Chapter I: The Flowering Plants, Ferns, &c

BY J. E. BAGNALL, A.L.S.

The flowering plants, ferns, and fern allies of the Birmingham District will be described, as stated in the Introductory Remarks, under the heads of the three counties of Warwick, Worcester, and Stafford. The total flora of the district comprises upwards of 1,116 flowering plants and ferns; of these 844 are native, 143 are varieties, 14 aliens, 42 colonists, and 73 are denizens. The nomenclature adopted is that of the 7th edition of the “London Catalogue of British Plants.”

WARWICK.

The Warwickshire portion of the district comprises the greater part of North Warwickshire, with a portion of South Warwickshire. It is watered by the Tame, with its affluents the Rea, Cole, Blythe, Bourne, and Anker; and the Avon with its affluents the Leam, Sow, Alne, and Arrow. The greatest elevations occur at Hartshill, Dosthill, Corley, Alne Hills, and Arrow, none of which exceed 550 feet above the sea. As a whole it is well wooded, but the woods are usually small and not productive of the rarer woodland species. Heath lands are mostly reclaimed, and the more extensive marshes and bogs drained, hence ericetal and bog plants are rare. It has been divided into the following sub-districts, bounded by the water partings of the river basins:--I. TAME, II. BLYTHE, III. ANKER, IV. AVON, V. SOW, VI. ALNE, VII. ARROW.

In presenting an account of the rarer plants as full a list from each sub-district (as space permits) will be given, but many of the plants cited for one or other sub-district may also be found in one or more of the others.

The plants marked by an asterisk* before the name are probably extinct.

I. TAME.--This sub-district embraces all those portions of the Tame valley not drained by the Blythe or Anker, and includes Sutton, Middleton, Water Orton, Kingsbury, Shustoke, and Arley. The country is generally flat, but is slightly elevated on both right and left banks, near Arley, Middleton, Dosthill, and Shustoke. In this district about 750 flowering plants and ferns are recorded; among the more rare are--

Ranunculus fluitans, R. Lenormandi, R. Lingua; Nymphæa alba;
Viola palustris; Moenchia erecta; Ornithopus perpusillus;
Comarum palustre; Rubus Schlechtendalii, R. rosaceus; Rosa
sphærica; Callitriche obtusangula; Parnassia palustris; Galium
uliginosum; Valeriana dioica; Chrysosplenium alternifolium;
Dipsacus pilosus; Carlina vulgaris; Carduus nutans; Leontodon
hirtus; Jasione montana; Vaccinium Vitis-Idæa, V. Oxycoccos;
Menyanthes trifoliata; Mentha rotundifolia; Calamintha Acinos;
Scutellaria minor; Pinguicula vulgaris; Polygonum maculatum;
Empetrum nigrum; Salix fusca; Juncus diffusus; Scirpus
pauciflorus; Eriophorum vaginatum; Carex dioica, C. curta, C.
Ehrhartiana, C. lævigata, C. fulva; Agrostis nigra; Botrychium
Lunaria; Nephrodium Thelypteris; Chara opaca.

II. BLYTHE.--The Blythe, which rises on the borders of East Worcestershire near Earlswood, takes its course through Solihull, Knowle, Hampton-in-Arden, Packington, and Coleshill, to its confluence with the Tame, near Whitacre; with this is included the Cole, running through Marston Green and Coleshill. This sub-district is mostly flat, the soils are usually sand, marl, and clay. Heath lands occur near Earlswood and Coleshill; bogs and marshes near Coleshill and Barston. The recorded flora is about 820 flowering plants and ferns, the following being the more noteworthy:--

Thalictrum flavum; Aquilegia vulgaris; Drosera rotundifolia;
Cerastium arvense; Sagina ciliata; *Elatine hexandra;
Hypericum elodes; Geranium pyrenaicum; Genista tinctoria;
Vicia tetrasperma; Rubus suberectus, R. adornatus; Rosa
micrantha, R. surculosa, R. obtusifolia, R. Reuteri; Pyrus
torminalis; Cotyledon Umbilicus; Œnanthe crocata; Chærophyllum
Anthriscus; Sambucus Ebulus; Carduus pratensis; Anthemis
arvensis; Bidens cernua, B. tripartita; Solidago virga-aurea;
Lactuca muralis; Hieracium umbellatum; *Pyrola media; Linaria
minor; Limosella aquatica; Veronica Buxbaumii; *Orobanche
major; Mentha piperita; Stachys ambigua; Myosotis repens, M.
sylvatica, M. collina, M. versicolor; Lysimachia vulgaris;
Littorella lacustris; Populus canescens; Lemna gibba;
Potomogeton rufescens; Orchis Morio; *Gymnadenia conopsea;
Narthecium ossifragum; Rhynchospora alba; Scirpus multicaulis,
S. cæspitosus; Carex elongata; Agrostis canina; Calamagrostis
lanceolata.

III. ANKER.--The Anker rises about 3 miles S.E. of Bedworth, drains the country about Bedworth, Nuneaton, Atherstone, Polesworth and Tamworth, and enters the Tame at Tamworth. The country it waters is usually flat, but on its left bank at Hartshill and Polesworth there is rising ground about 500 feet above sea level. In this sub-district the Warwickshire coalfields occur, and it is possibly due to the great prevalence of smoke that its flora is meagre and the plants often depauperated. The recorded flora is about 680 flowering plants and ferns, and among the more rare are:

*Myosurus minimus; Cardamine amara, C. impatiens; Viola
Reichenbachiana; Stellaria aquatica; Tilia parvifolia;
Rhamnus catharticus; Genista tinctoria; *Vicia sylvatica;
Prunus insititia; Potentilla procumbens; Rubus calvatus, R.
mucronulatus, R. Bloxamii, R. foliosus, R. Bellardi; Rosa
andegavensis, R. bibracteata; Epilobium roseum; Œnanthe
fluviatilis; Cornus sanguinea; Matricara Chamomilla;
Wahlenbergia hederacea; Atropa Belladonna; Veronica polita;
*Orobanche elatior; Rumex pratensis; Salix pentandra, S.
rubra; Sparganium neglectum; Sagittaria sagittifolia; Butomus
umbellatus; Potamogeton pusillus; Epipactis latifolia;
Fritillaria Meleagris; Scirpus acicularis; Nardus stricta;
Ceterach officinarum; Equisetum maximum; Chara Hedwigii.

IV. AVON.--This sub-district includes that portion of South Warwick within the area not drained by the Leam, Sow, Alne, and Arrow, including Milverton, Stoneleigh, Warwick, Stratford-on-Avon, Bidford and Salford Priors. This valley is beautifully undulating and well-wooded, watered by many minor streams, with very varied soils and usually highly cultivated. Its flora is peculiar from the absence of bog and heath plants, the records comprising about 970 flowering plants and ferns, of which the following are the rarer:--

Ranunculus parviflorus; Papaver strigosum, P. Lecoqii;
Sisymbrium Sophia; Erysimum cheiranthoides; Cheiranthus
Cheiri; Diplotaxis muralis; Viola odorata; Dianthus Armeria;
Hypericum dubium; Medicago maculata; Astragalus glycyphyllus;
Trifolium subterraneum, T. scabrum, T. fragiferum, T.
filiforme; Vicia lathyroides; Potentilla argentea; Rubus
Guntheri, R. tuberculatus; Rosa stylosa; Poterium Sanguisorba;
Geum intermedium; Epilobium tetragonum; Petroselinum segetum;
Senecio erucifolius; Crepis biennis; Solanum nigrum;
Mentha cardiaca; Myriophyllum alterniflorum, M. spicatum;
Salix Hoffmanniana, S. Helix; Potamageton flabellatus;
*Carex Bœninghauseniana; Carex acuta, C. pendula; Agrostis
spica-venti; Bromus commutatus.

V. SOW.--The Sow, rises near Astley, and receives tributaries, draining Combe fields, Brinklow and Sow Waste on the east, and Allesley, Corley, and Kenilworth on the west. The high land about Corley divides the watersheds of the Tame and Avon. The flora of this sub-district is about 691 flowering plants and ferns, the more noteworthy being--

Ranunculus penicillatus, R. radians; *Arabis perfoliata;
Geranium columbinum; Rubus humifusus, R. hirtus, R.
Balfourianus, R. Guntheri; Rosa Doniana; Epilobium obscurum;
Myriophyllum verticillatum; Callitriche hamulata; Saxifraga
granulata; Pimpinella magna; Silaus pratensis; Arctium
intermedium; Serratula tinctoria; Inula Conyza; Erigeron
acris; *Lactuca virosa; Campanula patula; *Cuscuta Europæa;
Verbena officinalis; *Mentha gentilis; Nepeta Cataria; Lamium
maculatum; Cynoglossum montanum, C. officinale; Chenopodium
rubrum; Potamogeton obtusifolius, P. mucronatus; Acorus
Calamus; Paris quadrifolia; Calamagrostis Epigeios; Lolium
temulentum; Aspidium angulare; Chara contraria.

VI. ALNE.--The Alne, rises near Tanworth on the west border of Warwickshire, the high land there forming in part the watershed of the Avon and Tame. Its course is through Henley-in-Arden, near here it is joined by an important tributary draining the country between Henley, Lapworth, and Rowington. This sub-district is somewhat hilly, the Alne Hills being the highest elevations. It includes Tanworth, Henley-in-Arden, Bearley, Alne, Wilmcote, Claverdon, Hatton, Rowington. The Lias soils prevail in southern part of the district. The flora is about 745 flowering plants and ferns, the following being the more rare--

Clematis vitalba; Ranunculus Drouetii; Helianthemum vulgare;
Viola hirta; Geranium pratense, G. pusillum; Melilotus
officinalis; Lotus tenuis; *Lathyrus Aphaca, L. Nissolia;
Spiræa Filipendula; Agrimonia odorata; Rubus thyrsoideus; Rosa
rubiginosa; Sison Amomum; Caucalis daucoides; Galium tricorne;
Valeriana Mikani; Scabiosa columbaria; Carduus acaulis;
Centauria Scabiosa; Anthemis nobilis; Arctium majus; Picris
hieracioides; Helminthia echioides; Gentiana amarella; Linaria
spuria, *L. repens; Thymus Chamædrys; Ophrys apifera; Juncus
obtusiflorus; Avena pratensis; Bromus erectus; B. secalinus;
Chara longibracteata.

VII. ARROW.--The Arrow enters the county near Redditch, and takes its course through a narrow hilly valley to its confluence with the Avon at Salford Priors, passing on its way Studley, Alcester, Arrow, Wixford, and Broome. This sub-district is well wooded; the soils are mostly Keuper marls and sand, with Lias soils prevailing about Wixford. The flora has not been fully worked out, but the record is now about 706 flowering plants and ferns; among the more noteworthy are:--

Ranunculus circinatus; Berberis vulgaris; Sinapis nigra;
Silene noctiflora; Euonymus Europæus; Trifolium striatum; Rosa
spinossisma; Pyrus communis; *Sedum Telephium; Ribes nigrum;
Bupleurum rotundifolium; Torilis infesta; Adoxa Moschatellina;
Viburnum Lantana; Carduus crispus, C. Eriophorus; Campanula
glomerata, C. Trachelium; Specularia hybrida; Chlora
perfoliata; *Hyoscyamus niger; Linaria Elatine; Calamintha
menthifolia; *Marrubium vulgare; Galeopsis Ladanum, G.
versicolor; Centunculus minimus; Chenopodium polyspermum,
C. hybridum; Polygonum Bistorta; Daphne Laureola; Carpinus
Betulus; Salix triandra; Orchis pyramidalis; Spiranthes
autumnalis; *Epipactis palustris; Chephalanthera ensifolia;
Iris fœtidissima; *Allium oleraceum; Juncus Gerardi; Carex
divulsa, *C. distans; Kœhleria cristata; Schlerochloa rigida;
Brachipodium pinnatum.

WORCESTER.

The Worcestershire portion of the district extends from Oldbury and Yardley in the north, to Abbot’s Morton on the south. It is watered by the Cole and Rea, tributaries to the Tame, by the Stour and Salwarp, tributaries to the Severn, by the Severn itself, and by the Arrow and minor streams tributaries to the Avon. A range of hills about eight miles long runs across the country from north-west to south-east, and articulates with the central water parting at Bromsgrove Lickey. It includes Clent, Walton and Romsley Hills, Frankley Beeches, the Upper and the Lower Lickey, and rises in Walton Hill, to a maximum height of 1036 feet above the sea. The Worcestershire portion of the district has been divided into the following eight sub-districts, distinguished by the Roman numerals I. to VIII. It has not been found convenient in every case to adopt water partings as sub-divisional boundaries.

I. REA. II. CLENT AND LICKEY. III. STOUR. IV. EAST SEVERN. V. WEST SEVERN. VI. SALWARP. VII. ARROW. VIII. AVON.

I. REA.--The north-east angle of the county, drained by the Rea and Cole. Surface strata, red marl, occasionally covered by modern drift.

The flora of this sub-district has, unhappily, mainly an historical interest. Moseley Wake Green and Bog, drained and enclosed in or about 1840, and now partly built upon, formerly produced the following rarities:--

Viola palustris; Drosera rotundifolia; Dianthus deltoides;
Alsine tenuifolia; Radiola millegrana; Hypericum elodes;
Comarum palustre; Parnassia palustris; Helosciadium inundatum;
Hydrocotyle vulgaris; Carduus pratensis; Vaccinium Oxycoccus;
Menyanthes trifoliata; Pedicularis palustris; Scutellaria
minor; Anagallis tenella; Centunculus minimus; Narthecium
ossifragum; Rhyncospora alba; Eriophorum vaginatum; Triodia
decumbens; Molinia cærulea; Nephrodium Oreopteris; Osmunda
regalis; Lycopodium Selago; Equisetum hyemale.

Most of the above plants are certainly, and all probably, extinct. The same may be said of--

Thalictrum flavum; Coronopus Ruellii; Lythrum Salicaria; Ribes
alpinum; Œnanthe fistulosa; Veronica Anagallis; Triglochin
palustre; Butomus umbellatus; recorded from other parts of this
sub-district.

The rarer plants now existing within it are:--

Ranunculus pseudo-fluitans; Chelidonium majus; Cardamine amara;
Nasturtium amphibium; Nasturtium palustre; Epilobium roseum;
Sium augustifolium; Adoxa moschatellina; Galium uliginosum;
Hieraceum umbellatum; Campanula latifolia; Limosella
aquatica; Stachys palustris; Rumex Hydrolapathum; Narcissus
pseudo-narcissus; Lemna trisulca; Sagittaria sagittifolia;
Scirpus setaceus; Carex vesicaria, C. pseudo-Cyperus;
Alopecurus fulvus; Triticum caninum.

II. CLENT AND LICKEY.--The Clent and Lickey Hills, with the head waters of the Rea and Arrow, and upper valley of the Stour to Stourbridge. Surface strata; Water stones, Bunter soft red sandstone and Pebble bed, Permian breccia, Permian clays and sandstones, Coal measures, Silurian and Cambrian rocks of the lower Lickey. This sub-district is extensively wooded, especially in the basin of the upper Stour above Halesowen.

The rarer plants are--

Ranunculus circinatus, R. auricomus, R. parviflorus, R.
arvensis; Corydalis claviculata; Lepidium Smithii; Cardamine
amara, C. impatiens; Barbarea stricta; Nasturtium amphibium;
Erysimum cheiranthoides; Cheiranthus Cheiri; Reseda luteola;
Viola palustris; Polygala depressa; Moenchia erecta;
Spergularia rubra; Hypericum Androsæmun, H. humifusum; Geranium
sylvaticum, G. lucidum; Rhamnus Frangula; Ulex Gallii; Genista
tinctoria; Ononis arvensis. O. campestris; Melilotus arvensis;
Trifolium medium, T. hybridum; Ornithopus perpusillus;
Orobus tuberosus; Prunus Avium; Geum rivale, G. intermedium;
Rubus macrophyllus, R. Sprengelii, R. hystrix, R. rudis, R.
Kœhleri, R. fusco-ater, R. rotundifolius, R. tenuiarmatus, R.
diversifolius; Rosa mollissima, R. tomentosa, R. subglobosa, R.
Watsoni; Agrimonia Eupatoria, A. odorata; Alchemilla vulgaris;
Sanguisorba officinalis; Poterium muricatum; Pyrus Aucuparia;
Epilobium angustifolium, E. obscurum; Callitriche stagnalis;
Peplis Portula; Ribes rubrum, R. nigrum; Chrysosplenium
alternifolium; Adoxa moschatellina; Hydrocotyle vulgaris;
Sanicula Europæa; Pimpinella magna; Silaus pratensis; Pastinaca
sativa; Torilis infesta; Viscum album; Sambucus nigra; Viburnum
Opulus; Asperula odorata; Valerianella dentata; Dipsacus
pilosus; Inula Conyza, I. dysenterica; Matricaria Parthenium;
M. Chamomilla; Doronicum Pardalianches; Senecio erucifolius;
Carlina vulgaris; Serratula tinctoria; Centaurea Scabiosa;
Lactuca muralis; Hieracium murorum; Campanula latifolia;
Erica tetralix; Vaccinium Myrtillus; Erythræa Centaurium;
Chlora perfoliata; Convolvulus sepium; Cuscuta Trifolii;
Orobanche major; Lathræa squamaria; Linaria Cymbalaria, L.
repens; Pedicularis sylvatica; Veronica montana, V. Buxbaumii;
Calamintha Clinopodium; Scutellaria galericulata; Lamium
Galeobdolon; Galeopsis versicolor; Stachys Betonica; Myosotis
sylvatica; Cynoglossum officinale; Primula caulescens;
Lysimachia vulgaris, L. Nummularia; Chenopodium Bonus-Henricus,
C. olidum; Polygonum Bistorta; Euphorbia amygdaloides; Humulus
Lupulus; Salix pentandra, S. aurita; Paris quadrifolia;
Tamus communis; Orchis Morio; Gymnadenia conopsea; Neottia
nidus-avis; Habenaria bifolia; Epipactis media; Narcissus
pseudo-narcissus; Sagittaria sagittifolia; Butomus umbellatus;
Allium ursinum; Colchicum autumnale; Juncus squarrosus; Luzula
pilosa; Potamogeton rufescens, P. perfoliatus, P. crispus,
P. pectinatus; Carex pulicaris, C. remota, C. pallescens. C.
strigosa, C. pendula, C. pilulifera, C. fulva, C. lepidocarpa,
C. sylvatica, C. pseudo-Cyperus, C. binervis; Triodia
decumbens; Molinia cærulea; Festuca gigantea; Bromus erectus;
Nardus stricta; Equisetum maximum, E. sylvaticum, E. hyemale;
Nephrodium Oreopteris, N. spinulosum; Aspidium aculeatum, A.
angulare: Asplenium Trichomanes; Blechnum boreale; Botrychium
Lunaria; Ophioglossum vulgatum; Lycopodium clavatum.

Diplotaxis muralis; Buplerum rotundifolium; Hyoscyamus niger;
Linaria Elatine; Borago orientalis have occurred as casuals.

_Narthecium ossifragum_ and _Drosera rotundifolia_ formerly grew at the Lower Lickey. The former was destroyed by drainage about 1854, the latter has been recently extirpated by collectors. _Ceterach officinarum_, which grew in great abundance on the garden wall at the Leasows from 1850 to 1884, was destroyed soon after the latter date.

III. STOUR.--Country from the foot of the Clent Hills to the east bank of the Stour, near Kidderminster. Surface strata--Waterstones, soft red Bunter, Pebble bed. This sub-district is distinguished by the steep scarps of the waterstones, the sandy soils of the soft red sandstone, and the numerous pools on the brooks which flow from the Clent Hills into the river Stour. The rarer plants are--

Rananculus circinatus, R. fluitans, R. Lenormandi; Aquilegia
vulgaris; Chelidonium majus; Nasturtium palustre; Cardamine
amara; Barbarea præcox; Thlaspi arvense; Teesdalia nudicaulis;
Viola palustris; Sagina ciliata; Arenaria leptoclados;
Cerastium aquaticum, C. semidecandrum; Spergularia rubra;
Malva moschata; Hypericum dubium, H. humifusum; Geranium
columbinum; Erodium cicutarium; Trifolium arvense, T.
filiforme; Ornithopus perpusillus; Potentilla argentea;
Comarum palustre; Rubus suberectus, R. affinis, R. umbrosus,
R. rhamnifolius, R. Lindleianus, R. diversifolius, R.
ternuiarmatus; R. spinosissima, R. mollissima; Lythrum
Salicaria; Epilobium angustifolium. E. obscurum; Myriophyllum
spicatum; Ceratophyllum aquaticum; Bryonia dioica; Sedum
Telephium, S. album; Ribes rubrum, R. nigrum; Saxifraga
granulata; Chrysosplenium alternifolium; Parnassia palustris;
Hydrocotyle vulgaris; Sium angustifolium; Conium maculatum;
Galium uliginosum; Valerianella olitoria; Gnaphalium
sylvaticum; Anthemis arvensis; Tanacetum vulgare; Bidens
tripartita, B. cernua; Carduus nutans; Leontodon hirtus;
Hieracium murorum, H. umbellatum; Jasione montana; Campanula
patula; Menyanthes trifoliata; Echium vulgare; Myosotis
versicolor; Solanum nigrum; Verbascum Thapsus, V. nigrum, V.
virgatum; Veronica Anagallis, V. polita; Pedicularis palustris;
Verbena officinalis; Salvia verbenaca; Mentha sylvestris; M.
piperta; Calamintha menthifolia, C. Acinos; Nepeta Cataria;
Rumex Hydrolapathum, R. pratensis; Polygonum Bistorta, P.
pseudo-dumetorum; Anacharis Alsinastrum; Orchis mascula,
O. latifolia, O. incarnata; Alisma Plantago; Polygonatum
multiflorum; Luzula sylvatica, L. pilosa; Typha augustifolia;
Acorus Calamus; Sparganium ramosum, S. simplex; Potamogeton
zosterifolius, P. flabellatus; P. lucens; Zanichellia
palustris; Scirpus sylvaticus; Carex axillaris, C. disticha, C.
muricata, C. paniculata, C. Boeninghauseniana, C. pilulifera,
C. pseudo-Cyperus, C. ampullacea, C. paludosa; Nardus stricta;
Aira caryophyllea, A. præcox; Avena pubescens; Festuca
sciuroides, F. Myurus; Bromus erectus; Triticum caninum;
Equisetum maximum; Asplenium Trichomanes; Ceterach officinarum.

_Camelina sativa_, _Silene anglica_, _Anthoxanthum Puelii_, have been found as field casuals. _Mimulus luteus_ is established in the brooks at Churchill. _Medicago maculata_, _Xanthium spinosum_, _Polypogon monspeliensis_ were growing in 1875 on wool waste at Hoo Mill.

_Sium latifolium_, which grew in Blakedown Pools, in Purton’s time, has been long extinct in that locality. _Osmunda regalis_, which grew in this sub-district in 1852-3, has disappeared. _Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum_ and _Scolpendrium vulgare_ have been all but exterminated.

_Elatine hexandra_ and _Hydropiper_, reported by the late Mr. Alexander Irvine in a “Mill Pond near Churchill station,” in 1857, have not been seen by any other botanist.

IV. EAST SEVERN.--Country from the west bank of the Stour to the east bank of the Severn near Bewdley and Stourport, including Hartlebury Common east of Severn, below the junction of the Stour at Stourport. Surface strata: Waterstones, Bunter sandstone and Pebble bed, Permian breccia, Coal measures, Old red sandstone; covered at Hartlebury Common and elsewhere with modern drift. The sand and bog plants of Hartlebury Common are the most interesting features of the flora of this sub-district. It contains--

Ranunculus fluitans; Teesdalia nudicaulis; Brassica
Cheiranthus; Viola canina; Drosera rotundifolia; Cerastium
arvense; Spergularia rubra; Radiola millegrana; Erodium
maritimum; Geranium pratense, G. lucidum, G. pyrenaicum;
Trifolium striatum, T. arvense; Ornithopus perpusillus; Vicia
lathyroides; Potentilla argentea; Comarum palustre; Rubus
suberectus, R. fusco-ater; Rosa spinosissima; Pyrus torminalis;
Lythrum Salicaria; Sedum dasyphyllum; Cotyledon Umbilicus;
Hydrocotyle vulgaris; Helosciadium inundatum; Œnanthe crocata;
Chærophyllum Anthriscus; Lonicera Caprifolium, L. Xylosteum;
Valerianella carinata; Carduus nutans; Hypochæris glabra; Inula
Conyza; Erigeron acris; Campanula Trachelium; Erica tetralix;
Monotropa hypopitys; Menyanthes trifoliata; Myosotis collina;
Verbascum Lychnitis, V. virgatum; Nepeta Cataria; Veronica
scutellata: Salvia verbenaca; Calamintha menthifolia, C.
Acinos; Scutellaria minor; Marrubium vulgare; Rumex maritimus;
Potamogeton polygonifolius, P. obtusifolius; Juncus squarrosus;
Rhyncospora alba; Eriophorum augustifolium; Scirpus fluitans;
Carex curta, C. pilulifera, C. divulsa; Agrostis canina;
Triodia decumbens; Nardus stricta; Equisetum sylvaticum;
Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum; Botrychium Lunaria; Lycopodium
clavatum, L. inundatum.

_Melilotus alba_, _Carum Carui_, _Arnoseris pusilla_, _Crepis Nicænsis_, _Linaria minor_ have been found as casuals near the Railway Viaduct over the Stour, south of Kidderminster, and _Centaurea solstitialis_ at Hartlebury; _Lycopodium complanatum_ was gathered on Hartlebury Common in 1836, but has not been seen since.

V. WEST SEVERN.--Country west of the Severn, from Wyre Forest on the north, to Shrawley Wood on the south. Surface strata: Waterstones, soft red Bunter, Permian breccia, Coal measures, Old red sandstone. This sub-district extends somewhat beyond the twenty miles radius. It is chiefly remarkable for the large area of woodland known as Wyre Forest, which produces a number of rarities not found elsewhere within the County. Part of the forest is in Salop. The following list includes plants from both counties:--

Thalictrum flavum; Ranunculus fluitans; Aquilegia vulgaris;
Cardamine impatiens; Nasturtium sylvestre; Polygala vulgaris;
Saponaria officinalis; Hypericum montanum; Tilia parvifolia,
T. grandifolia; Geranium sylvaticum, G. sanguineum; Rhamnus
catharticus, R. Frangula; Vicia sylvatica; Spiræa salicifolia;
Pyrus torminalis; Rubus saxatilis, R. villicaulis, R. hirtus,
R. pyramidalis, R. Guntheri; Rosa mollissima, R. micrantha;
Sedium Telephium; Galium erectum; Hieracium murorum; Campanula
latifolia, C. Trachelium; Pyrola media, P. minor; Gentiana
campestris; Mentha Pulegium; Pedicularis palustris; Melampyrum
pratense; Scutellaria minor; Myosotis repens; Lithospermum
officinale; Centunculus minimus; Juniperus communis;
Convallaria majalis; Orchis latifolia; Gymnadenia conopsea;
Habenaria chlorantha, H. viridis; Epipactis latifolia, E.
palustris; Cephalanthera ensifolia; Neottia nidus-avis;
Spiranthes autumnalis; Scirpus pauciflorus, S. setaceus;
Eriophorum latifolium; Carex pulicaris, C. divulsa, C. fulva,
C. montana, C. strigosa; Melica nutans; Nephrodium Oreopteris;
Equisetum maximum, E. hyemale.

A single tree of _Pyrus domestica_, once a celebrity of Wyre Forest, and reputed the only wild one in Britain, was destroyed by fire in 1862. _Spiranthes æstioalis_ has once been gathered in the great bog in the Forest; _Coronilla varia_ occurs as a casual on the right bank of the Severn, about a mile above Bewdley.

VI. ARROW.--Country between Barnt Green and Redditch, surrounding the village of Alvechurch. With the exception of a small patch of Waterstone, this sub-district is entirely on the Red marl. Several large reservoirs belonging to the Worcester canal are situated within it.

The following are its characteristic plants--

Ranunculus Drouetii; Lepidum ruderale; Viola palustris; Drosera
rotundifolia; Lotus tenuis; Rosa micrantha, R. sub-cristata,
R. Hailstonii, R. Borreri, R. bibracteata; Rubus adornatus, R.
thyrsoideus, R. pilosus; Lathyrus Nissolia; Pyrus torminalis;
Epilobium angustifolium; Myriophyllum spicatum; Valerianella
dentata; Anthemis arvensis; Artemisia Absinthium; Serratula
tinctoria; Carduus crispus; Campanula patula; Myosotis repens;
Pedicularis palustris; Limosella aquatica; Veronica Anagallis,
V. scutellata; Primula caulescens; Anagallis tenella; Euphorbia
amygdaloides; Rumex Hydrolapathum; Triglochin palustre;
Butomus umbellatus; Sagittaria sagittifolia; Acorus Calamus;
Potamogeton polygonfolius; Ophrys apifera; Juncus squarrosus;
Eleocharis acicularis; Scirpus setaceus; Calamagrostis
Epigejos; Nardus stricta; Equisetum sylvaticum; Ophioglossum
vulgatum; Chara flexilis.

VII. SALWARP.--Country from the S.W. foot of the Lickey Hills, to the Salwarp below Droitwich. Surface strata: Red Marl, Waterstones. The most noticeable features are the extensive tract of woodland known as the Randans, and the Salt Works of Stoke and Droitwich. The latter have rendered the canals and streams in the vicinity more or less saline.

The characteristic plants are--

Geranium lucidum, G. Pyrenaicum; Rhamnus catharticus; Dipsacus
sylvestris; Sison Amomum; Scandix Pecten-Veneris; Picris
hieracioides; Senecio erucifolius; Carduus crispus; Inula
Conyza; Vaccinium Myrtillus; Melampyrum pratense; Plantago
media; Scirpus Tabernæmontani; Calamagrostis Epigejos; Aspidium
angulare; Nephrodium spinulosum; Lycopodium clavatum.

_Polypodium Dryopteris_, and _Cystopteris fragilis_, which grew at Catshill up to 1861, are believed to be extinct. The plants of the saline waters of Droitwich deserve separate mention. They are--

Lepidum ruderale, L. latifolium; Spergularia salina: Apium
graveolens; Samolus Valerandi; Glaux maritima; Juncus Gerardi;
Sclerochloa distans.

VIII. AVON.--The country about Feckenham on the streams tributary to the Avon, is situated partly on the Lias, and partly on the Red Marl. It is the only one of the eight sub-districts in which the Lias occurs. The following plants are principally characteristic of the calcareous soil of the Lias--

Trifolium fragiferum; Lotus tenuis; Melilotus officinalis;
Astragalus glycyphyllus; Lathyrus Nissolia; Poterium muricatum;
Sison Amomum; Conium maculatum; Pastinaca sativa; Torilis
nodosa; Picris hieracioides; Helminthia echioides; Campanula
latifolia; Lithospermum arvense; Daphne Laureola; Ophrys
apifera.

A large tract of bog land known as Feckenham Moor existed in this sub-district in the time of Purton, and produced the following plants, recorded in his “Midland Flora”--

Parnassia palustris; Hydrocotyle vulgaris; Carduus pratensis;
Pinguicula vulgaris; Triglochin palustre; Alisma ranunculoides;
Schœnus nigricans; Cladium Mariscus.

The moor was drained many years ago, and its plants are all extinct.

STAFFORD.

The Staffordshire portion of the district extends from Upper Arley, on the west to Penkridge and Rugeley on the north, and to Tamworth on the east. The parish of Dudley, which, although in Worcester is entirely surrounded by Stafford, will be treated as part of the latter county. The principal elevations are the Silurian Hills of Dudley Castle, 550 feet, and of the Wren’s Nest, 500 feet above the sea, situated on the central water parting. West of these are Kinver Edge, 550 feet, and on the east Barr Beacon, 654 feet. It is watered on the west by the Severn, on the north and east by the Trent and Tame, and other tributary streams. It produces on the whole an interesting flora, notwithstanding the fact that the South Staffordshire Coalfield with the collieries and iron works, so destructive to vegetation, is included within its limits. The sub-districts adopted are: I. SEVERN, II. TRENT, III. TAME.

I. SEVERN.--This sub-district comprises Upper Arley, Kinver, Enville, Dudley and Sedgley, with much of the country W. and N.W., of Wolverhampton. The Coal measures extend over a considerable area, and Silurian limestones and shales occur about Sedgley and Dudley.

The more interesting plants are:--

Ranunculus circinatus, R. fluitans, R. parviflorus; Berberis
vulgaris; Sinapis nigra; Cardamine amara, C. impatiens;
Teesdalia nudicaulis; Viola palustris; Saponaria officinalis;
Silene Anglica; Cerastium arvense; Sagina ciliata; Hypericum
Androsæmum, H. dubium, H. humifusum; Geranium pyrenaicum,
G. columbinum; Erodium moschatum, E. maritimum; Euonymus
Europæus; Rhamnus catharticus; R. Frangula; Genista tinctoria;
Ulex Gallii; Melilotus officinalis; Ornithopus perpusillus;
Vicia sylvatica, V. lathyroides; Prunus insititia, P. Padus;
Sanguisorba officinalis; Potentilla argentea; Comarum palustre;
Pyrus Malus, var. mitis; Saxifraga granulata; Chrysosplenium
alternifolium; Helosciadium inundatum; Œnanthe fistulosa,
Œ. crocata; Torilis nodosa; Chærophyllum Anthriscus; Viscum
album; Viburnum Opulus; Carduus nutans, C. eriophorus, C.
pratensis; Carlina vulgaris; Gnaphalium sylvaticum; Doronicum
Pardalianches; Inula Conyza; Solidago virga-aurea; Hypochæris
glabra; Leontodon hirtus; Picris hieracioides; Helminthia
echioides; Hieracium umbellatum; Campanula Rapunculus, C.
patula; Monotropa hypopitys; Gentiana Amarella; Chlora
perfoliata; Atropa Belladonna; Verbascum Thapsus, V. Lychnitis,
V. Thapso-lychnitis; Linaria Elatine; Limosella aquatica;
Mimulus luteus; Nepeta Cataria; Scutellaria minor; Galeopsis
Ladanum; Echium vulgare; Lithospermum officinale; Myosotis
sylvatica; Cynoglossum officinale; Parietaria officinalis;
Ulmus montana; Chenopodium polyspermum; Salix decipiens,
S. cærulea, S. vitellina, S. undulata, S. purpurea, S.
Woolgariana, S. acuminata, S. laurina; Sparganium neglectum;
Orchis mascula, O. Morio, O. latifolia; Epipactis latifotia;
Colchicum officinale; Carex pulicaris, C. pallescens, C.
strigosa, C. pendula; Poa nemoralis; Nephrodium Thelypteris;
Botrychium Lunaria; Lycopodium clavatum.

II. TRENT.--Comprises much of the country lying N. and N.E. of Wolverhampton, including Codsall, Penkridge, Cannock Chase, Rugeley, Abbotts Bromley and Alrewas. Much of this sub-district has a sub-Alpine character in its physical features and flora, and is beautifully undulated throughout. The rocks are mainly Triassic, but the coal measures prevail over a considerable area. The more rare plants are:--

Thalictrum flavum; Ranunculus circinatus, R. trichophyllus, R.
Drouetii, R. Baudotii v. confusus, R. Lenormandi, R. flamula
var. pseudo-reptans, R. Lingua, R. hirsutus, R. parviflorus;
Caltha Guerangerii; Actæa spicata; Papaver Rhæas v. strigosum;
Chelidonium majus; Thlaspi arvense; Erysimum cheiranthoides;
Arabis perfoliata; Nasturtium amphibium; Viola palustris, V.
Reichenbachiana; Drosera rotundifolia; Polygala depressa; Tilia
parvifolia; Montia fontana; Prunus Padus; Potentilla argentea;
Rubus rhamnifolius, R. villicaulis, R. Schlechtendalii, R.
Sprengelii, R. Bloxamii, R. rosaceus, R. infestus, R. Guntheri,
R. Bellardii; Rosa scabriuscula, R. tomentella; Epilobium
roseum; Hippuris vulgaris; Chrysosplenium alternifolium;
Hydrocotyle vulgaris; Œnanthe fistulosa, Œ. Phellandrium;
Bidens cernua, B. tripartita; Hieracium maculatum; Wahlenbergia
hederacea; Vaccinium Oxycoccus, V. Vitis-Idæa, V. Myrtillus;
Menyanthes trifoliata; Mentha piperita; Lamium Galeobdolon;
Myosotis palustris; Pinguicula vulgaris, Lysimachia Nummularia;
Anagallis tenella; Polygonum Bistorta; Rumex maritimus;
Empetrum nigrum; Salix pentandra, S. triandra, S. Forbyana,
S. Smithiana, S. holosericea, S. hyppophaefolia; Typha
angustifolia; Potamogeton lucens; Fritillaria Meleagris;
Narthecium ossifragum; Scirpus lacustris, S. sylvaticus;
Eriophorum angustifolium, E. vaginatum; Carex dioica, C.
curta, C. disticha, C. muricata, C. pilulifera, C. binervis,
C. pseudo-Cyperus, C. vesicaria, C. ampullacea; Calamogrostis
Epegeios; Milium effusum; Molinia cærulea; Avena pubescens, A.
fatua; Triticum caninum; Nardus stricta; Osmunda regalis.

III. TAME.--This sub-district, includes Walsall, Lichfield, Shenstone, Barr and Handsworth. The surface rocks are Trias, Permian and Coal measures, and the limestones of Walsall, Rushall, and Hay Head. The greatest elevation is Barr Beacon. Both the source and the mouth of the Tame are within the limits of this sub-district. The principal plants are:--

Thalictrum flavum; Arabis perfoliata; Cardamine amara, C.
impatiens; Nasturtium sylvestre; Teesdalia nudicaulis; Reseda
Luteola; Silene noctiflora; Malva moschata, M. rotundifolia;
Erodium cicutarium; Genista Anglica; Lathyrus Nissolia;
Orobus tuberosus; Prunus insititia, P. Padus; Geum rivale;
Rosa subglobosa, R. micrantha, R. collina; Rubus suberectus,
R. rharmnifolius; Pyrus Aria; Sedum Telephium; Saxifraga
granulata; Chrysosplenium alternifolium; Parnassia palustris;
Helosciadium repens; Myrrhis odorata; Apium graveolens;
Œnanthe crocata; Dipsacus pilosus; Valerianella dentata;
Galium Witheringii; Carduus nutans, C. pratensis; Anthemis
nobilis; Erigeron acris; Campanula Trachelium, C. latifolia,
C. patula; Solanum nigrum; Linaria minor; Veronica Buxbaumii,
V. montana, V. scutellata, V. Anagallis; Limosella aquatica;
Pinguicula vulgaris; Utricularia vulgaris; Lysimachia
vulgaris; Centunculus minimus; Parietaria officinalis;
Ulmus montana; Salix pentandra; Acorus Calamus; Epipactis
palustris; Convallaria majalis; Typha angustifolia; Lemna
gibba; Narthecium ossifragum; Colchicum autumnale; Scirpus
sylvaticus, S. cæspitosus; Carex pallescens, C. pseudo-Cyperus;
Calamagrostis Epegejos, C. lanceolatus; Milium effusum; Avena
pubescens; Triticum caninum; Asplenium Ruta-muraria; Aspidium
lobatum; Osmunda regalis.