On a very hot Thursday in August the Botany section took refuge in the shady paths of Waterworks valley and found many interesting plants that were successfully growing despite the recent lack of rain. It was interesting to see that the Aralia elata Japanese Angelica Tree was in flower, this is a small group of straggly trees that have grown for many years near the pond and it is a mystery how they come to be there. Also recorded was the clump of Acorus calamus Sweet Flag, the only previously known site is at Noirmont. We were intrigued to see some tree stumps had been filled with soil and had been planted up with Asplenium ferns.
Photo: Japanese Angelica Tree and Sweet Flag
We also paid a visit to the meadow at Woodbine where some recent restoration work had been done on the small pond. The result of the work and the soil disturbance was that a stunning plant Butomis umbellatus Flowering Rush appeared in abundance. It was a very welcome sight. Other very much smaller but significant plants appeared were to be found in the muddy margins such as Isolepis cernua Slender Club-rush, Ranunculus hederaceus Ivy-leaved Crowfoot and unfortunately the invasive Azolla filiculoides Water Fern
Photo of Flowering Rush:
Interested in learning more or joining the Botany Section? We’d love to hear from you. Please email botany@societe.je.
Anne Haden
Secretary, Botany Section
