Herb-Paris Paris quadrifolia is a perennial plant of damp, moderately calcareous woodlands. Blooming in late spring, it is a striking and distinctive species featuring a whorl of four ovate leaves. In May, a single flower emerges on an upright stem – a star-shaped bloom composed of four yellow-green petals and four green sepals, topped by a dark ‘berry’ and a crown of eight golden stamens.
Known as oneberrie in historic accounts, Herb-paris was first properly described in England by the father of English botany, William Turner (1508-1568), who wrote of his discovery:
‘The herb that hath bene taken for lyberdes bayne, groweth plentuousely besyde morpeth in Northumberland in a wod called cottyngwod’.
Never one to pass up an encounter with a special plant, this week, a chance visit to Morpeth as part of a course I’m leading provided the perfect opportunity to visit Cottingwood for myself.
Herb-Paris Paris quadrifolia at Cottingwood
Cottingwood is a small woodland nestled in the heart of Morpeth, Northumberland. That it has survived in a relatively unaltered state is something of a miracle – the deep, steep-sided valley offering protection from the spread of the affluent housing developments that have sprung up around it in the years since Turner visited. Today, it remains in relatively good condition and is home to many plants typically associated with ancient woodland: Bluebell, Wood Sedge, Great Horsetail, and others. Some areas of the wood appear well-trodden, but elsewhere, dense vegetation gives the impression that few people venture into this special and historically significant patch of greenery.
After navigating a few banks and narrow trails, we came upon a damp flush where, to our delight, the distinctive flowers of paris appeared in surprising abundance – growing in precisely the same spot where Turner described the plant centuries ago.
Herb-Paris Paris quadrifolia at Cottingwood
If the survival of Cottingwood itself is surprising, then the continued presence of Herb-paris at this little site borders on the miraculous. Now a rare species, it is often confined to particularly special habitats — its spread hindered by its own unique biology (it does, after all, produce only one seed annually). Even so, what a privilege it was to sit in the very same spot as one of our most eminent botanical forebears, admiring this weird, wonderful, and undeniably beautiful plant.
Spring flowers don’t come much better than this…
Herb-Paris Paris quadrifolia and Ramsons Allium ursinum
While recording for the Urban Flora, I’ve now encountered a total of 23 fern species growing in a wild or naturalised state within the conurbation. An additional three species have been submitted by fellow recorders, bringing the total to a healthy 26. This is quite an impressive number given the area covered, though it still represents a relatively small 2.3% of the total plant species recorded from the area.
Nonetheless, urban ferns are an interesting bunch. In the style of my previous posts [here] and [here], I thought I’d explore them properly on this blog — partly for reference, and partly in the hope that someone, somewhere, finds these rambles either useful or at least somewhat interesting.
Before I go any further, however, a very big thank you to Chris Barlow and David Jarema for making their photography available for projects such as this. It is most appreciated.
Common Ferns
The Big Five
The “big five” urban ferns represent the most common and widespread species within the conurbation. All are fairly familiar and either thrive in a wide variety of habitats or are associated with environments so ubiquitous that they’ve become an almost daily sight.
Chief among them is the Male FernDryopteris filix-mas, which has so far been recorded in 135 squares—an impressive 71% of those surveyed. It’s truly a fern that gets everywhere: from woodlands and hedgerows to urban walls, gutters, gardens, and even pavements close to overflowing drainpipes. While I doubt it will turn out to be truly ubiquitous across every square, it’s about as close as a fern can reasonably get.
Not far behind in the numbers game is Hart’s-tongueAsplenium scolopendrium, an evergreen fern of moist, shaded woodlands that is also frequently encountered on mortared walls and masonry. Recorded from 102 squares (53%), it’s certainly abundant.
Two other “wall ferns” are also doing well: Wall-rueAsplenium ruta-muraria, noted in 84 squares (44%), and Maidenhair SpleenwortAsplenium trichomanes, in 70 squares (36%). While marginally less widespread, both can be prolific where they occur – typically in older, more unkempt terraced neighbourhoods, where less rigorous weeding allows them to thrive. In contrast, they can be surprisingly scarce in modern developments or more affluent areas where tidiness tends to take priority.
The final fern worthy of inclusion in this section is Broad Buckler-fernDryopteris dilatata. Typically a species of somewhat acidic, damp soils, it’s most often encountered in woodland settings. However, it has proven far more catholic in its habitat preferences than many other woodland ferns, turning up readily in newer woodlands, plantations, hedgerows, rail embankments, and even grassy habitats on occasion. So far, it has been recorded in 48 (25%) survey squares.
The next group of ferns are altogether more particular in their habitat preferences and occur much more sparingly across the conurbation — though not quite so sparsely as to be considered rare. With the exception of one notable species, all are best described as woodland ferns within Newcastle and North Tyneside. We’ll look at these first.
Hard Shield-fern Polystichum aculeatum and Soft Shield-fernPolystichum setiferum make for an interesting duo. The former is native to the area, typically inhabiting damp, shaded stream-sides and rocky ledges within woodland. The latter, meanwhile, is a more recent arrival, introduced occasionally but now subject to natural colonisation as well. Intriguingly, the two species are neck-and-neck in terms of occurrence, each recorded from 10 survey squares (5%). Both remain closely tied to the relic semi-natural woodland of Newcastle’s denes, though Soft Shield-fern has begun to spread a little more widely.
Another interesting pair are the Scaly Male-ferns. Within the conurbation, we seem to host two fairly frequent species and one rarer one (which I’ll cover later). Among the more commonly encountered are Borrer’s Male-fernDryopteris borreri and Golden-scaly Male-fernDryopteris affinis.
Of the two, D. borreri is notably more abundant, recorded in 26 survey squares 13.7%. While it tends to favour older woodland habitats, it also turns up elsewhere including newer plantations. D. affinis, on the other hand, is much more selective, preferring damp locations in older woodlands, and has been recorded in just 7 squares 3.7%. In fact, the only places I’ve found it in any real abundance are Jesmond and Wallbottle Denes, now that I think about it.
The conurbation’s wooded denes are also just about the only places where you’re likely to encounter Hard FernBlechnum spicant these days. Recorded in 8 survey squares 4.2%, it is largely restricted to Sugley, Walbottle, Jesmond, and Denton Denes – with the only notable outlier being a small population at Gosforth Nature Reserve where the acid soils suit it well.
Two more uncommon species associated with the conurbation’s woodlands – albeit with a bit more flexibility – are Lady-fernAthyrium filix-femina and BrackenPteridium aquilinum.
Lady-fern, recorded from 21 squares (11.1%), remains fairly localised, with the best populations once again found within the area’s wooded denes. However, it will readily colonise other damp, shaded spots such as ditches, hedgebanks, and more recent plantations.
Bracken, by contrast, is quite the opposite. It favours somewhat acidic soils in the drier, upper reaches of older woodlands, where it can be particularly abundant. Still, it’s far from confined to such settings and occurs more broadly across the conurbation as a colonist of all sorts of habitats, especially rail sidings and grassy banks. In total, Bracken has been observed in 29 squares (24%), though it is by no means “common”.
The final species worthy of mention at this stage is, rather refreshingly, not a fern of woodlands but instead a calcicole, favouring mortared walls in urban areas. Black SpleenwortAsplenium adiantum-nigrum has been recorded from 28 squares (14.7%) so far. While one of the less common wall ferns overall, it can be surprisingly plentiful in certain neighbourhoods, particularly around Walker, Heaton, and Wallsend. It also occurs sporadically in squares around Newcastle City Centre, including in spots where even more typical ferns like Wall-rue are absent.
And so we come to the conurbation’s rare ferns – the ones that truly generate excitement when you stumble across them. There’s a surprising number of these, though they all tend to fall into two distinct categories: rare natives or exotic introductions. We’ll start by looking at the native species first…
Scarce Native Species
Kicking off our collection of rare woodland ferns is a duo found exclusively at Gosforth Nature Reserve —suggesting a preference for mildly acidic conditions.
Narrow Buckler-fern Dryopteris carthusiana has long been a rarity in the conurbation, with no local records since George Swan encountered it in the Gosforth Park back in the 1970s. That changed recently when local botanist, John Durkin, rediscovered it in wet woodland and relic acid grassland at the reserve. Found in just 1 square (0.5%), it is by all accounts a true local rarity. The same goes for its hybrid with Broad Buckler-fern, Dryopteris x deweveri, also noted from a single square (0.5%) during surveys by the same recorder.
Speaking of hybrids, Polystichum × bicknellii — the cross between Hard Shield-fern and Soft Shield-fern —has so far only been recorded from Jesmond Dene, where both parent species occur. Meanwhile, Gosforth Nature Reserve has produced two further exciting finds: Narrow Male-fernDryopteris cambrensis and Lemon-scented FernOreopteris limbosperma, each recorded from just one square (0.5%). Both are, for now, exceptionally scarce within the conurbation.
RustybackAsplenium ceterach has long been a rare fern on Tyneside. For years, it was known only from an exterior garden wall in North Shields where happily, it still persists today. Encouragingly, it was also recorded last year on an exterior wall in Brunswick, where it was growing in mortar alongside a mix of more familiar species. So far, Rustyback has been observed in just 2 squares (1.1%).
And since we’re on the subject of walls, now seems a fitting moment to turn our attention to the urban Polypodium species. Both PolypodyPolypodium vulgare and Intermediate PolypodyPolypodium interjectum are rare within the conurbation — though they may well be under-recorded.
P. vulgare has proven the more widespread of the two, typically occurring as a thinly distributed epiphyte of older woodlands, with records from Jesmond, Sugley, and Denton Denes. It also occasionally turns up on old walls, though here it remains quite scarce. To date, it has been recorded from 9 squares (4.7%). In contrast, P. interjectum is more characteristic of mortared walls and has been noted as a scattered colonist in 3 squares (1.6%).
A final rare native worthy of mention is the unusual Adder’s-tongueOphioglossum vulgatum, a species typically found in higher-quality, neutral to acidic grasslands. Within the conurbation, it appears to be in decline – likely as aa consequence of poor grassland management in many areas. So far, it has been observed from just two well-known sites: a verge along Salter’s Lane and, in greater numbers, from grassland near Havannah Nature Reserve. It remains restricted to 2 squares (1.1%).
As I’ve touched on in previous posts, Jesmond Dene is home to its fair share of weird and wonderful exotic plants, including several ferns. Most of these have been encountered near the remnants of a derelict Victorian fernery, and it’s hard to say whether they’ve persisted here for decades or are the result of more recent introductions. Either way, three exotic species now appear to be growing wild in the Dene: Japanese Shield-fern Polystichum polyblepharum, Japanese Buckler-fernDryopteris erythrosora, and Western Sword-fernPolystichum munitum, each recorded from a single square (0.5%).
A fourth species, House Holly-fernCyrtomium falcatum is not found in the dene but instead, has been noted from the base of a sunny garden wall in Gosforth – clearly having spread from planted stock nearby.
And really, who doesn’t enjoy a touch of the exotic while botanising the big city?
And there we have it, a not-so-concise tour of the urban ferns recorded as part of the project so far. There’s a surprising number out there waiting to be discovered. With the conurbation’s woodlands now fairly thoroughly surveyed, I suspect the distributions of many woodland species will remain relatively stable by the time the project wraps up. That said, we may well see an uptick in species colonising walls and masonry, particularly as urban habitats are surveyed in more depth.
I can’t imagine there are too many more species left to uncover but given the exotics mentioned above, you never really know what might be lurking just around the corner, do you? Good job there are some handy resources out there…
Though it beggars belief, I am now four years into creating the first Urban Flora for Newcastle and North Tyne – a project that has consumed the vast majority of my free time of late with an ungodly amount of time spent combing the city to record the wild and naturalised plants that grow here. With the help of several other local botanists, things are now coming together quite quickly with only around 40 or so squares left to visit before we can call time on the recording stage of the project and move on to the all-important writing phase (gulp).
The process of piecing together this Flora has been nothing short of eye-opening. For one, it has been incredible to observe the sheer diversity of plant life thriving in the UK’s seventh-largest conurbation and now that we’re well into the ordeal, some fascinating trends are beginning to emerge. From the city’s most abundant species to its rarest, there’s a great deal to explore.
With that in mind, now seemed like as good a time as any for another urban update…
Some Headlines
In total, my fellow botanists and I have now recorded a whopping 1,042 species, subspecies, or hybrids growing in a wild or naturalised state across the 190 monads of conurbation from 2018-2025. This is far higher than I anticipated at the launch of the survey and makes for impressive reading when considered as a proportion of the British flora. Of these, around 52% are native species and 42% are neophytes (recent introductions). A further 6% are archaeophytes – species introduced in prehistory. The number of alien species in particular seems unusually high compared to other studies, but as you’ll soon see, there are likely a few reasons for this.
Astute readers may notice two small changes to my methodology this time around. First, the inclusion of records from 2018–2021. Given the sheer scale of the survey, this seemed like a practical decision. In practice, it equates to just 27 records per monad on average, with most focused on key sites such as Gosforth Nature Reserve. Second, the expansion of the survey area. While still somewhat limited, it was pointed out by several esteemed colleagues, that I may as well go the whole hog and cover the entire conurbation. So that’s exactly what I’ve done.
So far, about 200 of the recorded plants have been observed on just a single occasion, while the rest range from local rarities to common and widespread species found in most squares. Many of these one-off sightings are as expected either garden escapes or casual discards from cultivation. Freak occurrences, if you will. But interestingly, a good number of native species fall into this category too, including rarities such as Lesser Water-parsnip Berula erecta, Moschatel Adoxa moschatellina, and Frosted Orache Atriplex laciniata. It’s very much a mixed bag.
The overall average number of species recorded per square in the conurbation now sits at 135 – perhaps closer to 140 when you exclude partial squares dominated by neighbouring vice-counties or open water. That’s a little lower than I’d like, and it suggests that certain species are still being missed in some areas. For that reason, the remainder of this year – and possibly early 2026 – will be spent ‘topping up’ the less-visited squares.
One of the most surprising aspects of the survey so far is that, even after three years of intensive recording (including contributions from botanists dating back to 2018), new species continue to appear all the time. There are quite a few, in fact. Recent additions include a young Japanese Shield-fern Polystichum polyblepharum growing on a muddy ledge in Jesmond Dene, Yellow Oxeye Buphthalmum speciosum invading grassland at Big Waters, and Wall Persicaria Persicaria capitata colonising masonry in North Shields. Others include Yellow Nonea Nonea lutea on waste ground in Shieldfield, and Warty Barberry Berberis verruculosa seeding itself from historic plantings in Jesmond Dene.
Some interesting new natives have also come to light since my last update – proof that there are still surprises to be found across the conurbation. These include Great Yellow-cress Rorippa amphibia, Ivy-leaved Crowfoot Ranunculus hederaceus, and Blinks Montia fontana.
Clearly, there’s still plenty left to discover on urban Tyneside.
While the number of species recorded in the conurbation is notable – particularly the high proportion of neophytes – I’m not convinced that Newcastle is especially unique on a national scale. Were similar studies carried out in other urban areas of the UK, I suspect the results would be broadly comparable. That said, a few factors do appear to have an outsized impact on the plant diversity observed here. These include:
1. A wealth of industrial and reclaimed land with their associated disturbed and modified habitats Some of the most diverse sites in the area are those with a history of industrial activity. These landscapes, shaped by extraction, dumping, or redevelopment, have contributed many notable finds. Key examples include Dune Helleborine Epipactis dunensis and Common Wintergreen Pyrola minor.
2. The tidal nature of the River Tyne and remnants of coastal habitats Though perhaps less significant overall, the tidal stretch of the Tyne and small pockets of relic coastal habitat have introduced a range of halophytes that are absent from inland salted roads. Noteworthy species here include Prickly Saltwort Salsola kali, Sea-rocket Cakile maritima, Sea Couch Elymus athericus, and Sea Arrow-grass Triglochin maritima.
3. The persistence of other relic habitats in the urban landscape Despite their often degraded state, the conurbation’s older woodlands and fragmented heathland patches continue to support species typically absent from urban settings. Among them are Sanicle Sanicula europaea, Heath Rush Juncus squarrosus, and Common Cottongrass Eriophorum angustifolium.
4. The presence of Victorian-era wooded parks Several of the city’s older parks, particularly Jesmond Dene, were originally managed in a naturalistic style and now managed as semi-natural settings. Jesmond Dene alone accounts for many of the more unusual records to date and though largely overtaken by native vegetation, it still supports an impressive list of exotics persisting or in many cases, reproducing. These include Gagnepain’s Barberry Berberis gagnepainii, Blue Anemone Anemone apennina, Shallon Gaultheria shallon, and Autumn Fern Dryopteris erythrosora.
5. Bird seed aliens within the urban flora Less influential than the factors above but still noteworthy, at least 26 species recorded in the area are likely introductions via bird seed. This includes common escapees like Sunflower Helianthus annuus, as well as more surprising records such as Chia Salvia hispanica and Common Amaranth Amaranthus retroflexus.
Part of the fun of a project such as this is the opportunity to ‘chase down’ older recorders supplied by botanists in the area. Doing so has resulted in success in many instances but occasionally, the plant in question is not re-found. So far, around 40 plants have been listed as ‘missing’ from the conurbation.
Among these species are a few that were undoubtedly ephemeral in nature – Garden Anchuza Anchusa azurea and Winter Savory Satureja montana – while others have clearly been lost due to changes in the landscape. This appears to be the case for rarities in Deadly Nightshade Atropa belladonna, Ivy Broomrape Orobanche hederae and perhaps even Wood Millet Milium effusum which despite several searches, I cannot find in any of our older woods. A few more plants are more annoying in that they “should” be out there somewhere. I’m looking at you Grass Vetchling Lathyrus nissolia and Little Mouse-ear Cerastium semidecandrum.
Most Abundant Plants
As you might expect, over the course of the survey, certain plants have proven to be far more abundant across the conurbation than others. As is the case elsewhere in the UK, these tend to be adaptable generalists or species with clever strategies for seed dispersal.
Just for fun, the table below shows the twenty most frequently recorded species so far. I doubt there’ll be many surprises and suspect many of these will in fact occur in every square.
Species
Percentage Coverage
Annual Meadow-grass Poa annua
98.4%
Bramble Rubus fruticosus agg.
98.4%
Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus
97.4%
Daisy Bellis perennis
97.4%
Cock’s-foot Dactylis glomerata
97.4%
Ribwort Plantain Plantago lanceolata
96.8%
Nettle Urtica diocia
95.8%
Creeping Thistle Cirsium arvense
95.3%
Yarrow Achillea millefolium
95.8%
Broad-leaved Dock Rumex obtusifolius
94.7%
Smooth Sow-thistle Sonchus oleraceus
94.2%
Dandelion Taraxacum agg.
93.7%
Common Ragwort Jacobaea vulgaris
93.2%
Cleavers Galium aparine
92.6%
Cow Parsley Anthriscus sylvestris
93.7%
Groundsel Senecio vulgaris
90.5%
Wood Avens Geum urbanum
90.0%
Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna
90.0%
Elder Sambucus nigra
90.0%
Greater Plantain Plantago major
89.5%
Most Diverse Sites
Totting up the most diverse squares in the conurbation has been an interesting task. By large, the squares with the highest species diversity typically feature a wide range of habitats including large areas of relatively undeveloped land such as nature reserves or public parks.
The twelve squares with the greatest species diversity are listed below.
Name
Grid Ref
Species Count
Gosforth Nature Reserve
NZ2570
277
Lower Ouseburn Valley
NZ2664
276
Iris Brickfield
NZ2766
268
Heaton Park
NZ2665
260
Havannah (East)
NZ2271
257
Jesmond Dene
NZ2666
249
Scotswood Garden
NZ2064
232
Silverlink Park
NZ3170
245
Little Waters
NZ2373
240
Benwell
NZ2163
231
Leazes Park
NZ2464
221
Great Park (South)
NZ2270
218
Except for Gosforth Nature Reserve, which is predominantly natural in its composition, all of these squares contain a mix of relic natural or reclaimed land and urbanisation. Eleven out of twelve of these also contain wetland ecosystems of varying sizes, ranging from small ornamental ponds to lakes and minor rivers.
Plan of Attack
And there we have it – a brief update on the Urban Flora. We’re into the final stretch now, with surveying likely to wrap up by early 2026. Had others not joined in, I suspect I’d be at this much longer!
All that remains is to finish writing the darn thing and turn it into a book. With [very] little disposable income to fund this, I’ll need to be smart about how I go about it but I’ve got a few ideas for grants and free publishing avenues to follow up on in due course.
All that’s left is to say a massive thank you to everyone who’s helped so far whether directly, by sharing records or joining field visits, or indirectly through support and encouragement. There are many of you, and with support not always forthcoming from the places you might expect, your involvement has meant a great deal. Onwards…
Jesmond Dene, nestled just two miles northeast of Newcastle city centre, is a true gem. With the River Ouse Burn at its heart, this picturesque area has witnessed remarkable transformations over the centuries. What began as a stretch of natural woodland evolved into an industrial hub, dotted with mills, before transitioning into a Victorian pleasure ground. Today, it stands as a cherished public park. While the dene’s history is rich and multifaceted—a story explored in depth elsewhere—it is its stint as a private estate that intrigues this curious botanist most of all.
Strolling through the overgrown dene today, one can’t help but marvel at the sheer diversity of plant life thriving here. Native woodland species, exotic ornamentals, garden escapes, and beloved Victorian classics all grow in abundance and truth be told, it is quite the puzzle to unravel how and when many of these fascinating botanicals arrived. In this post, we’ll attempt to do just that—exploring some of Jesmond Dene’s hidden botanical treasures and, at times speculatively, attempting to trace their origins. Let’s dive in…
While best known for his renowned residence at Cragside, Sir William George Armstrong (1810–1900) also left an indelible mark on Newcastle through his landscaping and development of Jesmond Dene. Born in Shieldfield, Newcastle, and originally trained as a solicitor, Armstrong married Margaret Ramshaw (1807–1893) of Bishop Auckland, County Durham, in 1835. That same year, the couple built their home, Jesmond Dean, on a small portion of land that would later become part of the larger dene.
Over the following decades, particularly in the 1850s, Armstrong and his wife purchased large tracts of neighbouring land, gradually transforming the dene into a meticulously landscaped parkland. Armstrong’s alterations were ambitious and wide-ranging. Fascinated by water, he reshaped the River Ouse Burn by adding waterfalls, islands, and bridges, many of which remain iconic features of the area today. He also introduced a network of footpaths, still enjoyed by modern day walkers.
Equally significant, though perhaps less obvious, was his transformation of the dene’s flora. Armstrong imported plants from across the globe, enriching the landscape with exotic species and curious varieties, in doing so, greatly altering the park’s character.
Armstrong’s passion for plants was well-documented, and, in keeping with the times, many of the species he introduced to his ‘woodland garden’ reflected the trends of Victorian landscaping. Rhododendrons (Rhododendron ponticum) were a particularly popular choice, as was Aucuba (Aucuba japonica), along with an array of exotic trees. Some of these, including impressive specimens of Wellingtonia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) and Japanese Red Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica), still stand tall today. Look closer, and you’ll also find several unusual oaks, such as the Red Oak (Quercus rubra) and Lebanon Oak (Quercus libani). However, while these relics are striking, they are not the focus of this post.
In 1883, Lord Armstrong gifted the main area of Jesmond Dene to the Corporation of Newcastle upon Tyne for the benefit of its citizens. The following year, in 1884, the park was officially opened by the Prince and Princess of Wales. Since then, little has changed. Jesmond Dene remains well-used by locals but, aside from essential maintenance and a few successive introductions of equally unusual plants, it has been largely untended for over a century, allowing nature to reclaim much of the space – the very reason it is so difficult to tell new introductions from older ones!
Today, while still officially recognisd as a park, Jesmond Dene resembles more of a semi-natural urban woodland. It supports many species typical of ancient semi-natural woodlands, such as Wood Anemone (Anemone nemorosa) and Ramsons (Allium ursinum) and its canopy is dominated by native trees, including English Oak (Quercus robur), Wych Elm (Ulmus glabra) and Ash (Fraxinus excelsior). This façade of naturalness is so extensive that parts of the dene appear entirely wild. Yet, while many of the landscaped features remain— complete with their exotic introductions —much of Lord Armstrong’s original planting seems to have been lost to time. Or has it?
Over recent years, while exploring Jesmond Dene, I have stumbled across several remnants of its past life as a naturalistic garden — often in the most unexpected places. While some species have undoubtedly been lost, much still remains for those who know where to look. Though not strictly “wild” (although one could argue that any species persisting or spreading for over a century has earned that distinction), these exotic plants add an intriguing layer of interest to what is already the crown jewel of Newcastle’s green spaces.
In what will likely become a rather lengthy blog, I wanted to highlight some of these botanical relics…
The Exotic Plants of Jesmond Dene
Before going any further, please do take a look at this superb account published account on the History of Jesmond Dene. With mention of many of the plants introduced during Victorian times, this will form the basis for several of today’s assumptions.
Shrubs in Jesmond Dene
Perhaps the most obvious aspect of Armstrong’s legacy is the assortment of exotic trees scattered throughout Jesmond Dene and the neighbouring Armstrong Park. While undeniably fascinating, these trees are rather conspicuous and not the focus of this blog (though I have written about some of them previously here).
Far less prominent are the shrubs introduced as understory plants and hedging. Several exotic species, such as Rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum), Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus), and Himalayan Honeysuckle (Leycesteria formosa), are widespread — so much so that it’s nearly impossible to miss them. Others, like Aucuba (Aucuba japonica), which forms large stands around Pet’s Corner and in Armstrong Park, and both Wilson’s Honeysuckle (Lonicera nitida) and Box-leaved Honeysuckle (Lonicera pileata), are easier to spot if you know where to look.
Even more intriguing are those shrubs that have blended seamlessly with the naturally occurring vegetation. Take the Berberis family for example — a spiny set of shrubs typically originating from Asia or South America. In a summary of plants recorded in Jesmond Dene in 1894, only two species are mentioned: Oregon-grape (Berberis aquifolium) and Darwin’s Barberry (Berberis darwinii), the latter, of course, named in honour of Charles Darwin.
While the original plantings of Oregon-grape appear to have disappeared, the species is still very much present in the Dene today and seedlings can readily be found in several parts. Whether these stem from Armstrong’s introductions, or more recent plantings in the 1980’s and 90’s remains to be seen. Darwin’s Barberry persists in several locations too, most notably near Castle Farm Road. Beyond these, other Berberis species seem to have quietly flown under the radar. For instance, several stands of the attractive Chinese Barberry (Berberis julianae) can be found, especially near the entrance to Armstrong Park, while Common Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) has been noted in the upper reaches of the dene. The origins of both are hazy at best.
More recently, specimens of Gagnepain’s Barberry (Berberis gagnepainii) were observed near the quarry (rail.hired.silks) where one can also find some nice examples of Warty Barberry (Berberis verruculosa), both plants absent from early records. Both of these seem to be later introductions by park custodians. The same can also be said for the fragrant Christmas Box (Sarcococca confusa) growing nearby – not a Berberis but a nice plant nonetheless.
Other groups of plants mentioned in early accounts of Jesmond Dene include Hawthorns and Cotoneasters. Starting with the Hawthorns, the 1894 plant list references Crataegus oxycantha — a now obsolete name that broadly encompassed both Common Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) and Midland Hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata). While plenty of native Common Hawthorn thrives throughout the dene, visitors can still find examples of Midland Hawthorn hidden in plain sight, particularly in the grotto and along Red Walk. Though they appear quite similar to the untrained eye, these Midland Hawthorns were surely part of Armstrong’s original introductions.
But what about the Cotoneasters? Given their ability to spread independently, several species found in Jesmond Dene may have colonised the area more recently. Among these are Willow-leaved Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster salicifolius) and Himalayan Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster simonsii). Far more intriguing, however, is the presence of Purple-flowered Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster atropurpureus), observed growing within the riverside masonry along Red Walk. This species has not been recorded elsewhere in the region, and given its apparent age, it may well originate from original plantings in the dene.
Jesmond Dene is home to many other exotic shrubs, nestled discreetly within the landscape. Among the more striking species are Yellow Azalea (Rhododendron luteum), hidden in the thickets west of Paddy Freeman’s Park (punchy.wins.usage), and Wrinkled Viburnum (Viburnum rhytidophyllum), found nearby at stuck.lamp.soak. The former is mentioned in early accounts, while older examples of the latter must surely stem from Armstrong’s day. Recent records also suggest the presence of the related Laurustinus (Viburnum tinus), though, alas, I have yet to locate it myself.
Three other shrubs I have observed, however, are Juneberry (Amelanchier spp.), Asian Firethorn (Pyracantha rogersiana) and Shallon (Gaultheria shallon). Interestingly, the latter has become a problematic invasive species at Armstrong’s other residence at Cragside. In Jesmond Dene, you can find Shallon uphill from solo.shack.feels. Along Red Walk, you may also spot examples of Weigela (Weigela florida), Mock Orange (Philadelphus coronarius), and Rose-of-Sharon (Hypericum calycinum), all of which have presumably stood the test of time. All three are mentioned in that historic account of the denes flora.
Whilst not strictly a shrub (though large than most) also worth a look on your next walk along the Ouse Burn are the large stands of bamboo. The most impressive sit in Armstrong Park and after much mind-changing, I think these could be Arrow Bamboo (Pseudosasa japonica). This would fit with the initial planting plan.
Three final species worth mentioning are all Rubus species, or brambles. First, across the Ouse Burn from Pet’s Corner, a spring visit may reward visitors with the striking pink blooms of Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis), a North American species that is now happily naturalising at colleague.darker.pines, or thereabouts. This was a popular plant in Victorian times and in the North East, appears most frequently in the grounds of older stately homes.
At several points in the dene, you can also spot sprawling patches of Chinese Bramble (Rubus tricolor), a species long favored in landscaping. Given Armstrong’s fondness for oriental plants, this may date back to Victorian times. Finally, at mercy.lend.spray, you will find a long-neglected garden completely overtaken by White-stemmed Bramble (Rubus cockburnianus), a particularly attractive species endemic to China. Given the vast area it occupies, it’s clear that this bramble has been established for quite some time but for how long exactly, I am unsure.
Of course, when planting a whole host of trees and shrubs, you need something pretty to sit under them. The Armstrong’s planted many such things including several Gentians, Heaths and orchids now lost to time. That said, if anyone stumbles across a Lady’s-slipper Orchid, please let me know – supposedly these too were introduced on mass!
What remains today of Armstrong’s planted groundcover largely consists of tenacious, hardy species. Throughout the dene, you’ll encounter both Greater Periwinkle (Vinca major) and Lesser Periwinkle (Vinca minor) in various areas, as well as Atlantic Ivy (Hedera hibernica) and Persian Ivy (Hedera colchica) adorning the woodland floor in several spots. It’s perhaps unsurprising that these species have persisted, but look closer, and you’ll also find surprises.
One such surprise is a sprawling colony of Abraham-Isaac-Jacob (Trachystemon orientalis) at slot.puff.stale. This unusual plant, native to Bulgaria and surrounding regions, is well-established in the dene and must surely have been introduced as a botanical curiosity. It is no longer common in cultivation today and would be a very odd choice indeed for modern park keepers given its tendency to overtake neighbouring areas.
Similarly, while walking along Red Walk, it’s possible to see several Asiatic plants growing amid tangles of brambles and other native weeds. Rodgersia (Rodgersia podophylla) is present here, as is Japanese Astilbe (Astilbe japonica), while in some areas, particularly on some of the higher more remote slopes, stands of Carpet-box (Pachysandra terminalis) can also be observed. The isolation of these sporadic plants, far from tended beds, suggests that they too could have been present here for quite some time. Conversations with park custodians seem to support this idea though it is difficult to know for certain given the successive plantings undertaken over the years.
The above curiosities are not the only ones worth mentioning. By the stepping stones at face.edgy.sticky, a glance at the sodden, moss-covered banks of the Ouse Burn should reveal another fascinating plant: Kidney Saxifrage (Saxifraga hirsuta). This perennial thrives in high humidity and is typically found in damp, shaded environments such as woods, ravines, and north-facing cliffs. It was likely introduced as a rockery plant and has since established itself in several areas of the dene, alongside another similar species, Londonpride (Saxifraga × urbium). Interestingly, an intermediate form of the two species also exists in the dene and may represent a hybrid—a subject worth investigating in the future.
Another species present in the dene, Fringecups (Tellima grandiflora), would also fit with this style of Victorian planting but is now so well naturalised in parts of our region that tracing its origin becomes incredibly challenging.
Last, but by no means least, Jesmond Dene’s ferns deserve mention. The dene hosts several native species, including Hard Fern (Blechnum spicant) and Lady-fern (Athyrium filix-femina), but it also features introduced varieties. At the site of an old fernery, presumably created by the Armstrong’s, nature has reclaimed much of the area, yet the wider area still holds intriguing plants like Copper Shield-fern (Dryopteris erythrosora). Whether this species is an descendant of original plantings or of something planted more recently is impossible to assess. It is a pretty one though and I’d like to think it may have stood the test of time.
Elsewhere in the dene, you’ll notice many examples of Soft Shield-fern (Polystichum setiferum). While this species is native to southern parts of the UK, in the North it generally appears as an introduced plant. Interestingly, it is one of the few ferns specifically mentioned in Armstrong’s original planting plans. Over the years, it has gone on to colonise many parts of the dene.
Spring Bulbs
Another rather charming group of plants worth mentioning are the spring bulbs, valued today just as they were in Victorian times for their colorful early-season displays. While records are sparse regarding exactly what was introduced to the dene during Armstrong’s time, early accounts do mention “squills, crocuses, and similar plants,” which were added for their visual appeal. Some of these plantings still persist today.
At cycle.erase.calm, or nearby, a stroll later in the year should reveal some attractive stands of Autumn Crocus (Colchicum autumnale), while a springtime visit will uncover patches of Green Snowdrop (Galanthus woronowii) now well at home in the woodland. In various parts of the dene, Spring Crocus (Crocus vernus) and Early Crocus (Crocus tommasinianus) can also be found. The most impressive colony of the latter grows near the entrance to Armstrong Park, where the species appears to have become well-established.
Scattered patches of Common Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) and Greater Snowdrop (Galanthus elwesii) too may also trace their origins to the dene’s Victorian plantings but we cannot know for sure.
The squills mentioned in those early accounts have all but disappeared, with one notable exception: a small population of Siberian Squill (Scilla siberica) in Armstrong Park. Its vivid blue flowers make for a striking and unusual sight amidst the site’s native woodland flora. Records from 2003 also note the presence of this species in the northern part of the dene.
Two more striking species are also worth highlighting. At video.stole.counts, visitors can find a small population of Dog’s-tooth Violet (Erythronium dens-canis). First recorded here in 2004 (although known about for much longer), its origins remain unclear, though it could be remnant of the park’s early tenure as a garden. Not far away, at being.many.horns, scattered examples of Blue Anemone (Anemone blanda) grow alongside our native Wood Anemone (Anemone nemorosa). The positioning of both species suggests they are not recent additions but rather remnants of historical plantings, perhaps in Armstrong’s day, perhaps more recently.
And there we have it—a tour of Jesmond Dene’s exotic plant life. In truth, aside from the rhododendrons, laurels, yews, and bamboos, it is difficult to say with certainty whether any of the fascinating exotics present in the dene can definitively be traced back to Lord Armstrong. I’d have loved to offer a more conclusive answer, but then again, who doesn’t enjoy a good mystery?
One thing is certain, however: Jesmond Dene is entirely unique on a local level. It is part woodland, showcasing countless examples of our native flora, and part garden, adorned with an array of exotic plants. This rare blend makes it an endlessly intriguing place to explore, and I sincerely hope it continues to be maintained in this spirit for generations to come.
Finally, it’s worth noting that new discoveries are still being made in the dene—or, at the very least, old treasures are being rediscovered. So don’t be surprised if, on your next walk, you stumble across something altogether unexpected, quietly tucked away in a thicket.
As is customary at year’s end, much of my time over the last week was spent darting about the local area plant hunting as part of the BSBI’s New Year Plant Hunt. Now in its fourteenth year, this fantastic citizen science project not only provides valuable data about how our flora is coping in the face of changing weather patterns but also provides the perfect excuse to head out botanising at time when most people simply wouldn’t.
With one solo hunt under my belt and two fantastic group events led for BSBI and Natural History Society of Northumbria members, now seemed like a good time to recap what has been an incredibly productive couple of days.
North Shields
Saving the routine NYPH routes for the upcoming group walks, on 29 December I thought I would head somewhere different, opting for a short metro journey to North Shields for a poke about the various industrial plots fringing the Tyne in its final stages. I’m glad I did with no less than 55 species recorded in flower – a high total for the chilly North East in late December.
Many of the plants seen were those you would expect in winter, among these ubiquitous species such as Daisy (Bellis perennis), Dandelion (Taraxacum agg), Ivy (Hedera helix) and Gorse (Ulex europeaus). The commonplace aliens put on a good show too with Oxford Ragwort (Senecio squalidus) blooming in pavement cracks, Canadian Fleabane (Erigeron canadensis) about neglected gardens and Water Bent (Polypogon viridis) along the margins of several main roads. There were, however, more unexpected finds to be had too. For example, a south-facing bank in the centre of town produced an unusual double act of Viper’s-bugloss (Echium vulgare) and White Campion (Silene latifolia), the former typically a plant of mid-summer, and the grassland abutting Meadow Well metro station a very early example of Cowslip (Primula veris).
The ponds in North Shield’s ‘Linear Park’ also proved worth a gander with both Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris) and Monkeyflower (Erythranthe guttata) hanging on and later in the survey, Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa subsp. sylvestris) was encountered on an area of derelict land at Royal Quays. A good start I’d say…
On 30 December, the time came for the first of this year’s group hunts and meeting with NHSN members in the east of Newcastle, we set about exploring a wide range of habitats including cycleways, ballast hills, marina pavements and even the unceremonious outskirts of the local tip. All proved fruitful with 59 species noted in bloom.
The common and familiar plants once again dominated proceedings but here too there were plenty of interesting discoveries. Around the industrial units, Narrow-leaved Ragwort (Senecio inaequidens) and Guernsey Fleabane (Erigeron sumatrensis) proved plentiful and a stretch of verge outside the tip held blooming Field Madder (Sherardia arvensis), Medium-flowered Winter-cress (Barbarea intermedia) and Green Field-speedwell (Veronica agrestis). Nearby, the margins of Hadrian’s Cycleway held Balkan Spurge (Euphorbia oblongata) and Atlantic Ivy (Hedera hibernica) and around nearby residences, Pale Pink-sorrel (Oxalis incarnata) and Eastern Rocket (Sisymbrium orientale) were still going strong.
Perhaps the greatest surprise of the day came in the form of a solitary example of Broad-leaved Willowherb (Epilobium montanum) blooming in a sheltered spot at the base of a garden wall. This is a species typically encountered in flower during July and August, and a very queer sight during the winter months.
Examining Narrow-leaved RagwortWhat a great groupMandatory group shotWild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa subsp. sylvestris)Broad-leaved Willowherb (Epilobium montanum)Field Madder (Sherardia arvensisDwarf Gorse (Ulex minor)Garden Pansy (Viola x wittrockiana)Hoary Mustard (Hirschfeldia incana)Narrow-leaved Ragwort (Senecio inaequidens)
Heaton
On 1 January, the time came for a re-run of a NYPH route surveyed in most of the last five years. Taking to the streets of Heaton with a wonderful group in toe (including the fab Charlotte Rankin), pickings were somewhat slimmer with 43 species observed. Here, a mosey around a nearby park provided Hazel (Corylus avellana) and some delightfully neglected gardens a suite of more unusual species in Barren Brome (Anisantha sterilis), Mind-your-own-business (Soleirolia soleirolii) and Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus).
In Heaton Park, both Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) and Early Crocus (Crocus tommasinianus) put in an appearance, the former almost a month earlier than in 2024, and Wavy Bitter-cress (Cardamine flexuosa) was a nice find from a member of the group nestled amid flowering patches of the far commoner (at least in urban settings) Hairy Bitter-cress (Cardamine hirsuta).
Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis)Oxford Ragwort (Senecio squalidus)Early Crocus (Crocus tommasinianus)Looking for Hazel flowersWhat a fantastic bunch of botanists
It has become a bit of a tradition on this blog to share a round-up of the previous year’s highlights, discoveries and memorable moments. Indeed, it is always nice to look back and reflect, and nicer still to revisit similar posts from 2015 onwards (even if I do cringe a bit at my writing back then). As 2024 draws to a close, lets go again with some highlights of the past 12 months, both here on Common by Nature and across the wider North East.
As ever, a massive thank you to the friends, colleagues, naturalists and likeminded locals who have helped make 2024 another enjoyable and productive year. The natural history community is a thing of beauty and I am so very grateful for the advice, support and nuggets of wisdom offered once again!
Recording the Urban Flora
This one won’t surprise you – I’ve harped on about urban plants several times on this blog in 2024 [try here and here]. As many of you know, the vast majority of my time outside of work this year has been spend recording and writing an Urban Flora for Newcastle and North Tyneside – something I hope to finally bring to fruition in 2025.
This year alone, I have visited over 100 monads in the city, logged some 17,000 plant records and noted no less than 800 species growing in a wild and naturalised state among the terraces, alleyways and brownfield plots of Tyneside. Still, after several years of recording, it never ceases to amaze me just how diverse our cities actually are. From relic native plants such as Lesser Water-parsnip thriving in an urban burn and Autumn Gentian colonising a former spoil heap to hardy invaders, there is ever so much to see. Indeed, the total count for the survey area now stands at 1,020 species – that’s a fair chunk of the British flora!
A project like this would not be possible without the support of others so a huge thank you to everyone who has shared a record on iRecord this year. Particularly to Chris Barlow and James Bowyer for their helpful surveys.
Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)Traveller’s-joy (Clematis vitalba)Great Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)Garden Pansy (Viola x wittrockiana)Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus)
Special Places
The same places crop up time and time again in these roundups; though that is not necessarily a bad thing. We all have our favourites and for me, 2024 provided opportunities to gain a deeper understanding of the the two that matter most to me: Lindisfarne and Upper Teesdale.
I have visited Lindisfarne on no less than seven occasions this year, alone, with friends, with groups, you name it. Still, there has been an awful lot of of new spectacles to enjoy. Inspired by the Metherell’s superb book, Small Adder’s-tongue (Ophioglossum azoricum) finally revealed itself and at last, I made time to seek out the vice-county’s only example of Common Sea-lavender (Limonium vulgare). Add to that my first encounter with the island’s Coralroot Orchids (Corallorhiza trifida) and record counts of Frog Orchid (Dactylorhiza viridis) and you have the makings of a very happy botanist.
Teesdale too has been a enjoy, with careful scouring finally revealing Moonwort (Botrychium lunaria) and Shady Horsetail (Equisetum pratense). Of course, fantastic displays of Spring Gentians (Gentiana verna) were not to be scoffed at too.
Away from these places, there have been exciting excursions to Hadrian’s Wall in search of Waxcaps, Hareshaw Linn for ferns, and many, many more wonderful outings. I have been spoiled.
If there is one part of my ‘day job’ I love best, it is the opportunity to get out and about sharing natural history with others. This year, I have had the pleasure of leading some 80 sessions across the North East, visiting some wonderful places with many inspiring people.
The highlight this year has definitely been the education courses, including my new ‘Botanist’s Year’ programme delivered for NHSN which saw almost 20 visits to botanical hotspots across the region and covered everything from snowdrops and cotoneasters to willowherbs and pesky yellow composites. I am not sure about the attendees, but I had a blast. Add to this our 200 Plants and Counting Course, returning Urban Botany course and standalone sessions on grasses, trees and even a few insects, and 2024 has been a pretty productive year. I definitely feel more confident in this regard – had you known me a few years past, you would know this hasn’t always been the case.
Closer to home, NHSN’s super Gosforth’s Wild Web project has meant plenty of walks, talks and ID sessions in urban parts of Newcastle. I’ve particularly enjoyed spending time with the Friends of Hebburn Riverside Park and several bioblitzes held in Newcastle’s city parks. Truly, there is no such thing as a dull day at the office…
The BSBI New Year Plant Hunt back in JanuarySearching for Sea Spleenwort at HowickFerns at Hareshaw LinnBotany (and litter picking) in ShieldfieldSearching for fungi at HebburnFerns at Upper Teesdale
interesting Plants
As you might expect, most of this year’s interesting discoveries have taken place in and around the city. Still, there have been several and some of them at least were rather notable. Rummaging this year has revealed a good few ‘county firsts’ in the form of Egyptian Clover (Trifolium alexandrinum), Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), Chia (Salvia hispanica), Lawn Lobelia (Pratia angulata), False Buck’s-beard (Astilbe japonica) and several more.
Away from the dodgy aliens, it was exciting to note Lesser Water-parsnip (Berula erecta) at Seaton Burn, a plant once thought extinct in VC67, and new populations of Rare Plant Register and local scarcities such as Autumn Gentian (Gentianella amarella), Common Wintergreen (Pyrola minor), and Rustyback (Asplenium ceterach).
All of this goes without mentioning the botanical ‘twitches’ that have taken place in 2024. Especially memorable are encounters with Lady Claremont’s Spleenwort (Asplenium x clermontiae) and Lobed Maidenhair Spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes subsp. pachyrachis) but there have been many.
This blog has changed much since it launched in 2011. Where once it was a journal of sorts it has now become a repository for any random thought that pops into my head – identification sheets, project updates, trip reports, exciting finds, you name it. My writing here had waned somewhat over recent years but this year, it seems to have made somewhat of a resurgence. Mainly because a good few people keep reading it!
Though it beggars belief, this year, Common By Nature has been visited some 42,000 times (a 200% increase on last year) by around 34,000 individual visitors. While it is true that I have put a little more effort in, I am not entirely sure what has caused this. I still giggle that a post I published in 2022 on ‘The Best Plant ID Apps‘ continues to draw in around 100 readers per day.
I guess what I am trying to say is thank you for reading!
As someone with ASD, I confess that I am prone to heading down rabbit holes from time to time. Usually, these forays last for a few weeks before dissipating, never to emerge again. Recently however, a few of these deep dives appear to be sticking and may even become a key focus in the future.
On a light note, one of these ‘fads’ seems to have become snowdrops! Besides an obligatory glance each spring, these plants seldom got a look in before but now, seem to have become somewhat of a seasonal obsession. So much so that our tiny yarden in Heaton is now home over a dozen species and several more cultivars won in hard fought eBay auctions. This has since resulted in a great many hours spent combing the wider countryside in search of new or unrecorded species and in some cases, unique varieties. Just look at the wonderful yellow one below…
On a more serious [and far more stressful] note, I seem to have also stuck with Cotoneasters. Why, I am not sure, likely my husband would prefer it if I hadn’t given how many weekends this year have been spent searching for and identifying them – sometimes successfully. Regardless, I do love them and recently shared a concise atlas for the species found growing wild on Tyneside.
Rumour has it I’ll also be talking about them to BSBI members in a few months time…
Hollyberry Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster bullatus)Galanthus nivalis group ‘Sandersii’Exploring snowdrops in a Northumbrian churchyard
Looking Ahead
It is always nice to set a few resolutions for the New Year, and to publish them here so i can be held accountable when inevitably, some of them fail to come to fruition. That said, in 2025 I do have a few aspirations…
Finish the urban flora! With around 50 ‘top up’ surveys still to complete, much of next year will be spent exploring our urban plants. I do, however, hope to wrap up the project in 2025, finish writing and hopefully, find a publisher willing to print such a thing. If any readers have any ideas in this regard, I’d love to hear from you…
More, more, more! I’ve already mentioned how much I love getting out there [in good company] to explore our region’s wildlife. In 2025, I am excited to launch several new courses as part of my role with NHSN. So far, new additions included standalone sessions on willowherbs and trees, a new grasses courses taking place over four instalments, and even a programme dedicated to wetland plants. That should keep me busy. I’m also excited to lead a wee holiday for the fabulous Greenwings.
Possibly a FISC. For the last few years, I’ve been interested in putting my botanical skills to the test and taking a FISC exam with the BSBI. Next year I might just do this, we’ll see.
Rediscovering insects. Aside from ladybirds, my interest in insects has waned a little in recent years, thanks largely to a core focus on botany. Next year, however, I am keen to do both and have resolved to dust off the moth trap and sweep net and start recording invertebrates once again. So far, contenders for this insect moths, hoverflies and bees.
Write more! Given this blogs slight resurgence this year, next year I want to dedicate much more time to sharing content on Common by Nature. What format that will take, I am unsure, but should time allow, you can expect much more in 2025. I’ll also be focusing attention on my new BlueSky account if anyone would like to join me on there…
I have a special fondness for cotoneasters, though I’m not entirely sure why. Perhaps it’s because they offer something of interest in every season, or simply because they don’t receive as much attention as other plant groups. Either way, I seem to spend a fair amount of time writing about them on this blog, and longer still roaming the city, taking samples and vexing myself over their identification.
Cotoneasters are often considered one of the “trickier” plant groups to identify, and, as a result, are under-recorded across much of the UK, including here in Tyneside. Yet, they are fast becoming a notable part of our urban flora, and their diversity makes them deserving of more focused attention. Particularly given the fact that some species – including C. horizontalis and C. microphyllus – show a tendency to become invasive under specific circumstances.
This brief “cotoneaster guide” aims to highlight the distribution and diversity of the cotoneaster species found in Newcastle and North Tyneside. It is not an exhaustive list —there are undoubtedly more species out there waiting to be discovered— but it aims to provide information on localised distributions for interested botanists, whether local or farther afield.
Within this PDF, you’ll find maps, identification tips, and general habitat observations. However, this should not be considered a full “guide.” For that, I recommend Cotoneasters: A Comprehensive Guide to Shrubs for Flowers, Fruit, and Foliage by Fryer and Hylmö (2009), which remains the best resource on this group. Other fantastic resources, likely to be of help to botanists, include The Alien Plants of Belgium and of course, Stace’s New Flora of the British Isles.
If you’d like to share a Cotoneaster record, feel free to email me at jamesmcommon@gmail.com or add your sighting to iRecord, where it will be picked up by a local vice-county recorder.
With several apps out there to choose from, just where do you turn when trying to identify a troublesome insect?
My previous post focusing on the best plant identification apps has quickly turned into one of my highest preforming blogs ever with some 15,500 views to date. It seems that has technology improves, and mobile apps become a permanent part of the naturalist’s arsenal, there is a growing desire to find the best digital assistant for wildlife recording on the go. Cue a new post!
Photo-based apps are growing in popularity across all wildlife groups and despite some turning their noses up at the idea, they are here to stay and have the possibility to engage and encourage an incredibly diverse audience. From teachers and students to citizen scientists and even, dare I say it, established naturalists, many are turning to apps to identify puzzling finds, confirm their identifications and corroborate identifications made using field guides. Moreover, technology is developing all of the time meaning apps previous dismissed as inaccurate are growing ever more reliable.
Apps associated with plants and birds are fairly commonplace and many people use them, but less discussed is the possibility of using apps to identify insects – perhaps the most diverse and tricky group of all. Despite the challenges of insect identification, there are several apps out there designed to demystify the process. In this post, I thought I would run a little experiment comparing some of the most popular…
First, some ground rules
One image only – some apps allow for multiple images but we’ll not be doing that here
Decent(ish) images – Poor quality images, lacking key features, pose problems for even the best apps (and naturalists!)
Verified species – apps will be tested only on species with a confirmed ID courtesy of an expert verifier
Native species only – I wanted to test this on insects likely to be encountered in the UK.
While some of these are easier than others, I have resisted the urge to include extremely common and familiar species which most apps will surely get right. Instead, the range of insect groups included should hopefully put our candidate apps to the test.
Apps that identify the insect as their first choice will receive 1 point. If the correct insect is identified but shown as an outlying choice, we’ll deduct points for each subsequent tier. For example, Larch Ladybird coming in as the 4th most likely option would early 0.6 points. I may give extra points in some places if the apps manage to impress me…
Oak Bush-cricket
Brown China-mark
Patchwork Leafcutter Bee
Platycheirus rosarum
Riponnensia splendens
Larch Ladybird
Capsus ater
Score (0-6)
ObsIdentify
✔ 1
✔1
✔ 0.9
✔ 1
✔ 1
✔ 1
✔ 1
6.9/7
Seek
✖
✔1
✖ 0.2 (It did get the family!)
✖
✖
✖
✖
0.2/7
Picture Insect
✔ 1
✔ 1
✔ 1
✔1
✖
✔ 1
✔ 1
6/7
Google Lens
✔ 1
✔ 1
✖ 0.2 (again, it got the family)
✖ 0.2
✖
✖ 0.2 (points for ‘ladybird’)
✖
2.6/7
ObsIdentify vs Picture Insect
And so we have our winner, or at least winners. Both ObsIdentify and Picture Insect performed extremely well during the first test and truth be told, there isn’t much between them. Let’s try them on a few more insects…
For this, we’ll trial the apps on the lovely Green Long-horn (Adela reaumurella), another true bug, Calocoris roseomaculatus, and the tiny Meadow Ladybird (Rhyzobius litura). A reasonably testing bunch!
Green Long-horn (Adela reaumurella)Calocoris roseomaculatusMeadow Ladybird (Rhyzobius litura)
Green Long-horn
Calocoris roseomaculatus
Meadow Ladybird
Score (0-6)
ObsIdentify
✔1
✔ 0.9
✔ 0.9
2.8/3
Picture Insect
✔1
✖ 0.2 (it brought up a very similar species)
✖ 0.2 (again, a similar species but failed to mention this one)
1.4/3
ObsIdentify (9.7/10)
Hands down the best app for insect identification
ObsIdentify performed extremely well across all insect groups and must be considered the ‘go to’ app for identifying insects. Based on the positive reviews shared elsewhere, it is perhaps unsurprising that it identified the easier Oak Bush-cricket and Brown China-mark correctly, but it surprised by accurately ID’ing the two hoverflies. Hoverfly identification can often be an arduous affair so extra brownie points here.
Of the points 0.3 points deducted in total, on all occasions this was due to a separate but similar species being put forward as its primary identification. However, in all three cases, the true species was listed in second place which at least allows users to quickly compare species and reach a judgment for themselves.
On a more practical note, ObsIdentify is very user-friendly and provides no end of handy information that some users might find interesting. It also works on more than just insects and overall, is a well-rounded and very helpful app. Top marks!
Impressive 100% confirmation of Platycheirus rosarum but do excuse the difference in namesObsIdentfy had no trouble at all with Larch Ladybird
Picture Insect (7.4/10)
Another good choice for insect enthusiasts but jut falling short
Picture Insect is a perfectly sound app and performs better than most. In the first round of testing, it excelled with the more familiar species and resulted in correct identifications when presented with more challenging species, particularly Capsus ater and Platycheirus rosarum. Both of these proved too much for apps further down the list.
A solid choice for second place, the app only fell short at the last hurdle, failing to identify Calocoris roseomaculatus and Meadow Ladybird very nearly nailed by ObsIdentify. Indeed, neither species were shown in the four available suggestions shown by Picture Insect, but it did at least put us in the right ball park.
While a good choice for use on common and familiar species, I did find the app somewhat annoying on account of the frequent pop-ups prompting paid subscription. The interface is also a little more complex that our winning option.
Correct identification of Brown China-markA wrong identification provided by Picture Insect in place of Riponnensia splendens
Google Lens (2.6/7)
This one ought to do better…
Google Lens is perhaps the most widely used app on this list, with a great many people using it for everything from foodstuffs to wildlife. Given the infrastructure behind it, it ought to have outperformed some of the less well-resourced apps but alas, failed at almost every hurdle.
Points were awarded for its success in identifying Oak Bush-cricket and Brown China-mark but beyond these, it succeeded only in correctly identifying several species to family level. If, like me, you like to know specifics, it probably isn’t for you.
Seek (1.1/7)
Not again iNaturalist…
When it comes to purpose-built wildlife identification apps, Seek by iNaturalist is perhaps the most widely known (and used) of all. Indeed, I frequently encounter students using the app at the recommendation of their lecturers and have chanced upon a fair number of naturalists using it the field. They shouldn’t bother.
Oh iNaturalist, what went wrong yet again? If you read my previous post on plant ID apps, you’ll know that Seek came almost last. It performed almost as negatively this time, succeeding only with the Brown China-mark. This is somewhat troubling given its widespread use and ties with what is fast becoming the most widespread biological recording app in the UK. Yikes.
I would avoid Seek save for its use in positive environmental engagement. Like iNaturalist who developed it, it makes wildlife recording fun and would be a great choice for weekend walks with the kids if little else.
Inspired by ongoing efforts to record the urban flora of Newcastle and North Tyneside, I wanted to make some of what has been discovered so far accessible to those interested in exploring the city for themselves.
These blogs will explore some of the best botanical walks the conurbation has to offer – perfect for planning your next outing in the urban jungle. Here, we’ll explore the up and coming Lower Ouse Burn Valley with its industrial relics and eclectic urban flora.
The Lower Ouseburn Valley lies on the edge of Newcastle City Centre. Once one of the city’s first industrial suburbs, this area was shaped by the coal, glass, and pottery industries that once dominated the banks of the Ouse Burn. Its role as an industrial hub persisted until the mid-19th century, when many buildings began to fall into dereliction. Today, it features an intriguing mix of planted amenity woodland, urban shrubberies, brownfield sites, residential areas, ruderal land, and grassland.
Your walk begins at the Cycle Hub at global.takes.blocks. From here, head west along Cycle Route 72, pausing to enjoy the uncommon pavement plants along the route. Eastern Rocket (Sisymbrium orientale) is frequent in this area, along with Water Bent (Polypogon viridis), Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa subsp. sylvestris), and halophytes such as Danish Scurvygrass (Cochlearia danica). After crossing the bridge at ducks.eaten.boxing, you’ll find a large area of derelict land on the northern bank of the Tyne, home to many species characteristic of Newcastle’s urban spaces. Look out for Weld (Reseda luteola), Hen-bit Dead-nettle (Lamium amplexicaule), Common Poppy (Papaver rhoeas), Guernsey Fleabane (Erigeron sumatrensis), and Hop Trefoil (Trifolium campestre). Corn Marigold (Glebionis segetum) has also been recorded here, likely introduced by well-meaning locals, and the thin soils here often support stunning displays of Sun Spurge (Euphorbia helioscopia).
Once you’ve explored this area, retrace your steps back across Cycle Route 72 and take the path along the western bank of the Ouse Burn. Although this area is dominated by office blocks, it’s surprisingly rich in plant life. Check the stonework fringing the burn for Himalayan Honeysuckle (Leycesteria formosa) growing in the cracks, and look down at the gabions for natives like Wild Celery (Apium graveolens), Common Scurvygrass (Cochlearia officinalis), Hemlock Water-Dropwort (Oenanthe crocata), and Spear-leaved Orache (Atriplex prostrata), all tolerant of the brackish conditions typical of the lower river. If you spot orange flowers along the stonework, this may be Kamchatka Stonecrop (Phedimus kamtschaticus), first recorded at this site in 2024.
Before continuing your walk, take a close look at the crumbling wall at flats.vivid.paint, home to a large colony of Yellow-wort (Blackstonia perfoliata). Also, check the ornamental planters in the office forecourts, which, depending on local gardeners’ activity, may contain interesting arable plants. In the past, these have included Wild Radish (Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. raphanistrum), Small Nettle (Urtica urens), Fool’s-parsley (Aethusa cynapium), Cut-leaved Dead-nettle (Lamium hybridum), and even CommonFiddleneck (Amsinckia micrantha). Now, head back to the cycle route, cross the bridge, and follow the path along the eastern bank of the Ouse Burn at Maling Street, where your walk truly begins.
The industrialised riverbanks between the Tyne Bar and Panhaggarty Bridge are eclectic and fascinating, with the stonework hosting a unique mix of native plants and successful urban neophytes. As you walk, look for species like Polypody (Polypodium vulgare), Small-flowered Crane’s-bill (Geranium pusillum), Squirreltail Fescue (Vulpia bromoides), Prickly Lettuce (Lactuca serriola), Tall Melilot (Melilotus altissimus), Sticky Groundsel (Senecio viscosus), and Narrow-leaved Ragwort (Senecio inaequidens). Less common are Meadow Fescue (Schedonorus pratensis) and Green Field-speedwell (Veronica agrestis), the latter being an unusual addition to the flora here. Keep an eye out too for bird seed aliens such as Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum) and Six-row Barley (Hordeum vulgare), which may have sprouted thanks to locals feeding waterfowl.
Exploring the naturalised shrubs in this area is also rewarding, with expanding colonies of Hjelmqvist’s Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster hjelmqvistii) and Swedish Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster x suecicus), as well as Wall Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horizontalis) and Willow-leaved Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster salicifolius).
When you reach Panhaggarty Bridge, cross the Ouse Burn again and follow the burn-side path that fringes Ouse Burn Farm to the east. The frequent transfer of goods and produce here has led to the colonisation of several interesting species, such as Balm (Melissa officinalis), Cockspur (Echinochloa crus-galli), and Chives (Allium schoenoprasum). The Ouse Burn itself is particularly noteworthy for its floating conservation islands, which host riparian plants like Purple-loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), Hemlock (Conium maculatum), Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris), Water Figwort (Scrophularia auriculata), and Gypsywort (Lycopus europaeus). Interestingly, Gypsywort may have colonised naturally, supported by records from N.J. Winch in the 1800s. These islands also harbour two invasive species: Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) and Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum). Under Byker Bridge, observe the well-established colony of Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis), which grows alongside Trailing Bellflower (Campanula poscharskyana).
Continue along the burn to the small meadow at heap.grin.hails. If you see a cow, don’t be alarmed—Willow is friendly! This managed grassland is a hidden gem, home to Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria), Square-stalked St. John’s-wort (Hypericum tetrapterum), and more common plants such as Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum), Common Figwort (Scrophularia nodosa), and Ragged-robin (Silene flos-cuculi). The pond at adopt.lively.turkey is still maturing but already holds Common Stonewort (Chara vulgaris) and several Carex species.
To finish your walk, cross the small stone bridge leading back to the eastern bank of the Ouse Burn and follow the path towards the wooded area south of Newcastle’s City Stadium. Along the way, you may spot Black Horehound (Ballota nigra) and Chicory (Cichorium intybus) growing beside the path. In the wood, and along the edges of the metro line running east towards Heaton, you’ll encounter self-sown cotoneasters, including Tree Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster frigidus), Stern’s Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster sternianus), and Spreading Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster divaricatus), the latter colonising the stonework of an old railway bridge further east. The wood itself hosts several interesting alien species, such as Fatsia (Fatsia japonica), Red-osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea), and carpets of Atlantic Ivy (Hedera hibernica), which, though not strictly alien, was surely introduced here. In winter, the wood delights with displays of Common Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis), while later in the year, you might spot Broad-leaved Helleborine (Epipactis helleborine).
A few other interesting plants to spot along the way…
Other interesting plants to look for along the way include Viper’s-bugloss (Echium vulgare), Mexican Fleabane (Erigeron karvinskianus), Black Spleenwort (Asplenium adiantum-nigrum), Beaked Hawk’s-beard (Crepis vesicaria), Bullate Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster rehderi), Common Stork’s-bill (Erodium cicutarium), Shining Crane’s-bill (Geranium lucidum), Hedgerow Crane’s-bill (Geranium pyrenaicum), Hoary Ragwort (Jacobaea erucifolia), and Oregon-grape (Mahonia aquifolium).
Inspired by ongoing efforts to record the urban flora of Newcastle and North Tyneside, I wanted to make some of what has been discovered so far accessible to those interested in exploring the city for themselves. Cue a new series!
These blogs will explore some of the best botanical walks the conurbation has to offer – perfect for planning your next outing in the urban jungle. Here, we’ll explore the former mining sites of Big Waters and Brenkley Colliery, with a brief detour to Seaton Burn, but first a huge thanks to Chris Barlow for the photography needed to illustrate this post – I must learn to take better photos!
A Special Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI) managed jointly by Northumberland Wildlife Trust (NWT) and Urban Green Newcastle, Big Waters is home to the largest subsistence pond in region, formed over collapsed mine workings from the 1920s. With plenty of open water, reedbed, neutral grassland and wet woodland, it is a most interesting place to visit. That said, it is the Eastern side managed by Urban Green Newcastle that is most interesting. You’ll start there, though the NWT side is of note for its rich sedge community which among other things includes White Sedge (Carex canescens), Common Yellow-sedge (Carex demissa) and Oval Sedge (Carex leporina). You will avoid hopping fences, won’t you?
Your walk will begin in the carpark at seeing.helpfully.meanders. From here, take the less-trodden path into the wood for a brief pitstop at the boardwalk at instincts.honestly.offices. Here, the small pond to either side holds Rigid Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum) and White Water-lily (Nymphaea alba) alongside more common wetland fare in Purple-loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) and Broad-leaved Pondweed (Potamogeton natans). Better yet, this area is one of the few places in the conurbation where you can enjoy Greater Duckweed (Spirodela polyrhiza) – a rather rare plant in North East England, if the maps are to be believed.
Next, head up a small flight of rickety stems and follow the trail through the small wood until you emerge at starters.concerned.lift. At this point, follow the lakeshore taking care to look out any unusual aquatic plants washed closer to shore. Fennel Pondweed (Stuckenia pectinata) is particularly common, as is Canadian Waterweed (Elodea canadensis) but you may also encounter Horned Pondweed (Zannichellia palustris) and Curled Pondweed (Potamogeton crispus). The banks here can be interesting too with plentiful Marsh Woundwort (Stachys palustris), Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum), Perforate St. John’s-wort (Hypericum perforatum) and other common plants. If you look closer at the Hypericum, you may well encounter Des Etang’s St. John’s-wort (Hypericum x desetangsii) also, though it’s other parent, Imperforate St. John’s-wort (Hypericum maculatum) is strangely lacking if my experience is anything to go by.
Continuing on this route, before long, you’ll enter a new monad and should continue, over a small bridge, into an area of grassland beginning at products.most.flick. By the burn, be sure to check the stepping stones for more Greater Duckweed, often forming mixed-species mats with its common cousin, Common Duckweed (Lemna minor), and some infrequent marginals in Amphibious Bistort (Persicaria amphibia), Water-plantain (Alisma plantago-aquatica) and Clustered Dock (Rumex conglomeratus). These species are common across Big Waters but this is as good a place as any to spot them.
The grasslands at Big Waters are rather diverse and home to a rich suite of species including Yellow Oat-grass (Trisetum flavescens), Lesser Stitchwort (Stellaria graminea), Zigzag Clover (Trifolium medium), Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria), Northern Marsh-orchid (Dactylorhiza purpurella) and Common Spotted-orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii). Explore these, but be sure to return to the burnside path for an eclectic mix of naturalised garden escapes.
How many of these species came to exist here is a bit of a mystery but depending on the timing of your visit, around butlers.equity.professesyou can observe a queer mix of Purple Cranes-bill (Geranium x magnificum), Druce’s Crane’s-bill (Geranium x oxonianum), Dotted Loosestrife (Lysimachia punctata) and Hybrid Barrenwort (Epimedium x versicolor). If you should notice a rather imposing tussock of grass, this is likely to be Golden Oats (Celtica gigantea) which was first recorded from the site in 2024 by local naturalist, Chris Barlow. Chris has since gone on to find Yellow Oxeye (Buphthalmum speciosum) in the same area so what exactly is happening here is anyone’s guess! Big Waters gardening club?
Continue beside the Hartley Burn until you reach the motorway, noting the impressive Traveller’s-joy (Clematis vitalba) at rust.informer.slab. From this point, you’ll loop back, walking the opposite site of the burn as you head back towards the lake. Along the way, lookout for Grey Alder (Alnus incana), Italian Alder (Alnus cordata) and other commonplace additions to former coalfields. When you reach the lake, it is worth investigating the eroded bank at struts.factory.grips where visitors commonly feed the resident waterfowl. Sightings here have included commonplace plants such as Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum) but also relative scarcities such as Cockspur (Echinochloa crus-galli). From here, you’ll want to follow the path North, through a small wood, to fists.rifled.wrist, where you will reach a bridleway from which you will travel West to the site of the former Brenkley Colliery. A rather inaccessible but diverse site that can be accessed, somewhat naughtily, via some arable fields at sideboard.explored.revealing.
From this point, head North along the margins of the sprawling wheat field, ensuring you hug the margins so not to trample the farmers crops. Doing so, you will have the opportunity to observe many crop weeds including commonplace plants like Scarlet Pimpernel (Lysimachia arvensis) and Scentless Mayweed (Tripleurospermum inodorum) but several scarcities too. In this field, and in the broader area, a little work can reveal Great Brome (Anisantha diandra), Black-grass (Alopecurus myosuroides) and Marsh Cudweed (Gnaphalium uliginosum), all of which are rather rare in Greater Newcastle. When you reach powerful.trudges.tedious, you have reached the colliery and short of a hurdle through the hedge, the next leg of your botanical voyage can begin.
Brenkley Colliery is an interesting if somewhat neglected site. In parts, the meadows here are acidic in nature dominated by Betony (Betonica officinalis), Tormentil (Potentilla erecta), Sneezewort (Achillea ptarmica), Common Sedge (Carex nigra) and Devil’s-bit Scabious (Succisa pratensis). In other parts, you will find copious Fairy Flax (Linum catharticum) alongside Common Spotted Orchid, Lady’s-bedstraw (Galium verum) and tracts of Yellow Oat-grass; all of which, together, hint at more calcareous conditions. Uncommon plants here include Great Burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis), Des Etangs’ St. John’s-wort and best of all, Newcastle’s only known example of Autumn Gentian (Gentianella amarella) – a surprising find during recent surveys.
Autumn Gentian (Gentianella amarella)
Brenkley is degrading fast it would seem, largely on account of encroaching scrub. Inaction means that this locally unique site may be lost in due course so perhaps it is best to enjoy it while you can. Or perhaps it will be protected. Who knows?
At this stage, you may wish to curtail your journey, heading back the way you came to Big Waters and onwards to home. However, if you’re not yet finished, you could opt for a walk East along the old colliery road towards Seaton Burn and Little Waters. Doing so will reward you with copious amounts of Blue Water-Speedwell (Veronica anagallis-aquatica) in a path side ditch at detective.suitably.canyons, while continuing to the bridge in Seaton Burn itself will yield what may well be Newcastle/North Tynside’s most diverse aquatic plant community. At waltzed.mailboxes.stream look out for the county’s only known population of Lesser Water-Parsnip (Berula erecta), a Rare Plant Register species, and other uncommon plants such as Curled Pondweed and Horned Pondweed. A rather chunky water-starwort here may well turn out to be Blunt-fruited Water-starwort (Callitriche obtusangula) but needs further investigation. Water-violet (Hottonia palustris) also grows in this square but alas, I can’t reveal everything in posts such as this can I?
Inspired by ongoing efforts to record the urban flora of Newcastle and North Tyneside, I wanted to make some of what has been discovered so far accessible to those interested in exploring the city for themselves. Cue a new series!
These blogs will explore some of the best botanical walks the conurbation has to offer – perfect for planning your next outing in the urban jungle. Here, we’ll explore the streets of Heaton (I promise you, there is more to those terraces than meets the eye!)
The streets of Heaton, a suburb of Newcastle, are both significant for their botanical diversityand broadly representative of the messy, terraced neighbourhoods found across Tyneside. My daily walk during lockdown, the area has been very well botanised, but you could easily encounter many of these plants in parts of Wallsend, Walker, Jesmond or Elswick. You’ll begin your walk on at the base of Simonside Terrace (burns.thick.bonds).
Setting out, you will walk up Simonside Terrace towards Chillingham Road, paying attention to the weedy front gardens tended (or not) by Heaton’s burgeoning population of students. Here, you will experience what can only be described as the true ‘urban flora’ of Newcastle. Among commoner plants, in summer, expect to see Guernsey Fleabane (Erigeron sumatrensis) and Canadian Fleabane (Erigeron canadensis) growing within cracks in the pavement, Oxford Ragwort (Senecio squalidus) adorning walls in the company of Red Valerian (Centranthus ruber) and Water Bent (Polypogon viridis) growing in an assortment of nooks and crannies.
On the North-facing side of the terrace, look out for carpets of Mind-your-own-business (Soleirolia soleirolii) spreading between shaded gardens and Pale Pink-sorrel (Oxalis incarnata) colonising flowerbeds. You can also expect ample Welsh Poppy (Papaver cambricum), Sun Spurge (Euphorbia helioscopia), Purple Toadflax (Linaria purpurea), Trailing Bellflower (Campanula poscharskyana) and Pink Purslane (Claytonia sibirica), which has colonised gravelled gardens here in recent years.
At caked.towns.glee, turn right and head back in the same direction via the first back alley you encounter. Seldom sprayed, these alleyways can be a veritable gold mine of interesting plants, of all persuasions. In walls, expect to see Fern-grass (Catapodium rigidum), Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) and Ivy-leaved Toadflax (Cymbalaria muralis), as well as self-sown Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and perhaps even Annual Beard-grass (Polypogon monspeliensis) – a bird seed alien which has been growing ever more frequent of late. Continue across Whitefield Terrace to another alley directly abutting the nearby Iris Brickfield allotments where you will enjoy, depending on the antics of local allotmenteers, a wide range of waifs and strays cast out from local vegetable plots. In Spring, the margins here hold Garden Grape-hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum), Star-of-Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum) and Three-cornered Garlic (Allium triquetrum) presumably hurled over the fence as bulbs. Common weeds include Fat-hen (Chenopodium album), Common Orache (Atriplex patula) and Pellitory-of-the-wall (Parietaria judaica); while Black Nightshade (Solanum nigrum) is recurrent in bare areas. You might even spot the impressive Grape-vine (Vitis vinifera) that, having been turfed out of an allotment plot, has flourished in the hedge here for several years.
From this point, it is worth going off piste and exploring more of the nearby terraces. Each comes with its own unique set of plants and more than a few highlights. At gold.slimy.vineyou will find an impressive variety of ferns on Rokeyby Terrace including Maidenhair Spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes subsp. quadrivalens), Hart’s-tongue (Asplenium scolopendrium), Wall-rue (Asplenium ruta-muraria) and better yet, Black Spleenwort (Asplenium adiantum-nigrum) and Polypody (Polypodium vulgare). On Tosson Terrace, Greater Quaking-grass (Briza maxima) is expending rapidly and has colonised the grounds of a nearby school and all about, pavement cracks hold treasures such as Squirreltail Fescue (Vulpia bromoides), White Melilot (Melilotus albus) and the self-sown offspring of garden plants. Two of the most frequent being Argentine Vervain (Verbena bonariensis) and Great Mullein (Verbascum thapsus).
Whichever route you take, your next port of call will be the nearby Iris Brickfield Park. Fairly unassuming, at least by the standards of Newcastle’s other amenity spaces, the park holds all the trappings you might expect with playing fields, a play area, manicured lawns and rows of ornamental trees – several of which including False-acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia), Cherry Plum (Prunus cerasifera) and Mougeot’s Whitebeam (Sorbus mougeotii) are known to spread themselves about somewhat. Notably, the park also holds several ‘wild’ areas with the grassland here gradually developing into a rather nice meadow. Expect Lesser Stitchwort (Stellaria graminea), Yellow-rattle (Rhinanthus minor), Zigzag Clover (Trifolium medium), Northern Marsh-orchid (Dactylorhiza purpurella), Goat’s-beard (Tragopogon pratensis) and obvious patches of Stinking Iris (Iris foetidissima). Much more intriguing, however, is the small pond at item.humid.firms.
Subject to little upkeep, this pond has developed a fascinating aquatic community over the years, born of natural colonisation and perhaps, a helping hand from nearby residents. By large, it is dominated by stands of Common Reed (Phragmites australis) and Reed Sweet-grass (Glyceria maxima) but in parts, you will also find Branched Burr-reed (Sparganium erectum), Purple-loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) and Water Mint (Mentha aquatica). The real gems here are much rarer but with careful exploration, you can find Marsh Willowherb (Epilobium palustre), Gypsywort (Lycopus europaeus), Jointed Rush (Juncus articulatus), Bogbean (Menyanthes trifoliata), Yellow Loosestrife (Lysimachia vulgaris) and much more. Indeed, this small and unassuming pond exemplifies perfectly the value of even the smallest shred of natural habitat in the urban setting. Before moving on, move a few paces to remind.baked.duke where you can enjoy the city’s only known clump of Marsh-mallow (Althaea officinalis). How it got here remains somewhat of a mystery.
Exit the park at glass.city.wisely on to Rothbury Terrace and head North towards Benfield Road. On route, be sure to peer through the fence separating the road from the nearby railway line. Over the years, this has developed a rich scrub community consisting of many natives, including Wild Privet (Ligustrum vulgare), and assorted aliens ranging from Mock-orange (Philadelphus coronarius) and Escallonia (Escallonia rubra) to Hollyberry Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster bullatus). Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum) and Japanese Knotweed (Reynoutria japonica) can also be observed.
A major thoroughfare, the flora on Benfield Road is different to that of the area’s quieter streets. Walking North-West, you should note a wide range of species in cracks, crevices and untidy corners including Eastern Rocket (Sisymbrium orientale), Bristly Oxtongue (Helminthotheca echioides), Sticky Groundsel (Senecio viscosus) and Scarlet Pimpernel (Lysimachia arvensis). Walk until the road joins the Coast Road, one of Newcastle’s most significant transport links where, thanks to winter gritting, a rich halophyte community has developed.
Without straying far from the junction, here you will find a representative suite of salt-lovers including Danish Scurvy-grass (Cochlearia danica), Sea Plantain (Plantago maritima), Buck’s-horn Plantain (Plantago coronopus), Sea Aster (Tripolium pannonicum) and Lesser Sea-spurrey (Spergularia marina). Look closer at the roadsides you might also notice Sea Fern-grass (Catapodium marinum) at its only local outpost. Oddities occur here too, presumably due to the constant passage of traffic. In recent years, these have included Argentine Needle-grass (Nassella tenuissima) and Californian Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) but you never know what might pop up.
Californian Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
From this point, you have two options: curtail your journey, or follow the Coast Road West to the junction of Benton Road where you may visit Heaton Cemetery. Doing so will provide an opportunity to enjoy a range of succulent species associated with the undisturbed stonework of aged graves. White Stonecrop (Sedum album) and Biting Stonecrop(Sedum acre) are most plentiful but crisscrossing the site, you should also observe colonies of Reflexed Stonecrop (Petrosedum rupestre) and Rock Stonecrop (Petrosedum forsterianum). In keeping with many urban cemeteries, areas of disturbed ground (usually near new burial sites) can be worth investigating for species such as Green Field-speedwell (Veronica agrestis) but do be respectful.
At this point, all that remains is to head back via Chillingham Road, noting further weeds along the way. New additions will include Adria Bellflower (Campanula portenschlagiana) and Yellow Corydalis (Pseudofumaria lutea) in exterior a garden walls and a pavement-dwelling Curry-plant (Helichrysum italicum) at stuck.slimy.appear.
Other interesting plants to look for along the way…
Inspired by ongoing efforts to record the urban flora of Newcastle and North Tyneside, I wanted to make some of what has been discovered so far accessible to those interested in exploring the city for themselves. Cue a new series!
These blogs will explore some of the best botanical walks the conurbation has to offer – perfect for planning your next outing in the urban jungle. Here, we’ll explore Scotswood Road and Elswick Riverside.
This level 3.5-mile circular walk takes in what were once the industrial heartlands of Newcastle and travels through several key urban habitats. Your walk will begin at the Skinnerburn Road car park (cubs.camp.effort) from which you will set out West along the Hadrian’s Wall Path on the Northern bank of the Tyne. You will follow this for roughly 1.5 miles and for the first portion of your journey, much of the botanical interest will derive from the narrow band of scrub that fringes the river. Formed through the gradual colonisation of tidal defences and riverbank this habitat holds one of the richest neophyte assemblages in the city.
Almost immediately upon starting out (remind.dirt.entire) a look at this scrub community will reveal an assortment of bird-sown cotoneaster species. Late Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster lacteus) and Willow-leaved Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster salicifolius) are most obvious, but here too are Waterer’s Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster x watereri) and Wall Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horizontalis). Among these, you should also note Chinese Barberry (Berberis julianae) at one of its only outposts in the city and interestingly, Stinking Hellebore (Helleborus foetidus) which, presumably having escaped nearby amenity planting, forms a unique understorey beneath the alien shrubs. Here too, closer inspection will reveal Spurge-laurel (Daphne laureola) and Wood Spurge (Euphorbia amygdaloides subsp. robbiae). A variety of self-sown alien trees also feature including Italian Alder (Alnus cordata), Swedish Whitebeam (Sorbus intermedia) and Common Whitebeam (Sorbus aria).
Late Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster lacteus)Spurge-laurel (Daphne laureola)Stinking Hellebore (Helleborus foetidus)
As you walk the riverside path, be sure to cast your eyes downward, through the scrub, to the walls and exposed mud closest to the Tyne. All along this stretch it is possible to observe relic saltmarsh flora consisting of Sea Aster (Tripolium pannonicum), Sea Plantain (Plantago maritima), Buck’s-horn Plantain (Plantago coronopus) and Common Saltmarsh-grass (Puccinellia maritima). Common Scurvygrass (Cochlearia officinalis) occurs much more scantly, and one of the highlights of the walk, Wild Celery (Apium graveolens) can be seen emerging from gaps in the riverside stonework.
Beyond these, the rest of until approximately rides.jets.solowill be spend admiring the scrub and tracksides. Low-growing plants to look out for along the way include Narrow-leaved Ragwort (Senecio inaequidens), Wood Sage (Teucrium scorodonia), False Brome (Brachypodium sylvaticum), Perennial Wall-rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia) and Cut-leaved Dead-nettle (Lamium hybridum). In the scrub, you will note an almost overwhelming variety of cotoneasters including, in addition to those mentioned already, Bearberry Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster dammeri), Hjelmvist’s Cotoneaser (Cotoneaster hjelmqvistii), Bullate Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster rehderi), Hollyberry Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster bullatus), Himalayan Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster simonsii) and Franchet’s Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster franchetii) – all of which make this a good place to look closer at this tricky group of plants. At placed.slower.wisdom, be sure to look out for Broad-leaved Whitebeam (Sorbus latifolia) growing on the banks where it is presumably bird-sown from planted populations in County Durham.
Atrides.jets.solokeep a watchful eye for Broad-leaved Helleborine (Epipactis helleborine) growing on the margins of the mown amenity grassland here and at belong.global.span for Glabrous Whitlowgrass (Erophila glabrescens) amid the pavements. Otherwise, the next point of interest comes at puns.noise.oddly where the path slopes upward towards William Armstrong Drive. Here, you will spot the city’s only example of Fig (Ficus carica) overhanging the river, perhaps even adorned with fruit. With a bit of careful meandering here, you can further explore the small area of bank here with the aim of finding two scarce natives: Downy Birch (Betula pubescens) and Spindle (Euonymus europaeus). Exploration of the little inlet here should turn-up more Wild Celery alongside Spear-leaved Orache (Atriplex prostrata) and Danish Scurvygrass (Cochlearia danica) on the tidal mud. You should also add another cotoneaster to your rapidly increasing tally with Small-leaved Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster microphyllus).
Fig (Ficus carica)Fig (Ficus carica)
From here, continue up Willam Armstrong Road until it merges with Scotswood Road. Cross the road and you will be presented with a long-neglected area of roadside shrubbery at orders.mint.plant.Most of the shrubs here are planted and are of little interest, but what grows beneath them is far more interesting. In summer, open areas and messy marginal zones here hold a thriving population of Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera) growing alongside Yellow-wort (Blackstonia perfoliata) and Musk-mallow (Malva moschata).
A little further west, a larger expanse of grassland at the junction of the B1305 is worth exploring and holds many of the species associated with Tyneside’s re-seeded industrial plots. Expect Lady’s-bedstraw (Galium verum), Hedge Bedstraw (Galium album) and their hybrid Galium x pomeranicum; Chalk Knapweed (Centaurea debeauxii), Quaking-grass (Briza media), Yellow Oat-grass (Trisetum flavescens), Viper’s-bugloss (Echium vulgare), Small Scabious (Scabiosa columbaria), Field Scabious (Knautia arvensis), Greater Knapweed (Centaurea scabiosa) and Wild Marjoram (Origanum vulgare).
From here, all that remains is to travel back East on Scotswood Road. At cares.scare.shaky and slick.plant.glee, grassland areas hold more of the same calcareous species explored earlier, while roadsides and waste ground plots hold an interesting assortment of weeds. Along your way, look out for Eastern Rocket (Sisymbrium orientale),Great Lettuce (Lactuca virosa), Long-headed Poppy (Papaver dubium), Large-flowered Evening-primrose (Oenothera glazioviana), Squirreltail Fescue (Vulpia bromoides), and Water Bent (Polypogon viridis).
To return to the car park, turn off Scotswood Road down Dunn Street. Along the way, look out for Stern’s Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster sternianus) in the rail side scrub and yet more Cut-leaved Dead-nettle in any areas of disturbed ground. A final point of interest is the diverse willowherb community that develops atop any area of waste or derelict ground. Expect an abundance of Short-fruited Willowherb (Epilobium obscurum), Great Willowherb (Epilobium hirsutum), Hoary Willowherb (Epilobium parviflorum),Broad-leaved Willowherb (Epilobium montanum), American Willowherb (Epilobium ciliatum) and Square-stalked Willowherb (Epilobium tetragonum). It is worth looking for hybrids too – the hybrid between Great x Hoary Willowherb (Epilobium x subhirsutum) has been recorded nearby.
Other interesting plants to look for along the way…
Lesser Sea-spurrey (Spergularia marina), Darwin’s Barberry (Berberis darwinii), Swedish Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster x x suecicus), Hybrid Couch (Elymus x laxus), Reflexed Saltmarsh-grass (Puccinellia distans) and Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa).
Inspired by ongoing efforts to record the urban flora of Newcastle and North Tyneside, I wanted to make some of what has been discovered so far accessible to those interested in exploring the city for themselves. Cue a new series!
These blogs will explore some of the best botanical walks the conurbation has to offer – perfect for planning your next outing in the urban jungle. Here, we’ll explore NHSN’s Gosforth Nature Reserve.
Managed by the Natural History Society since 1924, Gosforth Nature Reserve is perhaps the most fruitful and interesting green space in the city. Much of this is due to the presence of several key habitats condensed in what is a relatively small area. On this walk, you’ll explore areas of open water and reedbed, marshland and recent semi-natural woodland and smaller areas of meadow and relic heath. At just over 1 mile, this circular route takes about 2 hours with plenty of time to pause and enjoy the wildlife.
You’ll start at the reserve entrance (dollar.tile.scales) where before heading in, you may wish to spend a few moments scrutinising the species rich verge directly behind you. This holds populations of Musk Thistle (Carduus nutans), Betony (Betonica officinalis) and Viper’s-bugloss (Echium vulgare) among commoner plant life and is notable for the presence of Adder’s-tongue (Ophioglossum vulgatum) and some lovely displays of Cowslip (Primula veris) come spring. Southern Marsh-orchid (Dactylorhiza praetermissa) has also popped up in the near area of late is liable to expand further. Now head on in via the friendly volunteers at the Welcome Hut (paying the entry fee or showing a membership card) and through two sets of gates and into the woodland. Here, turn left towards the field boundary at winner.locals.fortunate.
The first portion of this walk is not all that interesting, in truth – the woodland here lacks many of the axiophytes associated with ancient woodland and instead, is dominated by common ferns such as Broad Buckler-fern (Dryopteris dilatata). Still, walking the boundary ride, you might note Zigzag Clover (Trifolium medium), Spurge-laurel (Daphne laureola), Wood Dock (Rumex sanguineous), Three-nerved Sandwort (Moehringia trinervia) and Stinking Iris (Iris foetidissima) and a little further on, a newly created woodland meadow. While in its infancy, this patch holds Pignut (Conopodium majus), Yellow-rattle (Rhinanthus minor) and select other titbits. Things will pick up when you reach a junction in the path and a trail leading through an area of willow carr. Take this path, pausing beneath the willows where the sodden ground holds Hairy-brome (Bromopsis ramosa) and Wood Meadow-grass (Poa nemoralis). In just a few paces, you’ll emerge into the reedbed – once said to be the largest in South Northumberland.
Sympathetic management mean that in places, the reedbed holds a diverse range of riparian and emergent plant species. In summer, you should note plenty of Wild Angelica (Angelica sylvestris), Water Mint (Mentha aquatica) and Common Valerian (Valeriana officinalis), often adorned with clambering Bittersweet (Solanum dulcamara). Beneath the taller herbs, the understory holds Tufted Forget-me-not (Myosotis laxa), Marsh-bedstraw (Galium palustre) and Water Forget-me-not (Myosotis scorpioides), as well as Water Horsetail (Equisetum fluviatile). Don’t get too distracted, however, for the best is still to come.
At undulation.such.visitsyou’ll find the reserve’s pond-dipping platform. This is far and away the best place at which to observe the site’s scarcer aquatic flora. Expect Water-plantain (Alisma plantago-aquatica), Greater Spearwort (Ranunculus lingua), Celery-leaved Buttercup (Ranunculus sceleratus), Broad-leaved Pondweed (Potamogeton natans) and Common Water-starwort (Callitriche stagnalis). Marsh Cinquefoil (Comarum palustre) is also present with this small platform being the best place to observe it in all the city. From here, head back on yourself and continue on the boundary ride, past the Beck Hide, until you reach the rear of the reserve at studio.riches.broad. Here you will find a rather lovely SuDS Pond and its associated plant life.
New species in the pond here will include Canadian Waterweed (Elodea canadensis), Blinks (Montia fontana), and Common Club-rush (Schoenoplectus lacustris) but the real focal point here comes at fans.remark.dine where you can enjoy a small colony of Melancholy Thistle (Cirsium heterophyllum). After seeing this, return across the pond and follow the path a short distance to the meadow lost.orchestra.mouth where there is a great deal more to see.
First, turn right and follow the path a few paces into a small, open area next to the reserve’s viewing screen. This is a productive spot with Common Spotted-orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii), Northern Marsh-orchid (Dactylorhiza purpurella) and their hybrid, Dactylorhiza x venusta. You can also enjoy Rough Hawkbit (Leontodon hispidus), growing alongside naturalised Fox-and Cubs (Pilosella aurantiaca), and in scrubby areas nearby, Bifid Hemp-nettle (Galeopsis bifida) – a rather rare plant in the conurbation. More noteworthy still are the ragworts present with both Marsh Ragwort (Jacobaea aquatica) and its hybrid with Common Ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris), easily found. You may find that most of the plants encountered are in fact Jacobaea x ostenfeldii.
Jacobaea x ostenfeldii with parentsBifid Hemp-nettle (Galeopsis bifida)Betony (Betonica officinalis)
Now return the way you came, into the larger meadow. At shed.gallons.formacid soils give rise to a unique community of plants including Devil’s-bit Scabious (Succisa pratensis), Betony, Heather (Calluna vulgaris), Tormentil (Potentilla erecta) and rarely, Heath Spotted-orchid (Dactylorhiza maculata) growing alongside the abundant orchid species. Heath Wood-rush (Luzula multiflora) also persists here, as does Sneezewort (Achillea ptarmica). Look closely at this stage and you should easily find the only known example of Lemon-scented Fern (Oreopteris limbosperma) in all of Newcastle.
This is also a good spot to test your sedge identification skills with a representative suite of species including, by not limited to, Common Yellow-sedge (Carex demissa), Glaucous Sedge (Carex flacca), Carnation Sedge (Carex panicea), Hairy Sedge (Carex hirta), Brown Sedge (Carex disticha) and Common Sedge (Carex nigra).
Meadow flora changes as you near the next SuDS. Owing to a past seed mix, here groundcover is dominated by Bird’s-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus var. sativus), Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), Common Knapweed (Centaurea nigra) and other plentiful species. At frames.apples.tigers, a look in the pond should add Blue Water-speedwell (Veronica anagallis-aquatica), Small Pondweed (Potamogeton berchtoldii) and Brooklime (Veronica beccabunga) to the proceedings and perhaps Bladder-sedge (Carex vesicaria). More Bifid Hemp-nettle can also be found in marginal areas.
From this point, follow the path into the wood to a junction at mops.levels.agents. You know have two options: follow the path to your left for a longer walk through the woodland, or head straight on skirting the lake shore. We’ll do the latter, though taking the alternate route is worthwhile in spring for Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta), Primrose (Primula vulgaris), Greater Stitchwort (Stellaria holostea), Wild Daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus subsp. pseudonarcissus) and other woodland species recently introduced on site. The margins of the clearings along this trail, where the felling of non-native Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis) has enabled select species to regenerate, offer plants such as Heath Groundsel (Senecio sylvaticus) and Common Hemp-nettle (Galeopsis tetrahit).
Following your chosen route, several notable plants can be found along the tracksides including Heath Speedwell (Veronica officinalis), Heath Bedstraw (Galium saxatile) and more Tormentil, along with some sizeable populations of Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) that look delightful in late Spring. At share.tester.begindo pay attention to the wetland woodland where, among the trunks of Downy Birch (Betula pubescens) you may spot Marsh Pennywort (Hydrocotyle vulgaris), Remote Sedge (Carex remota) and other interesting plants.
At this stage, you will continue the track, over a rather scenic area of boardwalk, until you reach yet another junction in the trail. At this junction, look out for Broad-leaved Helleborine (Epipactis helleborine) by the path sides but otherwise, all that remains is to take the central path back to the reserve entrance.
Other interesting plants to look for along the way…
Hairy St. John’s-wort (Hypericum hirsutum), Common Fleabane (Pulicaria dysenterica), Mare’s-tail (Hippuris vulgaris), Quaking-grass (Briza media), Marsh Speedwell (Veronica scutellata), Slender St. John’s-wort (Hypericum pulchrum), Tuberous Comfrey (Symphytum tuberosum) and Mountain Currant (Ribes alpinum).
Bird feeding is a great way to attract birds to a garden, park or wildlife site and a great many of us do it, whether through garden feeders or by broadcasting seed for pigeons and waterfowl. Depending on where seed is sourced, and the treatment it has been subjected to, seed mixes can result in a whole manner of unusual and in some cases exotic plants appearing in urban habitats.
In 1985, a study by Hanson and Mason, published in Watsonia, found that 30 species of plants regularly appear as bird seed aliens. This has only increased in more recent years as botanists across the UK report a growing number of plants springing up from scattered seed. You can find a few interesting titbits on these species here and here.
While recording for the upcoming ‘Urban Flora of Newcastle and North Tyneside’, I have noticed my fair share of these interesting aliens, most prominently around urban lakes where passers-by are known to feed ducks and geese. Inspired, I thought I would highlight some of these here.
Surprise Finds
We’ll start with a trip to Leazes Park in Newcastle City Centre this weekend past. Leazes is a very popular, high footfall site sporting a rather large lake and a local cafe known to supply seed packets for visitors to feed to local waterfowl. It is no surprise then that it has proven itself a most interesting place to hunt for bird seed aliens.
Combing the lake shore, two more surprising finds came in the form of Hemp (Cannabis sativa) and Chia (Salivia hispanica). Hemp is indigenous to Eastern Asia but has spread around the the world as a cultivated cash crop. Browsing the net, it does, however, occur quite commonly as a contaminant even if this is the first time I have found it in a wild state. Chia is much more interesting, at least in a local context, as this record marked its first known occurrence in South Northumberland (VC67).
Hemp (Cannabis sativa)Chia (Salivia hispanica)
Growing alongside these unexpected finds was a suite of more familiar “bird seed aliens.” Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is a widespread casual species in the city, recorded in about 20 grid squares so far. Niger (Guizotia abyssinica), another frequent sight, often appears wherever bird seed is offered.
Common Amaranth (Amaranthus retroflexus) and Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) are much scarcer but have now appeared in Leazes Park for three consecutive years, likely due to ongoing reintroduction. Ragweed, also known as “Hay Fever Weed” in many parts of the world, is particularly unwelcome in certain areas due to its allergy-inducing pollen.
Speaking of Leazes Park, it has been interesting to note the fluctuations in populations of certain bird seed aliens. In past years, Thorn-apple (Datura stramonium) has been observed arising from seed and more interestingly, the archaeophyte Vervain (Verbena officinalis) was recently found by botanist, Philip Griffiths. While not conclusive, it seems likely that the latter also occurs as a contaminant of seed mixes.
These are just a few of the flowering plants observed recently and thought to stem from bird seed. Others I have observed across Newcastle include Common Fiddleneck (Amsinckia micrantha) and Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) growing around the green at Eldon Square Shopping Centre, presumably born of food spread for pigeons. There must be more out there…
Common Fiddleneck (Amsinckia micrantha)Vervain (Verbena officinalis)Thorn-apple (Datura stramonium)
Grasses
Alien grasses are an interesting bunch and many are thought to stem from birdseed. Some of the more frequent are those which make up the bulk of the seed mixes purchased including Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum), Two-row Barley (Hordeum distichon), Six-row Barley (Hordeum vulgare) and Oat (Avena sativa). All are a familiar sight in pavements near gardens where birds are fed. Millet (Panicum miliaceum) is less common, but likewise appears wherever birds are fed with regularity.
Just occasionally, more interesting alien grasses can be found also. Of these, two of the most prominent are Cockspur (Echinochloa crus-galli), photographed here below by Pru Hamed, and Canary-grass (Phalaris canariensis). The former species appears to be increasing annually as a weed of gutters, wall bases and lake shores, while the second remains a casual plant of disturbed ground close to habitation.
Another interesting grass is Annual Beard-grass (Polypogon monspeliensis). Despite very few local records, this attractive little grass is showing signs of expansion in select neighbourhoods across Newcastle, usually in paved areas close to habitation. Unlike those above, it is self-perpetuating once established and has returned on my street in Heaton now for several years.
A final species worthy of mention is Rye Brome (Bromus secalinus). Now, this species occurs scantly as a crop weed in the Newcastle area but recently, I have found it twice in less typical habitat close to gardens. It doesn’t seem to be widely reported as a bird seed alien but must surely occur in this way.
