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Wild Flower Survey 2007/8

The Leicestershire and Rutland Federation gratefully acknowledges the support and encouragement of:

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FINAL REPORT
After 3 years hard work of planning, executing and report, the Wild Flower Survey is finally complete.  Much has been achieved during this time, from business matters in establishing the survey and gaining funding, to the survey itself which involved hundreds of members and other volunteers observing and recording in the countryside within our two counties for the 12 species which were the subject of the survey, right through to storage, presentation of the information gained culminating in the magnificent 2-day exhibition held at Beaumanor Hall in September 2008.  Throughout this period, the additional legacy has been the huge amount of learning taking place:  courses on digital photography and data management; painting and craft courses; IT training, not to mention the numerous "See and Do" events as well as country walks.  At the same time, several appropriately themed competitions were put in place, allowing people to test and display their newly gained skills.

The Wild Flower Survey was a spectacular project, steered and guided by the hard work of the WFS Committee (pictured below).  Their dedication and sheer hard work, together with that of the many volunteers, have ensured that the County Records are now the richer for the resulting report which will be available for future researchers, providing a valuable source of vital information and data about our environment in the early 21st century.
Members of the WFS Committee

The WFS Committee (l to r): Barbara Rogers, Ruth Fenney, Vicky Goodman, Rosemary Heyes, Jane Harris and Sandra Hawley.  Joanna Watson was unable to be present.

In addition to the splendid report on the Beaumanor Exhibition which went out as a colour supplement with every copy of County News recently, each WI in the Federation will be sent a copy of the Final Report on the Wild Flower Survey, but you can also download a version of this report by clicking on the appropriate link in the Download box on the right-hand side of this page.

Here is a selection of photographs depicting just a few of the activities taking place during the course of the survey:

Paul Sutton leading one of the guided walks at Oaks in Charnwood


Steve Troake delivering a digital photography course at WI House


A 'See and Do' craft event at Oakham


Stoke Golding WI members and friends planting their wild flower meadow

The Lady Gretton opening the Beaumanor Exhibition

The Lady Gretton opening the Beaumanor Exhibition, seen here with Eric Galvin of HLF and Rosemary Heyes

Just a small part of the magnificent WFS display

Just a small part of the magnificent Survey display at Beaumanor Hall

One of the many beautiful Project Books on display

Kirkby Mallory WI's superb Project Book on display at Beaumanor Hall

Winning entry in one of the Craft Competitions

This lovely Dandelion Boiled Wool bag was a winning entry in one of the Craft competitions

Display depicting various Federation Committees

An array of mini tableaux depicting the work of the many Federation Committees

Jerusalem Jammers dancing at Beaumanor

The Jerusalem Jammers providing some outside entertainment at the Beaumanor Exhibition

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..... AND FINALLY, THE REAL STARS OF THE SHOW - HERE ARE THE WILDFLOWERS INCLUDED IN THE SURVEY:
Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia)
This perennial flowers from July to September usually on acid grasslands and dry, sandy soils.  Growing to a height of between 15-40cm, the Harebell is the true bluebell of Scotland but can be found in the Midlands in habitats such as heath grasslands.  It is an understated member of the Bellflower species.  Each flower is carried singly on a slender, often branching stem and is between 10 and 20mm in size.  The first leaves near the ground are heart-shaped but higher up the stem, the leaves become more and more slender. (photo: ©David J Slater)
Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia)


Ling or Heather (Calluna vulgaris)
Ling/Heather (Calluna vulgaris)
This perennial shrub flowers between July and September and is usually around 15-45cm tall.  It forms springy clumps that can be from angle- to waist-height, depending on how the area has been managed.  Preferring heaths and acid grasslands,  Ling was once found fairly wide in Charnwood Forest but it has become less common.  The flowers are just 3mm long, drooping down from densely packed, long conical spikes.  The leaves are like tiny scales forming opposite pairs along the branches. (photo: ©David J Slater)

Field Scabious (Knautia arvensis)
The Field Scabious is most likely to be found on neutral of calcareous grassland and around the headlands of cultivated fields between July and September.  The flowerheads are carried on 25-100cm long stout stalks and are composed of around 50 individual florets which become smaller towards the centre of the flower-head.  The colour is usually pale blue or lilac, with the centre a little pinker.  At one time, the root was used to treat Scabies and other skin complaints.  (photo: ©David J Slater)
Field Scabious (Knautia arvensis)


Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmeria)
Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmeria)
A perennial, Meadowsweet is usually found in damp meadows and field verges and by the side of rivers and streams.  It flowers from June to September and reaches a height of between 60-120cm high.  The minute creamy white flowers make a frothy broad head which is sweetly scented and reminiscent of garden Spiraea.  The individual fruits are twisted.  In olden times, Meadowsweet used to be cut and strewn across the floors of houses, so that its sweet scent would act as a form of air freshener.  The flowers were used to flavour mead and to make herbal teas.  (photo: ©David J Slater)

Ragged Robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi)
Related to the Red Campion, but its flowers are far more ragged with each of its five petals divided into four narrow lobes which can become tangled.  It is a perennial which flowers from May to July and can reach a height of 70cm.  Usually found in marshes, damp meadows and woodlands, the stems are reddish and the upper section is rough and sticky.  As wet meadows are drained, this flower has become rarer, so its presence can indicate an ancient meadow which is still in good condition.  (photo: ©David J Slater)
Ragged Robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi)


Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris)
Marsh Marigold(Caltha palustris)
This perennial flowers between March and June and grows to between 15-30cm tall.  It is common in marshy, shady places and wet meadows.  Their heart-shaped leaves get much larger after it has finished flowering (which can be as late as August).  It is related to the Buttercup and has a thick creeping root.  (photo: ©David J Slater)

Primrose (Primula vulgaris)
Primroses form a posy of fresh green leaves, which are crinkled and oblong, tapering towards the base.  The pale yellow flowers grow from the centre of the rosette on a long, slender stem from 10-20cm tall.  It flowers mainly from March to May but can be found as early as December.  It grows in woods, hedgerows, grassy banks and on damp soils.  (photo: ©David J Slater)
Primrose (Primula vulgaris)


Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus ficaria)
Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus ficaria)
Flowering usually between March and May, the burnished gold stars of the Lesser Celandine can be seen as early as February in woods, hedgerows, grassy places and stream banks.  The leaves are normally heart-shaped, although some may be similar to ivy and are quite small during the flower period, becoming larger after flowering.  The 8 to 12 petals are a narrow oval shape.  (photo: ©David J Slater)

Cowslip (Primula veris)
This perennial which flowers from April to May, prefers open sunny situations and are now more usually to be found on banks and verges rather than on pasture.  They are more likely to be common on the limestone-based soils of High Leicestershire and Rutland.  The nodding clusters of up to 30 yellow flowers are carried on 10-30cm stems which spring from the centre of a tuft of soft green crumpled leaves.  (photo: ©David J Slater)
Cowlslip (Primula veris)


Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta)
Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta)
The true Bluebell (H. non-scripta) has nodding flowers that normally form long straight-sided bells.  The anthers inside the bell are creamy-white and the flower stalk is usually 3-10mm long.  Not to be confused with Spanish Bluebells (H. hispanica) which have stiff upright flower spikes, with wide open bells on 8-20mm stalks.  The native Bluebell is a perennial which flowers April to June.  Usually found in woods, hedges and shady places.  (photo: ©David J Slater)

Cuckooflower (Cardamine pratensis)
A perennial which flowers March to June, the Cuckooflower is usually 30-45cm high and flower colour can vary from very pale pink to lilac.  It is usually found in wet or damp areas.  It is so-named because the first flowers open when the cuckoo begins to call, but it is also known as "Lady's Smock" and "Milkmaids".  (photo: ©David J Slater)
Cuckooflower (Cardaine pratensis)


Red Campion (Melandrium dioicum)
Red Campion (Melandrium diocum)
This perennial flowers from March to November and has a height of 20-90cm.  The flowers have five petals which are notched.  Red Campion's usual habitats are hedgerows, woodlands and uncultivated areas such as roadside verges.  (photo: ©Ron Fenney)
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