Lead Tolerant Plants

[shirl]

Spring Sandwort and Alpine Pennycress (seed heads) growing on lead spoils in Derbyshire, both known locally as leadwort.



Shirl

[Tiggrx]

Nice pair of plants there Shirl

Been a number of years since I've been to Derbyshire and seen this pair. Must try and fit in a visit next year

[shirl]

Originally Posted by Tiggrx

Nice pair of plants there Shirl

Been a number of years since I've been to Derbyshire and seen this pair. Must try and fit in a visit next year

These are super specimens at one of the Natural England SACs, Derbys Wildlife Trust has a similar area next to this one, but it isn't quite as dramatic. There are mountain pansys, kidney vetch and some gorgeous ground cover lichens too, inhospitable site but so rich! Put Gang Mine Derbys in you diary from April / May time, hope you enjoy it.

Shirl

[ChrisJB]

Magpie Mine just north of Lathkill Dale has a similar assemblage of plants and you have the added bonus of Jacob's Ladder at Lathkill Dale too. A good area is the White Peak.

Regards, Chris

[shirl]

Originally Posted by ChrisJB

Magpie Mine just north of Lathkill Dale has a similar assemblage of plants and you have the added bonus of Jacob's Ladder at Lathkill Dale too. A good area is the White Peak.

Regards, Chris

I think I might just take the dogs for a stroll there, haven't been to Magpie mine for a few years, I must say though that at Gang Mine there is alot more Spring sandwort this year than last, gorgeous this morning. Even the kidney vetch and mountain pansies are doing very well. Natural England and DWT have a managed grazing programme so won't be long before the sheep are in there again. More pics needed asap I think!

Shirl

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by ChrisJB

Magpie Mine just north of Lathkill Dale has a similar assemblage of plants and you have the added bonus of Jacob's Ladder at Lathkill Dale too. A good area is the White Peak.
Regards, Chris

The alternative way to look at it is that the Magpie Mine is just south of Deep Dale which is also a good walk!

[Paul mabbott]

I hope to get to the Mouldridge Mine by Long Dale which is also very good for lead-plants (I could also say that it's probably the most deserted of all the dales - but I don't want to start a rush ) and have been checking up on what plants to expect and am in some confusion with a book that only lists English names ()

Two of the names it gives are leadwort and alpine peny cress. The latter is Thlaspi caerulescens, okay, but other sources call this 'leadwort'. However, I would expect Minuartia verna (spring sandwort) to be on the list ... but it isn't and some sources gives this as 'leadwort'. I gave up when I got to Wikipedia and it started, 'several species of the families .... '

So, anyone want to make a comment on which species 'leadwort' is or is it a catch-all term for anything tolerating lead-spill?

PS: sorry, somehow I'd missed the first post. Shirl clearly states that both species are called 'leadwort' locally.

[IanS]

Interesting stuff!
Do these places have other specialities later on too? I will mention your places to a mate of mine who goes to Derbyshire a lot. We will be passing through tomorrow as it happens, on our way to Warrington. Wont have time to look around for plants though

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

The alternative way to look at it is that the Magpie Mine is just south of Deep Dale which is also a good walk!

Whichever way you come at it, you'll deserve a pause at the Cock & Pullet in Sheldon.

It is a tremendous area for walking and plants - not just lead-tolerant ones.

[ChrisJB]

Hi Paul, leadwort to me has always been spring sandwort.

Regards, Chris