194 THE ESSEX NATURALIST
Brit. gathered by E. Forster in 1835 marked "Below South-End,
non Shoebury Common."
From the foregoing it would seem that until the re-discovery
of this plant in 1948 botanists regarded the species as extinct in
our county. It is gratifying to note that the plant has been re-
discovered in that part of the county (v.-c. 18) where there has
previously only been a doubtful record, thus making this a new
record for the vice-county South Essex.
The recent widespread investigations into the botany of
Essex by members of the Club has shown that there are a very
considerable number of localities to be recorded for new and
unusual plants and it is highly probable, therefore, that this species
may also be re-discovered in North Essex and possibly also in
other parts of South Essex.
FLOWERS IN NORTH-EAST ESSEX
BY PETER LONG
ONE of the most interesting plants of East Anglia is the Yellow
Figwort (Scrophularia vernalis), a vigorous plant of the
hedgerows with bright green, nettle-like leaves and pale yellow
flowers resembling pouches of gold. The lane at Humberlands
holds a deepening glow of Yellow Figwort as the April sun sets.
Many flies and bumble bees are attracted by the pollen held by the
four stamens. This figwort is one of the four British species
of the genus Scrophularia of the order Scrophulariaceae, other
members of which order are the speedwells, musk, rattles and
toadflaxes.
This plant is localised, favouring its own particular lanes, and
there are about six stations for it in Essex. At Humberlands it
has increased this year (1949) owing to the felling of trees and the
cutting of the hedges. The farmer who owns these hedges, unlike
many in Essex, has had the kindly forethought of neatening and
layering them; here Scrophularia vernalis has grown tall and
vigorous. Along the bank and into the hedge itself, growing near
the figwort, is the white-flowered Claytonia perfoliata, its blooms
lying in the saucers of deep green leaves.
In his quaint expressive way, Gibson in his Flora of Essex
states that the Yellow Figwort is found "near a railway bridge
at Ardleigh. . . . Local, but occurring in some profusion and
very fine, on the turnpike road between Colchester and Harwich,
near the 58th milestone from London, in the parishes of Ardleigh
and Lawford, also in a lane at Dedham." The plant still occurs