Is this narrow-leaved BFT?

[Mele]

Morning

I was at Fowlmead CP in East Kent last week and wondered if this is narrow-leaved birdsfoot trefoil.



I've not seen the plant before and this looked different to me. I can't go back to check now but plan to in a few weeks time though. I tried to get more decent photos of the flower head and calyx tube but my 5 year old niece was tugging at my arm (we were off-road cycling so I only got to botanise when she needed a break!).
Mel

[Dorts]

Mel, it looks ok for Narrow-leaved BFT - Lotus tenuis (syn. glaber).
It certainly grows in that part of Kent which is one of the few ares it is common. It particularly likes dry-grassy places on heavier soils near the sea.
It is generally taller, (up to a 90cm) than L. corniculatus, more wirey and can form very large 'clumps'.
I notice a little red colour in the buds of a couple of flowers which I don't think is a problem.
For a long time it has been classed as a ssp. of L. corniculatus.
Good find.
Dorts.

[Mele]

Hi Dorts and thanks for that. I was pretty convinced, but without my book, I wasn't certain and I'd not seen the plant before. I knew it was different though. It was certainly tall and wiry as you describe. And on a dry grassy place near the sea.
Fowlmead is an excellent site for botany, being essentially old coal workings, now off road country park. With the continued disturbance, one wonders what else might turn up in future. Am planning to go back later in August to have a better look (at least once without niece and bikes). Will get more (better) pictures then and confirm. I am waiting on the country park sending me a plant list....no reply as yet. I'd like to know if they seeded the site and what with. Might try the VC recorder. Mel

[Mele]

Just to update. I've reported this sighting to the VC recorder for East Kent and he agrees with your id Dorts. Mel

[Dorts]

Originally Posted by Mele

Just to update. I've reported this sighting to the VC recorder for East Kent and he agrees with your id Dorts. Mel

Thanks for that Mel. Always good when you get a new plant. I don't know that particular area, but any disturbed ground is a must for some botanising in my book!
Dorts.

[Mele]

Agreed about disturbed ground. Means no site is off limits for botanists - it's the perfect hobby! You never know what will turn up....
Beaten myself up for ignoring Fowlmead for last few years. The VC recorder says that grass poly might be there....(that is one for next year) I got a good site record for basil thyme though :-) Another lovely little plant.
For now (am back in Bedfordshire) I need to do my Kentish botany vicariously from a swivel chair, via botany bloggers in that area - and seethe with envy.
Very best to you
Mel

[Dorts]

Originally Posted by Mele

Agreed about disturbed ground. Means no site is off limits for botanists - it's the perfect hobby! You never know what will turn up....
Beaten myself up for ignoring Fowlmead for last few years. The VC recorder says that grass poly might be there....(that is one for next year) I got a good site record for basil thyme though :-) Another lovely little plant.
For now (am back in Bedfordshire) I need to do my Kentish botany vicariously from a swivel chair, via botany bloggers in that area - and seethe with envy.
Very best to you
Mel

Kent has to be one of the best counties for botanising, second only to Hants in my very biased opinion.
I agree, Basil Thyme is a great little plant, often overlooked and by no means common.
All the best.
Dorts.

[Mele]

Yup - long-term plan is to retire to Kent (for the plants and the coast). I know no-where better.
Am still in amazement how difficult it is proving for me to acquire a plant list for Fowlmead. No-one seems to have one! Local botanists here would be on it like a rash. Maybe they are too spoiled in Kent with all their other fab sites?
Mel

[Dorts]

Mel, I am of course familiar with the Golf Couse end of Sandwich Bay, where so many great plants are to be found, but I have not visited the Deal end since I was a lad.
I spent most of my childhood holidays in Kent; Herne Bay, Faversham, Pett Levels (Sussex?) and have botanised much of it since. But it would take more than a lifetime to do the county justice, let alone the South coast!
Wonderfull memories.
Dorts.

[Mele]

Deal - yes. Favourite place! Intend to stick to East Kent - dunes, shingle, chalk, cliffs, country parks......yes just enough to keep me quite happy and content. Whole county? Yikes!
Mel