programming, the algorithms were rejigged so 'TL' could be put in as a prefix and the
computer would convert the reference to 5671,2234. Because the new generation of
botanists have not been through these transitional states TL671,234 is regarded by them
as a 6-figure reference, and TL67,23 is a four figure reference - as the first two proxy
figures are letters, but to the older generation they are 8-figure and 6-figure references
respectively.
Solutions
How do we overcome all these problems? As far as identifications are concerned, if you
are a budding botanist and would like to contribute records - the first thing to note is
that to err is human and that we all make mistakes. These can be minimised if we record
together in small groups. Come and join us on some of the Botany Group field trips
advertised on the EFC Program. Age of the recorder is also a problem! Although as we
get older we are more experienced and will have come across more species of plants, we
become more error prone, so it's good to accompany a younger botanist with sharper
eyes and a better memory. Another good tip is to take someone with you who does not
know any plants! -just get them to look out for plants that catch their eye. While you
busy noting the mundane they will often spot the unusual.
How should a budding botanist go about identifying plants? Many people simply try and
match a picture in a book with the plant in the field. This is fine as an initial screen, but you
need to check the textual description and the illustrated detail of the flowers, leaves and
fruits etc. Quite different plants can look superficially the same, and to some people plants
with only a vague resemblance can mislead. To quote some examples: I went right across
the county on one occasion to see a 'Fly Orchid' which turned out to be a Broad-leaved
Helleborine; on another to see a 'Monkey Orchid' which turned out to be the garden escape
Purple Toadflax; and 'Navelwort' which turned out to be Round-leaved Wintergreen. If I
had simply accepted these records at face value they would have led to errors, but in each
of these cases the original recorders were 'offended' and maintained that it was me who
was wrong. Many a time have I been put right in the field by another botanist in our group,
and I sometimes do the same. We accept that it is possible to make mistakes with plants
that we ought to be familiar with. And there are still many plants that even the experts are
uncomfortable with, such as the brome grasses Bromus x pseudothominei versus B.
hordeaceus, and Agrostis castellana/A. stolonifera/A. capillaris/A. vinealis. We can only
do our best and be humble enough to stand corrected when appropriate. To be a serious
botanist however, you will need to buy quite a number of identification guides, and be
prepared to supply a specimen for checking if it's a critical taxon. In the case of the latter
you will need to check with the books as to whether you need particular parts of the plant
for identification. I frequently receive single flowers in a polybag or pressed, with the
expectation that I will be able to identify them.
The following is a resume of recommended identification guides:
12
Essex Field Club Newsletter No. 55, January 2008