds.
Wood Melick Melica uniflora Woods and shady hedge banks.
Downy Oat-grass Helictotrichon pubescens Grassland, verges, walls.
False Oat-grass Arrhenatherum elatius In a variety of habitats throughout area.
Wild Oat Avena fatua Arable land and verges.
Oat Avena sativa Verges etc. Relic and escape from cultivation.
Yellow Oat-grass Trisetum flavescens Verges, grassland.
Crested Hair-grass Koeleria macrantha sens. lat. One site near Old Cleeve (Exmoor border)
Tufted Hair-grass Deschampsia caespitosa Common on the moors but not by the coast.
Wavy Hair-grass Deschampsia flexuosa Dry banks and moorland.
Yorkshire-fog Holcus lanatus Hedges, fields, waste ground, etc.
Creeping Soft-grass Holcus mollis Woods and shady banks.
Silver Hair-grass Aira caryophyllea Walls, coastal cliffs, rocky areas, heaths. Not in south-west area of Exmoor.
Early Hair-grass Aira praecox Dry slopes, walls, banks etc.
Sweet Vernal Grass Anthoxanthum odoratum Throughout area in various habitats, incl. verges, gardens, and moorland.
Reed Canary-grass Phalaris arundinacea By the larger rivers and streams, sometimes in quantity.
Bulbous Canary-grass Phalaris aquatica Beneath some trees on Porlock Marsh in 1995.
Canary-grass Phalaris canariensis Waste ground, dumps, verges. Probably from bird seed.
Common Bent Agrostis capillaris Common throughout.
Black Bent Agrostis gigantea Woods, fields and rough ground.
Creeping Bent Agrostis stolonifera Throughout but scarce in some moorland areas.
Bristle Bent Agrostis curtisii Dry moorland areas in particular coastal heath. Sometimes dominant and forming golden patches when gone over.
Velvet Bent Agrostis canina sens.str. Frequent on acid moorland. There have been various changes in nomenclature in recent years and A. canina L. is now generally regarded as Velvet Bent. Some early records may have been confused with A. vinealis.
Brown Bent Agrostis vinealis Probably under recorded due to confusion with A. canina. Dry moorland habitats.
Wood Small-reed Calamagrostis epigejos Damp woods or hedge banks.
Marram Ammophila arenaria Sand dunes, Minehead Warren. First reported there 1930.
Hare's-tail Lagurus ovatus A couple of places on the coast, increasing in quantity.
Water Bent Polypogon viridis First recorded in Somerset at Minehead 1989 in area where tomato boxes were regularly stacked and may have been transported from Channel Isles on boxes. Since then it has spread all around the town at pavement edges, etc.
Meadow Foxtail Alopecurus pratensis Common except on high moorland areas.
a foxtail Alopecurus geniculatus x pratensis (A. x brachystylus) Only one record from near Moles Chamber.
Marsh Foxtail Alopecurus geniculatus Damp fields, marshes, pond edges, etc.
a foxtail Alopecurus bulbosus x geniculatus (A. x plettkei) Minehead and Porlock Marshes.
Bulbous Foxtail Alopecurus bulbosus Coastal marsh.
Orange Foxtail Alopecurus aequalis Muddy banks of reservoirs.
Black-grass Alopecurus myosuroides Verges, cultivated ground. Formerly very scarce but seems to be increasing.
Timothy Phleum pratense sens.str. Common except in northern Chains area. Verges, grassland.
Smaller Cat's-tail Phleum bertolonii Old grassland, verges. Not on the moors.
Sand Cat's-tail Phleum arenarium Sandy places near the coast.
Meadow Brome Bromus commutatus Arable fields.
Smooth Brome Bromus racemosus Grassy places.
Soft-brome Bromus hordeaceus ssp. hordeaceus Grassy places, verges. Not on remote moorland.
Slender Soft-brome Bromus lepidus Grassy area, Minehead.
Rye Brome Bromus secalinus Arable fields. An increasing species.
Drooping Brome Bromus tectorum Very rare casual.
Hairy Brome Bromopsis ramosa Woods and shady hedgebanks.
Great Brome Anisantha diandra Verges and sandy areas.
Ripgut Brome Anisantha rigida Sandy areas near Minehead and Dunster beach
Barren Brome Anisantha sterilis Waste areas, hedgebanks, verges, etc. not on central moorland.
Rescue Brome Ceratochloa cathartica Waste ground, verges.
Patagonian Brome Ceratochloa brevis Widespread in detritus, etc.
False-brome Brachypodium sylvaticum Verges, woodlands, hedgebanks. Not on higher moorland.
Bearded Couch Elymus caninus Woods, shady hedgerows.
Common Couch Elytrigia repens Hedgerows, cultivated land, waste ground. It is subsp. repens.
Common x Sea Couch Elytrigia atherica x repens (E. x oliveri) Rare hybrid.
Sea Couch Elytrigia atherica Saltmarshes and coastal mud.
a couch Elytrigia atherica x juncea (E. x obtusiuscula) Rare hybrid.
Sand Couch Elytrigia juncea Coastal sand.
Lyme-grass Leymus arenarius Sandy coastal area at Minehead.
Two-rowed Barley Hordeum distichon sens.lat. Verges, field borders. Escapes or relics of cultivation. The commonest cultivated barley.
Wall Barley Hordeum murinum ssp. murinum Waysides, walls, verges, cultivated land. Not on moors.
Meadow Barley Hordeum secalinum Verges, low lying grassland. Not on the moors.
Bread Wheat Triticum aestivum Escapes from cultivation or bird-seed. Verges, etc.
Heath-grass Danthonia decumbens On acid moorland.
Pampas Grass Cortaderia selloana Garden throw-outs.
Purple Moor-grass Molinia caerulea ssp. caerulea ommon on the grass moors where it is often dominant. Locally known as "Flying bent in winter when dead leaves fill the air in a wind. Traditional management is by swaling.
Common Reed Phragmites australis Marshes, pools etc. The former reed bed on Porlock marsh which was an important bird habitat and was cut for thatching has been lost by sea inundation 1999. This leaves the main reed bed in the area behind Dunster Beach.
Bermuda-grass Cynodon dactylon Found nr Minehead Golf Club car park 1974. Later tarmaced over but refound at edge of tarmac 1989 when it became plentiful.
Townsend's Cord-grass Spartina alterniflora x maritima (S. x townsendii) Saltmarsh mud at Porlock Weir where it has increased.
Witch-grass Panicum capillare Weed at Luckbarrow 1991 J.Robbins.
Common Millet Panicum miliaceum Bird-seed alien. Waste ground, verges, cultivated land.
Cockspur Echinochloa crusgalli Bird-seed alien, usually at pavement edges or waste ground. Rather more frequent than formerly.
Yellow Bristle-grass Setaria pumila Bird-seed alien. Gardens, tips, waste land, etc.
Rough Bristle-grass Setaria verticillata Bird-seed alien. Waste and cultivated land.
Green Bristle-grass Setaria viridis Bird-seed alien. Waste ground, pavement edges and cultivated land.
Foxtail Bristle-grass Setaria italica Casual, Treborough rubbish dump.
Hairy Finger-grass Digitaria sanguinalis Bird-seed alien, Minehead garden, 2001.
Maize Zea mays Grown as a crop in Porlock to Dunster area and escapes always possible. Has not actually been recorded yet.

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