Linum perenne subsp. anglicum (Miller) Ockendon (Linum anglicum Miller) Conservation status: N First record: Mr Sare, 1650 Park 1335. Corbyn,1656. Linum sylvestre caeruleum l. angustifolium caeruleo flore maiore Park 1335.= Linum perenne. G.C. Druce, Samuel Corbyn's Catalogue of Cambridge Plants, [1656] J.Bot. (1912) 50:77. Given me by Mr Antrobus who gathered it in Cambridgeshire. R(ay) H(istoria) 1073. Sloane Hb. 152:71. BM. Linum sylvestre radice perenni flore caeruleo Martyn,1727,97. May 26 [visits Arbury Camp] There being two sorts of Caucalys growing in Cambridgeshire which we have not here besides the Linum sylvestre perenne, I gave the names thereof to Dr Walker for Mr Mason to have ripe seeds gathered in there season. May 29 1738, Dale, Iter Cantab. Perennial Flax is found in dry chalk soils in Cambridgeshire,... Martyn, 1795, Flora Rustica 4:134. ... found in the dryest chalk soil of Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire, and Norfolk. Smith,Eng.Bot. (1790)1:40. b Linum sylvestre caeruleum perenne procumbens, flore et capitulo minore. Raii Syn.362. Observed by Mr Dale in Cambridgeshire. Relhan,1785. L. perenne sensu Bab. Locally frequent in a few localities in disturbed chalk grassland. A nationally famous plant which is fortunately still common quite near to Cambridge. 45,55, E. England from E. Essex to Durham extending west to Leicester, Westmorland and Kirkcudbright; very local. Perring et al,1964. Experimental taxonomy of the Linum perenne group in Europe. DJ Ockendon, 1967, PhD Dissertation. CUL. Linum perenne ssp. anglicum (Miller) Ockendon, in DJ Ockendon, 1968, Biol.Flora; J.Ecol. 56:871-882. [assoc. species lists for Gogs, Babraham Estate & near Hinxton] Taxonomy of the Linum perenne group in Europe. DJ Ockendon, 1971, Watsonia,8:205-235. 35 [Linum sylvestre...caeruleo] July 10 1760 Septber 5 1759. By Madingley wood July 10 1759... Th.M.ann.Meth.97. 44 Linum perenne Specimen: 'from beside Whiteland & SW side of the parish.[Whittlesford] see Bab. Flora p.19. 1898.' Maynard MS.14:187,CRO. 45 GOGMAGOG HILLS Linum sylvestre radice perenni, flore caeruleo Wild blew Flax. On Gogmagog hills, and thereabouts; and in some closes about Cherry-Hinton, in large quantities. Ray,1660,89(81). Linum sylvestre floribus caerulis Wild perennial blew Flax. On Gogmagog-hills, and in the closes and borders of the fields adjoyning, plentifully. Ray,1670:197. 'Linum sylvestre floribus carnlis Ger. emac. sylvestris angustifolium 1m sive flore magno C.B. sylv. angustif. caerulea flore major Park.' coeruleum perenne nostras Descriptionem vide Hist.nost. p.1073. nulli prater Morisonum Botanico descriptum opimamur. 'Wild perennial blue Flax. On Gogmagog-hills, and in the closes and borders of the fields adjoinng.' Duûm est generum, Alterum Linum perenne majus coeruleum. capitulo majore Morisono dicitur; alterum Lin. perenne min. coeruleum capit. minore; qd caulibus reclinatis, foliis angustioribus floribus & capitulis quadruplo minoribus ab illo differt: locis praedictis utramque invenit[s?]. Ray,ann.1677,188. Linum sylvestre coeruleum perenne nostras In agro Cantabrigiensi ad margines fatorum in collibus Gogmagog dictis copiosè provenit. In Catalogo Plantarum Angliae hoc genus habui pro sequenti seu Lino sylvestri angustifolio flore magno C.B. Ray,1688a,2:1073. Linum sylvestre coeruleum perenne, quod in agro Cantabrigiensi invenitur, nulli praeter Morisonum Botanico descriptum opinor. Emmendanda, Ray,1688b,26. Linum sylvestre caeruleum. Gogmagog Hills. Ray Index Loc.JM.ann. Linum sylvestre radice perenni flore coeruleo] Nec nomina nec descriptiones Authorum plantae quam intelligimus bene conveniunt. Ray,1685,24. Linum sylvestre caeruleum perenne nostras. Wild perennial blue Flax. In agri Cantabrigiensis collibus, Gogmagog dictis, ad margines fatorum copiose. Ray,1690,157. Linum sylvestre coeruleum perenne erectius, flore & capitulo majore. Wild perennial blue Flax, the larger. In agri Cantabrifiensis collibus, Gogmagog dictis, ad marines fatorum copiose. Ray,1696,220; Ray,1724,362. Linum sylvestre caeruleum perenne, quod in agro Cantabrigiensi invenitur, nulli praeter Morisonum Botanico descriptum opinor; ideoque synonyma ejus quae habentur in Catalogo deleantur. Ray,1696, Pag.188. Emmendanda in Catalogo Plantarum Angliae. About Gogmagog Hills I saw the ... Linum sylvestre coeruleum procumbens. June 7th 1733. Dale, Iter Cantab. Linum sylvestre caeruleum perenne erectius, flore et capitulo majore from Gogmagoghills n.d., Joseph Andrews Hb.4:3,BM & J.Bot. (1918),56:298. Gogmagog Hills, Mus.Martyn, n.d., det. DJ Ockendon 1967, CGE. [Linum sylvestre...caeruleo]... July 10 1759 Hinton moor July 13. Th.M.ann.Meth.97. Gogmagog hills. Martyn,1763,Herbat.VII. Gogmagog... Fisher ann. Berkenhout,87. Linum perenne Perennial Flax. Gogmagog Hills. Relhan,1785;1802;1820. Gogmagog Hills, S. Hailstone, 1820, YRK:263; HJW Cat. SH Cat:94.–no date. Gogmagog Hills. Henslow ann. l:132. Gogmagog Hills, L.J., 17.5.1826, BATHG. Gogmagog Hills, CC Babington, 5.1833, det. DJ Ockendon, CGE. Gogmagog Hills, Hb CM Lemann, 5.1833, det. DJ Ockendon 1967, CGE. Gogmagog Hills, Bab.1860,49. Linum perenne Gogmagog Hills. J.E.Leafe, sp. [in Hb Watson] NBG,1835,144. Gogmagogs, Hb JA Power, 6.6.1835, RTE. Gog Magog Hills, W.L.P.G., 8.1840, SWN. Hills... n.c., n.d., SWN. Gogmagog Hills Jno Barton, 6.1858, ex Hb HJW, YRK:263. Gogmagog Hills. Bab.1860,49. Gog magog hills, EF Linton, 7.7.1874, det. DJ Ockendon 1967, CGE. BEL. Gogmagog Hills, n.c., 7.1879, det. DJ Ockendon 1967, CGE. Gogmagog Hills, A.Hosking, 19.5.1895, det. DJ Ockendon 1967, CGE. On the Gogmagogs, the earliest flowers open about April 28th in an ordinary year. West,1898,251. Gogs, 1907, Shrubbs ann. Gogs, West ann. HD.ann. Gogmagog Hills, n.c., 1936, det. DJ Ockendon 1967, CGE. Gogmagog Hills, JL Crosby, 1938. Gogmagog Hills, EA George, 18.6.1940, det. DJ Ockendon 1967, CGE. Abundant on the Gogmagog Hills, 14.10.1945, a few in flower, millions of capsules, mostly empty then. DE Coombe, Card index. Abundant all over the higher parts of the Gogs, (name illeg. EW Jones),1947. GOGS GOLF COURSE 49-53-, 49-54-, 48-53-, 48-54- Extremely abundant on the Gogs Golf Course by Roman Road, (? due to less frequent cutting of course during the war ?), JL Crosby, 1946. Profusely on the Gogmagog Golf Course, PH Oswald, 23.4.1953. Chalk grassland by the Golf Course, Gogmagog Hills, 496.543, fls pale blue, PD Sell, 61/161, 1961, det. DJ Ockendon 1967, CGE. Gog Magog Golf Course, 3m SE of C., chalk grassland, flowers blue, heterostylous, DJ Ockendon, GB1; as previously, 'decumbent form from edge of sand bunker', GB1, DJ Ockendon, 22.7.1965, CGE. 1000 fls, Gogmagog Golf Course, 2 plots of naturally occurring seedlings observed in 2 plots, 1965 & 1966, had 78-100% mortality after 2 years. Ockenden,1967, Appx 2,166 & Table 32; Ockendon,1968. Corner of Golf Course on top of ridge bounded by Roman Rd and Worts Causeway, c.1000 plants on all the 'unmown* parts of the golf course, Pop. map, RJ Pankhurst, (* i.e. semi-roughs), 6.7.1971. Many thousands of plants flowering on all the semi-roughs; absent on fairways and greens, rare-occ. in roughs, R Payne & G Crompton, 18-24 July, 1975. Size of population and notes: There is obviously a large population of this species on the golf course. It is present on all areas of rough and semi-rough surveyed (see above) and was flowering and seeding. It is quite adaptable to different mowing regimfrom completely prostrate to an upright bushy plant c.30 cm in height. Mr Murphy said that its widespread occurrence was the result of a Cambridge University don casting the seeds around when he played golf! A very local leaf-beetle Longitarsus parvulus is associated with the plant. Sarah Lambert, 19.8.1986. GOGS BEECHWOOD 484.545. 1 plant flowering along track west of Beechwood Reserve (reported by Mr P Cook, Gt. Shelford), R Payne, 1974; 1-2 small plants by marker peg in hedge, G Crompton & R Payne, 8.1975. Track West of Beechwood Reserve, on East side of track some 140 paces from entrance gate. 1-2 small plants (flowering) of L. perenne. K Tucker, 29.5-7.6.1990. CHERRY HINTON CHALK PIT EAST AND/OR WEST SIDE Linum sylvestre radice perenni, flore caeruleo Wild blew Flax.... and in some closes about Cherry-Hinton, in large quantities. Ray,1660,89(81). Hinton or Cherry Hinton, In the lanes and Closes. Ray,Index Loc. JM.ann. Cherry Hinton Chalk Pit Close Ray,Index Loc.JM.ann. Linum perenne. Cherry-Hinton. In the close called by Mr Ray the Chalk-pit Close. Martyn,1763,Herbat.VIII. Cherry-Hinton. In the lanes and closes. Martyn,1763,Herbat.VIII. Cherry-Hinton. In a pit by the road side, between Cherry-Hinton and Fulbourn. Martyn,1763,Herbat.VIII. C(halk) P(it) C(lose). Cherry Hinton C(herry) H(inton) Fisher ann. Berkenhout,87. Chalk-pit Close. Relhan,1785;1802;1820. Linum perenne abounds everywhere about the chalkpits of Hinton, & appears very ornamental with its bright blue flowers. There is a succession of these all through the summer, and even now we found it in full flower- as well as seed. Jenyns,JNH,12.8.1824. Chalk-pit Close. Henslow ann. l:132. Hinton, JS Henslow, 2.5.1825, det. DJ Ockendon 1967, CGE. Deserted Chalk-pits near Cherryhinton. 8.5.1828. Henslow Exc. Near Cherry-Hinton. 11.5.1829. Henslow Exc. Hinton, JS Henslow, 14.5.1830, det. DJ Ockendon 1967, CGE. Chalk pit on the Gogmagogs. 1833,Coleman(a),12. Chalk pits & grassy places on the Gogmagogs. Coleman(b). Cherry Hinton, Hb JA Power, 18.10.1835, RTE. Hinton, Hb J Clarke, 1838, SWN. Cherry Hinton, CC Babington, 6.1840, det. DJ Ockendon 1967, CGE. Cherry Hinton, W.L.P.G., 8.1840, SWN. Cherry Hinton, W.L.P.G., 8.1840, var.– SWN. [large plant with very large fls Hinton, CC Babington, 16.7.1847, det. DJ Ockendon 1967, CGE. Cherry Hinton, abundantly, Gibson,1848,309. Hinton, by the road above the chalk-pit, Bab.1860,49. Cherry Hinton chalk pit, Hb, T Talbot, 1867, det. DJ Ockendon 1967, CGE. Cherry Hinton near Chalk Pit, Cowell Hb, 19.6.1875, IPS. Cherry Hinton chalk pit, JW Carr, 7.1878, DHM. (?Hinton) J Ball in Hb Storey, HAMU. Cherry Hinton Pits, JE Little, 28.8.1878, det. DJ Ockendon 1967, CGE. Cherry Hinton, chalk pits, G Goode, 5.1893, det. DJ Ockendon 1967, CGE. Cherry Hinton, FR Tennant, 6.1897, det. DJ Ockendon 1967, CGE. Cherry Hinton Chalk pit, A Wallis, c.1900, det. DJ Ockendon 1967, det. PD Sell, 1974, CGE. Cherry Hinton, chalk field, SH Bickham, 1.9.1901, det. DJ Ockendon 1967, CGE. Cherry Hinton chalk pit, HD.ann. Cherry Hinton chalk pit, n.c.1.8.1902. Cherry Hinton chalk pit, n.c., 8.7.1903, det. DJ Ockendon 1967, CGE. Cherry Hinton chalk pit A. Wallis, 1906. Cherry Hinton, bank of old chalk pit, EJ Allard, 15.6.1906, det. DJ Ockendon 1967, CGE. Cherry Hinton, ND Simpson, c.1913. Cherry Hinton, IM Roper, 15.6.1924, NMW. Cherry Hinton chalk pit, WH Mills ann. Cherry Hinton chalk pit, JL Crosby, 1939. 1 plant, rough pasture on Lime Kiln Hill, DGH, 1945, CHSB Card index. 2 fl. plants (with Seseli & Bunium), in chalk pits both sides of Limekiln Rd., Pop. map, RJ Pankhurst, 13.7.1971. CHERRY HINTON, WEST SIDE OF LIME KILN ROAD 482.555 2 fl. plants (with Seseli & Bunium), in chalk pits both sides of Limekiln Rd. Pop. map, RJ Pankhurst, 13.7.1971. 13 plants (1 fl) on steep chalk bank at south end of chalk pit (Caravan Club) on west side of Lime Kiln Rd., Pop. map, JC Faulkner, 17.9.1975. 'Lvs and fls have been picked', Caravan Club Nature Trail, Excursion, 11.9.1979. One flowering plant along fence in NE end, and good display of fl. plants on chalk bank at south end of Caravan Club pit. Colour prints, looking NE along boundary fence, and W at S slope. G Crompton, 29.6. & 10.7.1982. Not found on open bank at top of S end of Caravan Pit, c.1985, f. SM Walters, 23.12.1991. Cherry Hinton Caravan Club, 482.556. Through fence at post H, and in Chalk pit at S. end of site. Not seen at H; or in Chalk pit which was much overgrown with scrub and trees. The Nature Trail is closed. No L. perenne seen, only looked on fence edge, K Tucker, 29.6.1990. Cherry Hinton Caravan Club. Searched old site as shown on photograph of 1982 (G Crompton), no plants found: part of area appears to have been cleared of scrub–were plants shaded out and will now reappear? Site approached through closed old Nature Trail path, continued round top along School fence, scrub very dense, but again no plant found where photographed in 1982, at corner of fence slid down bank into path which came out at drinking-water taps etc. G Crompton with Michael Foley, 11.6.1991. CHERRY HINTON, EAST SIDE OF LIME KILN ROAD 484.558 Leave Cherry Hinton on rd. to Gogmagog Hills. L.a. grows betw. large chalk pit on L. and the rd., 484.557, PH Oswald, 16.6.1954. Cherry Hinton Chalk Pit, 1 plot sown in1965 with seed collected on Golf Course, with 40% mortality after 1 year. Ockenden,1967, Table 32; 485.561. Ockendon,1968. [The sowing at Cherry Hinton was not in a very good place and I'd be surprised if there were any survivors now. D Ockendon, in litt.13.12.1991]. 2 fl. plants (with Seseli & Bunium), in chalk pits both sides of Limekiln Rd. Pop. map, RJ Pankhurst, 13.7.1971. Site on working pit to east, not found. Pop. map, JC Faulkner, 17.9.1975. WORTS' CAUSEWAY, CHERRY HINTON 491.548 Abundantly, Junction Roman Road and Worts Causeway, WH Palmer, 7.1939, CHSB Card index 200 metres on roadside verge ? [sic], Ockendon,1968. 200 m. north side of road, 491.547, M Way, Rsv Rep.1974, 85. 3 flowering plants on 1 foot of verge, Pop. map, JC Faulkner, 30.6.1975. Worts Causeway, Cherry Hinton, 491.547, 200m on North side of road, on curve before reaching the Roman Road going West. Designated verge but no posts. 1 small plant of L. perenne well back from road, K Tucker, 29.5-7.6.1990; 491.548, not found, MJY Foley, 11.6.1991. FULBOURN Linum 3. Fulborn Th.M.ann.Meth.-Index Loc.7. Between Hinton and Fulbourn. Relhan,1785;1802;1820. ROMAN ROAD [Wool Street] Fulbourn/Stapleford, 494.544] Wool St., Gogmagog Hills, ES Marshall, 10.6.1885, det. DJ Ockendon 1967, CGE. The practice of carrying away the turf of the Roman Road for use in Cambridge gardens still continues, and threatens several of the Wool-street plants with extinction. The only species not affected are Cnicus acaulis, Poterium Sanguisorba, and Linum perenne, the last-named soon forming very fine plants on the bared places. West,1898,258. Wool St., J.E.W., n.d., Shrubbs ann.. Roman Rd, RH Lock, 23.5.1901. Roman Rd, n.c., 2.6.1904, det. DJ Ockendon 1967, CGE. Roman Rd., A Malins Smith, 6.8.1905. Roman Rd, EM Walker, n.d., det. DJ Ockendon 1967, CGE. Roman Rd, A Malins Smith, 6.8.1909. Roman Road, A Malins Smith, 18.8.1938. Extraordinarily abundant, both sides of Roman Road & on Golf Course, WH Palmer, 1941. Roman Rd nr Cherry Hinton, CD Pigott, 1946, det. DJ Ockendon 1967, CGE. Chalk grassland by the Golf Course, Gogmagog Hills, 496.543, fls pale blue, PD Sell, 61/161, 1961, det. DJ Ockendon 1967, CGE. Total c.30 plants, both sides, Roman Rd., Pop. map, RJ Pankhurst, 6.7.1971. 58 flowering plants over 250 yd length of verge, both sides Roman Rd, Pop. map, JC Faulkner, 2.7.1975. 2 specimens, beside Roman Road, FW Simpson, CS, 8.7.1984. No specimens were found on the adjacent Roman Road SSSI, Sarah Lambert, 19.8.1986. 1 fl. plant on NW side, opp 1st large hawthorn on SE side, Roman Road, G Crompton, 4.6.1987 Only 1 small plant of L. perenne on the NE. side of road, some 20 paces from the Beech trees (L. perenne was flowering freely, through the hedge on the Golf Course on SW side of the road.), K Tucker, 29.5 and 7.6.1990. Golf Course by Roman Road, 38 paces from bench by path, 495.544, JCA Rathmell, 7.6.1997, [R]. SHELFORD ROAD, FULBOURN, NEAR BISHOPS CHARITY FARM 497.548 Cambridge to Cherry Hinton and thence to Shelford Common. 14.5.1830. Henslow Exc. Grass among Corn at the [?]foot of the Gogmagogs. Hinton Ch. to Fulbourn. 1833,Coleman(a),12. (Hinton by the road above the chalk-pit;) and between that place and Fulbourn, Bab.1860,49. Shelford Rd, Fulbourn, JC Faulkner (known to K Cramp since 1945), 1975. South verge of Fulbourn rd. c.80 yds west of track to Bishop's Charity Farm, 42 plants incl. 25 fl. in 12 x 3 yds plus 2 isolated plants 100 yds E., most plants situated well back from carriageway and not seriously affected by first-cut mowing, Pop. map, JC Faulkner, 30.6.1975. Shelford Road, Fulbourn nr Bishops Charity Farm 497.548. I think this should read North verge (not South) of Fulbourn Rd, as it does on the road verges list under same map reference. Some 80 yards West of track to Bishops Farm the verge on the North side of road was not mown for some 100 yards; elsewhere both sides of the road were mown; there were no marker posts. No L. perenne was seen. K Tucker, 29.5.-7.6.1990. STAPLEFORD PARISH PIT, 'LITTLE TREES HILL' 487.528 Little Tree Hill, Gog Magogs, JB Syme, 5.1853, det. DJ Ockendon 1967, CGE. Little Tree Hill, Gog Magogs, RH Goode, 26.6.1906, det. DJ Ockendon 1967, CGE. Little Tree Hill, AS Shrubbs, 8.1916, det. DJ Ockendon 1967, CGE. Little Tree Hill, EA George, 1940. Little Tree Hill, None found, [searched adjacent pit to east !], RJ Pankhurst, Pop. map, 6.7.1971; Still there, fide KV Cramp, 1974. Little Tree Hill, 3 flowering plants in floor of pit, on chalk grassland, surrounded by nettles, etc. following bush clearance now being controlled by annual cutting, Stapleford Parish Pit, Pop. map, JC Faulkner, 23.6.1975. Little Tree Hill, Completely overgrown and neglected except for 1 'Common' Crab Apple planted in floor of pit nr chalk face, mostly Galium mollugo, Pastinaca and some Silene alba. No Linum. G Crompton, 20.6.1988. Pit reportedly cleared of much scrub, summer, 1991; and again in 1998. No Linum found, M Powell, 7.2000. SHELFORD Shelford Common under ye hedge. Henslow ann. l:132. Shelford J.D., 6.5.1830, NTM. Shelford Common, Henslow, Bab.1860,49. Gt Shelford, 27.6.1915, ann.Lee. TRUMPINGTON 1 plant, bottom of old railway cutting, Trumpington, 450.545, GMS Easy, 18.7.1976. TEVERSHAM, AIRPORT WAY 493.584 'Airport Way', One clump in flower, f. PF Yeo, 1988; Teversham 'Airport Way', c.494.585, G Crompton, 20.6.1988, CGE. 1 flowering clump, near base of bank on field side of ditch, Airport Way, c.493.584, G Crompton, 20.6.1988 and 16.6.1989. Rsv, unclassified road 495.579-494.586. Road verge, West side 600 m. Going North some 260 paces after sign to Teversham, 2-3 plants in one clump. No protected verge posts. K Tucker, 29.6.1990. Clump flowering well already at beginning of June 1991, G Crompton. Near base of chalky field bank, separated from rsv by a ditch, Airport Way, Teversham, 493.584, in flower since c.14 May, G Crompton & K Tucker, 28.5.1992. (First recorded here by PF Yeo in 1988), CGE. ditch bank, 49-58-, Airport Way, G Crompton & JM Way, 1992, [R]. 495.582, on bank by ditch, 1 plant, JCA Rathmell, 7.7.1996. 3 or 4 with Ophry api & Dactyl fuc, & Orobanche minor, 176 paces back from Protected Verge notice, 494.584, JCA Rathmell, 8.7.1998. 494.584, one large clump in fl. but begining to be smothered by Rubus. G Crompton, 9.6.1999. 494.584. one good clump in full flower, G Crompton, 21.7.2000. WANDLEBURY Introduction: Varley's Field, 496.535, J Bulleid, C Turner & U3A group, 29.5.2000, [R]. Introduction: large patch, flowers a deep blue, Picnic Field, 497.537, G Crompton, 26.5.2000; C Turner & U3A group, 29.5.2000, [R] 46 H(iston) C(hesterton) Fulb: Fisher ann. Berkenhout,87. 54 A.11: Roadside of A.11 between Stump Cross & Pampisford, Hb Bernard Ward, 24.5.1952, SRD. ['the mileage from London on the A 11 near Hinxton are quite different on the first issue of the 1st Ed. O.S (Sheet XLVII) & the David & Charles reprint–the Stump Cross Milestone E of Hinxton is 46 miles from London in 1805, 44 miles on the David and Charles post 1870 reprint.' f. DE Coombe, in litt.17.6.1991]. A.11, HINXTON 508.454 'Old Cut' [Native] Roadside near Chesterford, towards Newmarket, a little beyond Stump Cross, within, but very near the borders of Essex, S Willett. Gibson,1862. L. per Specimen:... also beside the Road in the Parish of Hinxton.' Maynard MS.14:187,CRO. Hinxton, 1914, Shrubbs ann. both sides of Newmarket Rd. between 14-15th milestones, WH Palmer, 1939, 1940, 1941; abundantly, beside Newmarket Rd, from Hinxton, turning towards Stump Cross, WH Palmer, 7.1939. A.11, just inside Cambs., chalk roadside with Astragalus, Helianthemum, Rosa micrantha, 16.6.1960, SM Walters field notebook. (This locality was worked on by David Ockendon, f.SM Walters). A.11 Trunk road about 1 mile N. of Stumps Cross on the Cambs-Esex border near Hinxton, chalk grassland, flower heterostylous, DJ Ockendon, GB 3, 24.7.1965, CGE. Still there, FH Perring, 1965. c.200 plants on 80 m., Ockenden, 1967, Appx 2, 166. INTRODUCTION A.11 Old Cut (GB3) seeds collected from Gogs Golf Course sown in 4 metre plots on E side of the road, established on banks recently created by widening the A 11 near Hinxton, (GB3), opposite the naturally occurring population on the west side, 508.455 Ockenden, 1967, Table 32, & Appx 2,166, and in litt.13.12.1991. Ockendon,1968. HINXTON, WEST SIDE OF A.11 508.454 Hinxton, 80 yds west side of A.11, 508.454, M Way, Rsv Rep.1974, 85. 100 yards north of Cambs/Essex border, on 150 yds, population of 115+ plants spreading from remaining original site down chalk exposure and establishing on newly-made verge between this and the carriageway. With Hippo com, Poter san, Helianthemum cha etc. Pop. map, JC Faulkner, 25.6.1975. West side: 25-30 clumps fl. Linum, also on old verge amongst scattered bushes. This is a flat area above a low ledge on which Hippo com, Polygala vul, Helia vul, Thymm dru were fl. NR post at S end almost lost in bushes. CP looking N and close-up of Linum. with Hippo com on low ledge. Position and grid ref. corrected: [Error in JC Faulkner's position due to 'County' signs being where boundary swerves from centre of road to west side of road, and not where boundary branches eastwards at 510.461.] G Crompton, 20.6.1978. A.11 between 14th and 15th milestones: West side. Rsv has had soil dumped on it during road works in 1987. 9 clumps between 'Soft verge' sign (at north end), and 50 paces south, roughly opposite where trees end on top of bank on opposite side of road (south end).The verge is now only 4 paces wide between the tarmac and the small bank. This 'new' verge has abundant Cirsium vulgare near the road-side and Arrhenatherum elatius along the middle of it. There is Desmazeria rigida on bare chalk patches. Associated species with the 9 clumps of Linum are: Briza med, Helic pra, Linum cat, Ononis rep, Polyg vul, Poter san, Scabi col. Col. print looking NNE at west side, with a stick at 1st of 9 clumps looking towards 'Soft verge' sign. G Crompton, 20.6.1988. A.11, Hinxton, G Crompton, 20.6.1988, CGE. A.11 EAST SIDE East side: c.50 clumps, large patch of Hippo com at N. end, CP looking S. G Crompton, 20.6.1978. East side: Large numbers of scattered clumps over 70 paces. Assoc species with Linum: Briza med, Helic pub, Trise fla, Oroba ela (in bud); on flat verge: Carex fla, Linum cat, Polyg vul (freq.) and Hippocrepis comosa. Col. print looking SSW with very large patch of Linum by stick. No Helia cha or Thymus pra seen, otherwise rest of Faulkner's species listed on his Pop. map are present. G Crompton, Pop. map, 20.6.1988. MONITORING REPORT: P DAUNT, 3.6.1990 Plants growing on both sides of the road. If at one time there were only plants on the west side, and the eastern group is a sub-colony, it is curious that the eastern plants are so much more numerous–even though, presumably owing to less dry conditions, the western ones are on average larger than the main groups on the east side. East side: The site extends over an area with a flat verge of about 5 yds depth, behind which there is a 10 ft chalky bank topped by a low hedge. Further to the north, where the bank has ceased, the verge widens and continues, without undue overgrowth, at the level of the fields; but there are no Linum there. On the site we can distinguish three subgroups: Subgroup I–on the flat verge, extending over the north and central sections of the main site; Subgroup 2–On the chalk bank, extending over the south and central sections of the main site; Subgroup 3–an isolated, concentrated group to the north of the main site, at the edge of the field where the bank has ceased. The lay-out is like this: Pop. map: Subgroup I: Four plants/clumps, scattered, about 30 fl. showing. Nearby ground plants include Silene vulgaris, Polygala vulgaris, Lotus cor., Linum cat. Many small Crataegus bushes, looking likely to take over; also some Rhamnus cat. (female bush in fl.). Subgroup II: 28 plants/clumps, scattered at north and south of their range, a good number concentrated near the middle of it. About 150 fl. showing. Bank mostly bare, chalk often visible; a few Crataegus and Rhamnus encroaching. Subgroup III: Five mostly large to very large clumps; about 375 fl. showing, over 200 in one clump. Sepals look to me paler and somewhat more pointed than in I and 2; any chance of hybridisation with L. usitatissimum from the field? West side: A little further to the south than the plants on the East side. Verge narrower (3-4 yds), no bank; high hedge of Crataegus, rose, ash etc. Verge grass and undergrowth much more lush than on the east side; ground plants coarser–including Heracleum, ox-eye daisy, Reseda, field poppy, Silene latifolia. Competitive environment, but our guys look cheerful enough. Six clumps, two of which large. About 84 fl. showing. As on the east side, there is a quite extensive area of open broad verge stretching to the north, but without any sign of L. perenne on it. P.Daunt, 3.6.1990. 43 clumps on east side, and 6 on the west side, MJY Foley, 11.6.1991. INTRODUCTION A.11 GREAT ABINGTON 'NEW CUT' 512.466 A.11 New Cut 100 seeds collected from Gogs Golf Course sown 1965; 72% mortality recorded in each plot after 1 year, 512.467, Ockenden, 1967, Table 32 and in litt.13.12.1991. 16+ 12+ seedlings in 15 x 12 ft. area very sparsely colonised, grasses virtually absent. No mature plants found above chalk exposure on 'original' verge grassland so origin of this colony not clear. East side of A.11, in cutting c.500 yds south of Brent Ditch on steep chalk exposure made c.1960, '513.471', Pop. map, JS Faulkner, 25.7.1975. Position and grid ref corrected: 512.466. West side of road: scattered fl. plants almost to end of pines at N. end; 2 large clumps on bank. CP looking N. East side: main colony of c.20 clumps fl on ± bare chalk bank (a few plants towards top of bank), scattered plants on verge. CP looking N, and close up of colony on banks, G Crompton, 20.6.1978. ' Northern Station' (512.466). Whole area is a cutting, with a verge of about 3 yds either side and high banks (c.20 ft) with plenty of chalk showing. A much gloomier picture than at southern site. Western Side: No Linum perenne. On the verge end bank some rose, privet, wayfaring-tree, sycamore. Bank largely smothered in low bramble; Linum cath abundant in gaps, little else. Toward north, two posts (southern one flimsy, northern one stout) half-way up bank, about 60 yds from each other. Could be protected area markers but there is no perceptible difference in the flora between them. Eastern Side: At north end of cutting, bank covered in bramble. On verge, sallow, sycamore, rose, privet; some on bank too. Only Linum perenne on this station near south end of cutting, about one third of way up the bank, on open chalk. Three plants, four fl. showing, over area of 5 yds. P. Daunt, 3.6.1990. 34 clumps on east side, (plus many non-flowering), but none found on the west side, 512.464, MJY Foley, 11.6.1991. A.11, 513.471, none found on east side, MJY Foley, 11.6.1991. ON TRACK TO HILDERSHAM WOOD On Penn Farm track after zig-zag turning, JC Faulkner, c.1950s, f. 5.6.1987. BOURN BRIDGE Pampisford, 520.492 and Bourn Bridge, Gt Abington, 516.480 On the roadside near Bourn bridge in the way from Newmarket, Sir John Cullum, 17.7.177–, ann. Hudson, pp.115-6, WSRO. Linum perenne about Bournbridge plent: Crowe (1807) ann.Hudson,1778.133. ... & near Bourne Bridge, n.c., n.d., SWN. Near Bourne Bridge, T.B., n.d., SWN. Near Bourn Bridge, Hb J Clarke, 7.1851, SWN. Bourn Bridge, GS Gibson; Bab.1860,49. Called a casual here by Evans,1939. On left side of A.11 SW of Four Went Ways, seen only from car, DE Coombe, 1952, ( 'but can't be positive & it might be best to stick to Gibson's record !') DEC in litt. 1991. In chalk grassland, verge on east side of A.11 between North and South Rd. of Abington Land Settlement Association, 516.480, 1955; much disturbed and eroded by road widening, c.1960; not found again, Pop. map, JC Faulkner, 25.7.1975. 55 SIGNAL HILL PLANTATION, BABRAHAM 516.515 Grassland Babraham, forma alba and type, seed of both coll. and card marked, SM Walters, field notebook, 20.7.1960; large proportion of flowers were white when site was shown to Ockendon, f. JC Faulkner, (28.5.1975). Babraham Hall Estate, 500 fls, & Babraham, (GB2), 517.516, v. high mortality observed in seedlings first observed in 1965 & 1966, (>98% in second year), Ockenden, 1967, Appx 2.166 & Table 32, and in litt.13.12.1991. Chalk grassland amongst hawthorn, flowers blue, heterostylous, Babraham Hall Estate, 5m SE of Cambridge, DJ Ockendon, (No. GB2), 24.7.1965; 500 plants, Ockendon, 1967 Appx 2, p 166. Ockendon, 1968. Signal Hill Plantation, c.100 plants fl., hawthorn scrub invasive in E portion of area, plants still flourishing at present in open patches between bushes: assoc. species list incl. Brome ere, Helic pra, Oroba ela, Trise fla, Pop. map, ME Smith, AV Lamb, 15.7.1972; site visited by MES & Mr Rozier and Linum flourishing, 9.1975. Signal Hill Plantation, 1 good clump (not seen since 1972), R, Payne, 1979. Signal Hill Plantation, Permission to visit the site was obtained by 'phoning Babraham Farms. 'Chris' who gave me permission seemed very interested, and volunteered information so that one felt the site was being well looked after. I reached the site by walking the farm track on the SW side of the plantation; on reaching the S. end the contours drop away, and there is an area of grassland some 50 m wide before the arable field is reached, most of the L. perenne plants are concentrated in the SE corner of this grassland in an area some 90m long by 40m wide. It was difficult to estimate the number of individual plants but in an area 10 x 10m over 100 plants were counted, perhaps 8 to 10% of these had white flowers. There was no sign of scrub invasion in this area. On the North side of track between the track and the wood there were 3 large plants and some scrub. Estimate 1,000+ plants of L. perenne, some 8-10% white. K Tucker, between 29.5 and 7.6.1990. Linum in full flower–wide range of 'colours' with 27 clumps pure white and some very pale blue going to deep blue. Grassland apparently 'older' on bank between track and plantation with only a few Linum at E end, K Tucker, DE Coombe, Michael Foley, G Crompton, P.Burnett, C de Jonge, 11.6.1991. (G Crompton and Farm Manager, Chris de Jonge tried to persuade the Swiss Co's Estate Manager, Peter Burnett, not to plant up a small corner of site with additional pretty flowers, and he said he would instead now do so round their pumping station.) Chalk grassland on SW facing slope of Signal Hill, 516.515, G Crompton. Assoc. species list, PH Oswald, L Brown & K Tucker, 18.6.1991. Signal Hill, DA Wells & SM Walters, 22.6.1992, [R]. Seed collected for Wakehurst Place, Kew, DA Wells & G Crompton, 8.1999. NEAR BABRAHAM 523.515 Only 1823. Between Worsted turnpike & Babraham on the cross road to Mr Adeane's. Okes ann.127. 'abundantly by the side of the road at Babraham towards Newmarket .' Maynard MS.14:187,CRO. Borders of lane between Worsted Lodge and Babraham, PW Richards, 19.9.1945. Near Babraham, 10 fls, Ockendon, 1967, Appx 2,166. c.20 fl. plants, east verge of road from Babraham to Worsted Lodge, c.50 yds south of bend/brow of hill, ME Smith & AV Lamb, Pop. map & assoc. species list, 15.7.1972. Babraham, 400 yds both sides of road, 524.516, M Way, Rsv Rep.1974,85. Patch of 50 fls., Babraham Rd., 52-51, Virginia Wimperis, 12.7.1974; c.50 fl. close together on roadside, V Wimperis (CNT Plant Record file), 1974, in litt. 12.7.1974; SE verge of roadside, partly mown: (A) 41 plants and (B) 2 mature plants, 95 yds to NE, all on edge of unmown and close mown parts of verge, with Thalic minus, Pop. map and CP looking SW, JC Faulkner, 25.6.1975. No L. perenne was seen, Babraham to Worsted Lodge unclassified road. 523.515, Road verge, East side, 350 m protected verge marked by posts. (2 visits made). K Tucker 29.5. & 7.6.1990; 523.515, not found, MJY Foley, 11.6.1991. OLD RAILWAY, BABRAHAM c.527.518 Former site of Linum for c.250 yds south of road junction on track of old railway (abandoned 1847), site levelled and cleared c.1963, now covered with tall weed species, Pop. map, JC Faulkner, 25.7.1975. ROMAN ROAD Fulbourn/Babraham, 518.526 25 flowering plants along 80 yds of NE hedgerow, close to hedge, in chalk grassland with hawthorn bushes, Pop. map & assoc spp. JC Faulkner, 27.6.1975; not seen, G Crompton, 6.1988. Roman Road, SE of footpath to Valley Farm 518.526, NE hedgerow, 80 yds in Hawthorn bushes. No L. perenne found here, probably because of crowding out by Hawthorn etc. K Tucker 29.5.-7.6.1990. ROMAN ROAD, FULBOURN/BABRAHAM 523.523, 526.520 Ockendon, Camb. Survey Report, 1965. Present here and at 526.520, V Wimperis, in litt. 12.7.74, 1974, CNT Plant Records file; not found–JC Faulkner, 27.6.1975. FLEAM DYKE Fulbourne, 17.6.1872, Bent. ann. Fleam Dyke near Fulbourn, AS Shrubbs, 28.6.1881, det. DJ Ockendon 1967, CGE. Fleam Dyke. West,1898,251. Fleam Dyke. On the Gogmagogs, the earliest flowers open about April 28th in an ordinary year. West,1898,251. Fleam Dyke Shrubbs ann. Fleam Dyke, AJ Crosfield, 20.6.1906, BM NMW; det. DJ Ockendon 1967, CGE. Fleam Dyke, Evans,1939. FULBOURN ROADSIDE (ROAD TO BABRAHAM) c.511.538, or 512.539, or 512.540 2 plants only, grassy verge of road on chalk, Fulbourn, 511.538, WL Theobold, 6.1953. 40-col. cards. Verge cleared and levelled c.1972, f. JC Faulkner, 1975. Clump, c.2.3m in from verge, Pop. map and Col. prints, G Crompton & R Payne, 8.6.1982. Near turning to Fulbourn Lodge Farm. East side verge. No L. perenne seen. (Probably looked for too far N), K Tucker, 29.5-7.6.1990. No Linum found. Searched site with the help of Pop. map and photos: hedge trimmed back and base weed-killed; verge ± completely disturbed and slit trench made at c.2.3 m. in from road, into which beech, maple, etc. line of trees have been planted. G Crompton CPs, with Michael Foley, 11.6.1991. 56 c.10 plants, rough grassland, by layby, A.14, 3m from kerbstone, S of Devil's Ditch, footbridge, 598.629. G Crompton & J.Bulleid, 23.6.1994, CGE. Still there, G Crompton & M Stanier, 7.2000. 66 NEWMARKET HEATH Linum sylvestre caeruleum, Blew wild Flax: found on Newmarket Heath. Mr. Sare. How,1650,69. Newmarket Heath, How, Phyt. Brit. 1650 [ = First British Record] Linum latifolium sylv... on New-Market-heath,... Merrett,1667,73. Linum sylvestre coeruleum perenne nostras. Wild perenniall blue-Flax: Utriusque semen in Cantabrigiensi agro collegit D. Dale. Ray,1688b,14-15. Linum sylvestre caeruleum procumbens perenne flore et capitulo minora. At Newmarket. Dale ann.Ray,1690:23. Linum sylvestre coeruleum perenne procumbens, flore & capitulo minore. Wild perennial blue Flax, the lesser. Observed by Mr. Dale in Cambridgeshire; the particular place he doth not remember. I my self saw both Species in his Garden, which came of seeds he brought from thence. A praecedente tamen specie differre non sidenter affirmaverim. Ray,1696,220-221; Ray,1724,362. DEVIL'S DITCH, STETCHWORTH Newmarket On the bank of the great Ditch called Devils ditch. Ray,Index Loc. Devil's Dyke, Evans,1939. 2-300 paces (? or yards) SE of A.11, past group of pines, near bottom of dyke on far bank, A Palmer, c.1965. Fosse side in grass on field edge, 625.608, GMS Easy, 7.1969. -------------------------------- According to Evans,1939 it was 'reported, doubtless as a casual from Bourn Bridge and Wisbech (Evans). But see Bourn Bridge above. There are also records of garden escapes, from rubbish tips at Thriplow, 1974, and Kennett, 1980, by GMS Easy.
