dormant in the soil, perhaps for many tens of years, and the gross disturbance during
clearing may have prompted the germination of these seeds. This is almost certainly the
case for some of the rushes, it is well established that species such as soft rush (Juncus
effusus) lie dormant as seeds for many decades until the conditions for germination and
subsequent growth are met with once again. The dormancy may also be applicable to
species such as St Johns wort (Hypericum pulchrum) as this species was noted growing
in Lords Bushes in the late nineteenth century (25).
It is noticeable that many of the species recorded from the burnt and disturbed area
are typical of lowland heathland, among them the rushes Juncus articulatus and J.
squarrosus, the sedges Carex binervis, C. demissa and C. echinata, the grass Aira
praecox, birdsfoot vetch and water pennywort. If one takes into account the presence of
ling (Calluna vulgaris) and other species such as heath bedstraw (Galium saxatile),
heath grass (Sieglingia decumbens) and purple moor grass (Molinia caerulea) one has
the representatives of what is probably a relict heathland flora. Many of these plants are
likely to have occurred on the plains in Lords Bushes when actively managed as wood-
pasture. The present flora compares very favourably with the flora of Tiptree Heath in
Essex (27). Tiptree Heath is only a fraction of a former vast inter-manorial common but
with far fewer trees than Epping Forest, heath being the dominant feature. It was, none
the less, wood-pasture and this could explain the similarities in the flora.
(4) Flora of Knighton Lane
This area includes the narrow strip of disturbed ground that runs the length of
Knighton Lane and also a small patch of grassland currently being invaded by oak scrub
and bramble (possibly kept at bay until recently by rabbits, now not found in Lords
Bushes). The ground bordering the road was I believe dug up during pipe-laying in the
1960's and the flora as a result of this is mainly a weed flora: Japanese knotweed
(Polygonum cuspidatum) is increasing, while gorse (Ulex europaeus) has greatly
declined and is now just about extinct here. Some holly was cleared from along this edge
in 1980.
(5) Flora of the Northern Edge
There are large numbers of garden escapes and obviously deliberate plantings. This
area abuts gardens along its entire length and rubble, garden refuse, and quite often
whole plants, such as excess rhizomes of iris (Iris germanica) find their way into this
edge of the woodland. Among the more interesting of these are summer Snowflake
(Leucojum aestivum) an uncommon introduction in Essex. Also uncommon in Essex,
the sedge (Cyperus longus) is a fairly recent acquisition for Lords Bushes, apparently
from a garden pond. Other typical garden plants found here include lilac (Syringa
vulgaris), honesty (Lunaria annua), hollyhock (Althea rosea) and daisy (Leucanthemum
maximum). Two typical garden weeds found along here are bindweed (Calystegia
sepium) and another non-native, though long established, introduction is ground-elder
(Aegopodium podagraria).
Some native plants are also of interest, lesser celandine (Ranunculus ficaria, oc-
curring as both subspecies bulbifer and ficaria) is to be found growing in a great leafy
mat to the east of the Kings Place entrance to Lords Bushes and also near here occurs
the solitary primrose (Primula vulgaris) plant to be found in Lords Bushes. Ramsons
(Allium ursinum) grows in a ditch either side of the entrance to a garden near the
playground, and thus is possibly introduced. Perhaps the most enigmatic species in
Lords Buhes is the rare (in Essex) wall lettuce (Mycelis muralis). Lords Bushes is ap-
parently only the third known site in Essex for this species but there is a strong colony
about the entrance to the old primary school.
(6) Flora of Forest Edge
This recording unit consists mainly of the trimmed roadside verge that runs the
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