EXISTING TREES AND SHRUBS OF EPPING FOREST. 379
Rhamnus catharticus, L. Buckthorn.
Fairly plentiful in the Ching Valley, where it grows at times
to a height of nearly 20 feet, and in one case with a stem two
feet in girth.
Rhamnus frangula, L. Berry-bearing Alder.
I searched for this shrub last spring on the forest at Snares-
brook, where it was recorded by Warner, but without success.
However, hearing that Mr. J. T. Powell had noticed it there in
recent years, I have tried again this autumn, and find that it still
exists in the old position.
Acer campestre, L. Maple.
Scattered about the forest, but most plentifully in the Ching
Valley. There are some trees of a considerable height in the
district north of Connaught Water.
Acer pseudo-platanus, L. Sycamore.
Spreading in many places, chiefly near the outskirts, but also
in the Ching Valley. I do not remember to have seen a pollard,
so that it is probably an introduction of this century. Warner, in
his Plantae Woodfordienses, does not mention the occurrence of the
tree in the forest.
Genista anglica, L. Petty Whin, or Needle Furze.
Very plentiful in the open parts. It seems at home on any
soil, and I think it is spreading.
Ulex europaeus, L. Furze, or Gorse Whin.
Throughout the forest, but chiefly in dry open places.
Ulex nanus, Forst. Dwarf Furze.
I only remember noticing this plant at High Beach and on
Leyton Flats, where it was pointed out to me by Mr. W. Cole,
who has also seen it at Woodford. It was common in Warner's
time, and it is quite likely that it is so now. It appears to vary
in habit and in the wing petals, sometimes approaching U. gallii
in these characters. [I have this autumn (1898) found it abundant
in several districts of the forest, where its late flowering habits
render it very gay and cheerful in the absence of other plants.
The only form hitherto found is the true nanus; I have not yet
seen U. gallii on the forest, although it may exist in the higher
northern parts.—W. Cole.]