allotment sites worth checking

[lizard orchid]

Dear All,
If any of you can obtain permission it is worth checking your local allotment sites to record plants.
Here in Northamptonshire they are proving to be very good for especially our scarce and rarer species.
It is all thanks to the allotment holders continually each year disturbing the ground and growing their crops. Without them many of these species would be lost.
Here in Northamptonshire this week one allotment site has the best population in the county for dense flowered fumitory while there was also green field speedwell and thornapple recorded.
In previous years other allotment sites surveyed had lesser snapdragon, lesser tree mallow and common ramping fumitory (Fumaria muralis sub boraei).
Each allotment site I have had permission to survey has been slightly different in its flora composition.
All of these species mentioned are rare for Northamptonshire at the current time.
Happy hunting if any of you do visit any allotment sites.

Brian Laney, Northamptonshire.

[Dorts]

A most interesting point Brian. Some of our rarer annuals are fast losing suitable habitat, now that areas of commercially cultivated crops are so sterile. Even the smallest 'veg-patch' can harbour treasures.
Certainly worth anyone interested in our flora having a nosey round the local allotments, with permission of course. Finds almost guaranteed.
Always a great place for Oraches and Goosefoots, among others.
Cheers.
Dorts.

[lizard orchid]

Agree on the goosefoot finds. Had many seeded goosefoot in a few of the Northamptonshire allotments.
I remember seeing false cleavers in one allotment in Essex and martins ramping fumitory in another allotment on the Isle of Wight. Heard martins ramping fumitory has also been found in another allotment this time in Hampshire.

Brian Laney, Northamptonshire.