Red Helleborine

[RobinP]

Is this the rarest plant in Britain? I've read up on it in Wiki and it only grows in three sites, one not too far away from me in Bucks so I might go a' hunting soon. There are no pics in the gallery so hopefully I can get a few.

[aeshna5]

I think Lady's Slipper would be rarer- only 1 extant native site, though there have been re-introductions; at least some of which have been pilfered!

[mrs fish]

Stinking Goosefoot is very rare as well.

[ceterach]

Hi Robin

I suspect that even if you found a site and if there was flowering this year you are too late.

Better to go looking for Ghost Orchid (Epipogium aphyllum) it hasn't been seen for quite a few years.

All the best

[lizard orchid]

Originally Posted by RobinP

Is this the rarest plant in Britain? I've read up on it in Wiki and it only grows in three sites, one not too far away from me in Bucks so I might go a' hunting soon. There are no pics in the gallery so hopefully I can get a few.

Dear RobinP ,
I think the Snowdon Hawkweed would now be Britains rarest plant as it was thought extinct until a single plant was re discovered in 2002. Good news it has been propagated and plants can be seen in the botanic gardens in South Wales.
I have been looking and hoping to refind Ghost Orchid in the UK. This year will be the 18th year that I have been looking for the species. I am not giving up on it even if it takes a lifetime.Some friends have been checking historical records and noticed we are not getting the cold winters that it could need to trigger flowering in the following season as they noticed with past ocurrances.
If I had to make a top ten of Britains rarest plants , yes the Red Helleborine would be in it but also Fen Ragwort , single plant in ditch in Cambs , Corn Cleavers , saw the only current site few years back in Herts , Strapwort in Devon , single site , Fringed Gentain of which last year did three days on habitat management for the species , Ladys Slipper of course , and that is just a few off the top of my head that I could think of.
If you were planning to go for the Red Helleborine , yes best to go next year now I would say around 20th June.

Brian Laney Northants Botanist

[IanS]

Interesting, I have never heard of the Snowdonia Hawkweed before. Just googled and found this from 2002:
BBC NEWS | Wales | Botanists rediscover mountain plant

As for the red helleborine, I think you may need permission to get access to the Bucks site. The Hampshire WT do low key visits to there site apparently.