40
except on the paths where Nardus stricta
(Mat-grass) and Danthonia decumbens (Heath
grass) take over. Other heathland plants
still occur, such as Campanula rotundi-
folia (on ant hills), Galium saxatile,
Aira praecox, Hieracium pilosella ssp.
euronotium, H. perpropinquum, Potentilia
erecta , Carex pilulifera , C. hirta,
Veronica officinalis, and the mosses
Hypnum jutlandicum, Campylopus introflexus
and Polytrichum juniperinum. Continuing
along the footpath in front of Thorndon
Hall several patches of the Slender St.
John's Wort (Hypericum pulchrum) were found
in a rough grassy area, and further on,
just past the tumulus-like mound, some
30 plants of the Broad-leaved Helleborine
(Epipactis helleborine) were found in shady
woodland by the fence.
Retracing our steps for lunch, Thorndon Park
proved botanically sterile, all the open
grassland having been recently mown, and
the party, therefore, explored the area
just south of the park. The cornfield
just east of Childerditch Wood provided
a spectacular display of Heartsease,
thousands of plants en masse, all with their
flowers perpendicular to the sun's rays, and
proving a must for the cameras.
The old gravel working pond just south of
Hatch House displayed Ranunculus peltatus,
Potamogeton natans, Oenanthe aquatica,
Carex pseudocyperus, Galium palustre ,
Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Scutellaria galeric-
ulata, Myosotis caespitosa, Eleocharis
palustris, Sparganium erectum, Iris pseuda-
corus , etc .
Just south-east of this pond, on the other