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the Purple Moor Grass (Molinia caerulea),
the Tufted Hair Grass (Deschampsia cespitosa),
the Wavy Hair grass (Deschampsia flexuosa) and
Heath Grass (Danthonia decumbens).
The structure of grasses was compared with that
of the triangular stemmed sedges, e.g. the
Green-ribbed Sedge (Carex binervis) and that of
the hairy leaved woodrushes, e.g. Many-headed
Woodrush (Luzula multiflora) as well as the
round stemmed rushes eg the Common Rush (Juncus
conglomeratus) and the Sharp-flowered Rush
(Juncus (acutiflorus) . The Common Cow Wheat
(Melampyrum pratense) was a conspicuous member
of the flora, but perhaps the most interesting
find was a patch of Bitter Vetch (Lathyrus
montanus) which is a very local plant in Essex.
Some early fungi were in evidence and the
Tawny Grisette (Amanita fulva) and the Blusher
(Amanita rubescens) were identified.
In the afternoon we changed the planned visit to
Kingley Wood and went to Hadleigh Castle instead
As we walked towards it we saw a field full of
the pale yellow flowers of the Hairy Buttercup
(Ranunculus sardous). The castle grounds
provided little of interest, except for some
Lesser Calamint (Calamintha nepeta) and some
Fern Grass (Desmazeria rigida) on the walls.
Tony Boniface
Botany in London's East End. 24th July, 1983
Leader - Ken Adams
The plant hunting began at Old Ford Locks where
a yellow Crucifer was spotted growing on the
lock gates. Gerry Heath athletically acquired