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WildBristol.uk - Discovering Wildlife in Bristol

10.) HALORAGACEAE & VITACEAE

HALORAGACEAE

MYRIOPHYLLUM L.

  • Myriophyllum verticillatum L. (Whorled Water-millfoil) - Wetland Very Rare Very rare and mostly confined to species-rich rhynes in the Gordano Valley and Nailsea Moor but has greatly declined in recent years due to a reduction in pristine water quality. Also Discovered at Puxton Moor in 2003, Kingston Seymour in 2012 and Bath in 2010s? [BSBI record]. Formerly occurred scattered elsewhere in the region including: "Shirehampton; Swete, Fl.;" "Near Tortworth, 1883" and more recently near Wickwar, 1980s? [BSBI record] in Gloucestershire and additionally recorded in Somerset at "Tickenham Moor, and between Claverham and Yatton. Ditch in the Portbury marshes, 1899. In the canal at Camerton, 1902. Canal near Bathampton; C. E. Broome. Prior Park ponds, Bath, 1864; [L. Blomefield (Murray, 1896)]; Herb. Henyns." (White, 1912).

  • Myriophyllum aquaticum (Vell.) Verdc. (Parrot's-feather) / Wetland Rare An invasive species, thinly scattered over much of the region where it is found dumped in ponds and rhynes; originating mainly as a result of irresponsible 'rehoming' of aquatic plants after garden pond clearance. Once established it can choke out waterways and the native flora and regenerates readily from the smallest fragments; making the removal of it a difficult and very tedious task. It was banned from sale in the UK in 2014.

  • Myriophyllum spicatum L. (Spiked Water-millfoil) / Wetland Scarce A widespread species; most concentrated around the Levels and Moors where it grows in both ponds and rhynes. Though more tolerant of nutrient enrichment than our 2 other native Water-milfoil's it is still much scarcer than it was formerly.

  • Myriophyllum alterniflorum DC. (Alternate Water-millfoil) - Wetland Very Rare Always rare but now only known from a few ditches on Walton Moor in the Gordano Valley and between Congresbury and Puxton. It formerly occurred in "Ditches near the Channel between Portbury and Portishead, 1904" (White, 1912); at Yate Common where it was discovered in 1922 by ? and more recently (1992) existed near Wick St. Lawrence and in a pond at Charfield.

VITACEAE

VITIS L.

  • Vitis vinifera L. (Grape-vine) - General Very Rare A very rare garden escape or persistent relic in scrubby areas often close to habitation; usually probably the result of abandoned cultivation but some are likely to have been bird-sown. The growing of grapes for the production of home-grown wine has become increasingly popular and even some small-scale Vine-yards have been popping up all over the region.

PARTHENOCISSUS Planch.

  • Parthenocissus quinquefolia (L.) Planch. (Virginia-creeper) / General Scarce A widespread garden escape found creeping and carpeting over walls, hedges and scrub; mainly recorded around Bristol. Once established it becomes quite problematic in marginal habitats and more natural areas as it swamps out the native flora. Originating from North America this plant has been in cultivation in Britain since the 17th Century. It is commonly grown for its bright red autumnal colour and is particularly associated with adorning stone walls in pub gardens and the faces of cottages.

  • Parthenocissus inserta (A. Kern.) Fritsch (False Virginia-creeper) General Rare A rare garden escape growing in much the same places as Virginia-creeper. It is probably under-recorded.

  • Parthenocissus henryana (Hemsl.) Graebn. ex Diels & Gilg (Chinese Virginia-creeper) General Very Rare Recorded for the first time in the Bristol region in 2019 at the University of Bristol's Royal Fort Garden? by R. Bland?. Much less frequently grown than the other two Virginia-creeper's but is becoming more popular in smaller gardens for its smaller leaves and more compact nature.

[this is a CNC record and probably won't check out]

  • Parthenocissus tricuspidata (Siebold & Zucc.) Planch. (Boston-ivy) / General Very Rare Widely grown but rarely recorded. First discovered in our region at Stoke Bishop? in 1992 by ?; from East Central Bristol? in 2010s? by ? [BSBI record]; along a narrow lane between Monk Road and Beauchamp Road, Bishopston in 2022 and at the Bear Pit, Bristol in 2024 (both by D. Peters).