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WildBristol.uk - Discovering Wildlife in Bristol

38.) ONAGRACEAE - Willowherb family

ONAGRACEAE - Willowherb family

EPILOBIUM L.

  • Epilobium hirsutum L. (Great Willowherb) / Wetland common The most common Willowherb in the region. Strongly likened to wet ground besides ponds, lakes, rivers and ditches, damp woodland rides, verges and field margins but just as frequent on drier ground away from these sites. "White-flowered plants have been found by Mr. D. Fry by the riverside near Newton St. Loe; in a field-ditch between Marksbury and Houndstreet; and in a hedge-bottom at the latter place." (White, 1912). Apple Pie and Codlings and Cream are local names to Gloucestershire (Riddelsdell, 1948).

  • Epilobium hirsutum x E. parviflora = E. x subhirsutum Gennari (Great x Hoary Willowherb) 1926 General Extinct Recorded in the Gordano Valley in 1926 by ? [record inputed by P.R. Green from SERC] and at ST78 in 1960s by ? [BSBI record].

  • Epilobium hirsutum x E. montanum = E. x erroneum Hausskn. (Great x Broad-leaved Willowherb) 1893 / General Extinct Recorded at Corston, North Somerset in 1894 by J.W. White and Determined by J. White.

  • Epilobium parviflorum Schreb. (Hoary Willowherb) / General Common A frequent species but rarely ever occurring in quantity; likened to winter-wet places besides ditches but just as frequent in disturbed places such as derelict ground and at the bases of walls.

  • Epilobium parviflorum x E. montanum = E. x limosum Schur (Hoary x Broad-leaved Willowherb) 1978 - General Very Rare Recorded only recently at Portishead in 2010s by ? [BSBI record] and on Wellington Hill, Bristol in 2023 by D. Peters but historically recorded on a number of occasions: at Lime Breach Wood, Tickenham, North Somerset in 1921 by C.I. Sandwith; Bristol in 1927 by G.C. Druce; Clifton Bridge railway station in 1931 by H.S. Thompson and determined by E. Drabble; by the tow path under Leigh Woods in 1934 by C.I. Sandwith; Bristol. Hb. Butt...Near Bristol University, 1938, Bell. (Riddelsdell, 1948); at ST67 in 1960s by ?; and at ST76? in 1978 by ? [BSBI records].

[I'm presuming the last record is the same as the last given date. Need to find out.]

  • Epilobium parviflorum x E. tetragonum = E. x palatinum (Hoary x Square-stalked Willowherb) General Extinct Historically recorded at Hotwells in 1931 by H.S. Thompson.

  • Epilobium parviflorum x E. obscurum = E. x dacicum Borbás (Hoary x Short-fruited Willowherb) 1961 General Extinct Historically recorded from a roadside ditch between West Harptree and Chew Stoke in 1941 by C.I. Sandwith; at ST47 in 1960s by ?; and at ST78 in 1960s by ? [BSBI records].

  • Epilobium parviflorum x E. roseum = E. x persicinum Rchb. (Hoary x Pale Willowherb) 1954 General Extinct Historically recorded in 1954 according to the Flora of the Bristol Region (2000).

  • Epilobium parviflorum x E. ciliatum = E. x floridulum Smejkal (Hoary x American Willowherb) 1961 General Very Rare Only recently recorded at Lansdown, near Bath in 2010s by ? [BSBI record]. Historically recorded at Avonmouth Docks in 1935 by C.I. Sandwith; at Weston-in-Gordano in 1951 by C.I. Sandwith; at Walton Moor in 1961 by N.Y. Sandwith; at ST67 in 1960s by ?; and at ST78 in 1960s by ? [BSBI records].

  • Epilobium montanum L. (Broad-leaved Willowherb) / General Common A frequent species of disturbed ground, gardens, pavements, woodland, hedgebanks, quarries, lane-sides and road verges.

  • Epilobium montanum x E. tetragonum = E. x haussknechtianum Borbás (Broad-leaved x Square-stalked Willowherb) 1912 General Very Rare Was recorded in a garden in Redland, Bristol in 2021 by D. Peters and historically recorded in 1912 according to the Flora of the Bristol Region (2000). Both species commonly occur together and it is probably overlooked.

  • Epilobium montanum x E. obscurum = E. x aggregatum Čelak. (Broad-leaved x Short-fruited Willowherb) 1912 General Extinct Historically recorded from Bristol (no date) by A.F. Devonshire and determined by G.M. Ash (specimen in London Natural History Museum); in 1912 according the the Flora of the Bristol Region (2000); and recorded from ST57 in 1960s by ? [BSBI record].

[Possibly two of the records are the same.]

  • Epilobium montanum x E. roseum = E. x heterocaule Borbás (Broad-leaved x Pale Willowherb) 1912 General Extinct [on NBN as E. x mutabile Boiss. & Reut.] Historically recorded from Clifton in 1904 by J.W. White and determined by E.S. Marshall (specimen in London Natural History Museum); and last seen in 1912 according to the Flora of the Bristol Region (2000).

  • Epilobium montanum x E. ciliatum = E. x interjectum Smejkal (Broad-leaved x American Willowherb) 1981 General Extinct Recorded at Avonmouth Docks in 1935 by C.I. Sandwith; Portishead in 1938 by J.P.M. Brennan; by a path below Proctor's Fountain, Clifton in 1961 by N.Y. Sandwith; at ST67 in 1960s by ?; at ST68 by ?; at ST78 by ? [BSBI records]; and last seen in 1981 according to the Flora of the Bristol Region.

[1938 record in Bristol Botany in 1938.]

  • Epilobium lanceolatum Sebast. & Mauri (Spear-leaved Willowherb) - General Uncommon An uncommon species of open disturbed ground such as walls, old quarries, derelict ground, roadsides, railway banks and woodland rides; particularly on pennant sandstone. It was first recorded both locally and nationally from Glen Frome, Bristol in 1847 by G.H.K. Thwaites.

[I've never seen it!]

  • Epilobium lanceolatum x E. tetragonum = E. x fallacinum Hausskn. (Spear-leaved x square-stalked Willowherb) 1912 General Extinct Recorded in our region in 1912 according to the Bristol Region (2000).

  • Epilobium tetragonum L. (Square-stalked Willowherb) / General Common A frequent species of disturbed places such as gardens, allotments, pavements, derelict ground, tracks, quarries, walls and hedgebanks. Long-podded Square-stalked Willowherb is an alternative name given by White (1912).

  • ssp. tetragonum General Common The nominate form with the same status and distribution as the species.

  • ssp. lamyi (F.W. Schultz) Nyman (Square-stalked Willowherb) General Extinct Formerly recorded as E. lamyi. Historical records as given by White (1912): "Old colliery waste between Kingswood and Hanham; gathered in 1886 but not determined until much later. Hanham, 1890; D. Fry. Several plants at Fox's Wood Quarries ear Brislington 1891 and subsequently...; D. Fry. Waste ground at Corston, 1890 to 1894; D. Fry. Near Bath, 1895; Herb. Burr...The species was not recognised in this country until 1853. It is, however, no longer ambiguous, but can be clearly distinguished from E. tetragonumby its glaucous lanceolate more acute and less strongly dentate leaves, and larger flowers. The leaves are very shortly stalked, and decurrent on the stem not by prolongation of the limb but from the edges of the petiole". It is best told from ssp. tetragonum by the shortly petiolate leaves which are more oblong-lanceolate rather than narrowly oblong. It is surprising that no botanist has recorded it since.

  • Epilobium tetragonum x E. obscurum = E. x semiobscurum Borbás (Square-stalked x Short-fruited Willowherb) 1912 General Extinct Historically recorded from Brislington, Bristol in 1890 by D. Fry (specimen in London Natural History Museum); and last encountered in 1912 according to the Flora of the Bristol Region (2000).

  • Epilobium tetragonum x E. ciliatum = E. x mentiens (Square-stalked x American Willowherb) General Very Rare Recorded twice from Bristol by D. Peters - in a garden in Bishopston in 2021; and at the base of a wall on the corner of Cotham Road meeting with Hampton Road in 2023. Both species commonly grow together and it is probably overlooked.

  • Epilobium obscurum Schreb. (Short-fruited Willowherb) /- General Uncommon An uncommon species; usually occurring in damp shaded spots at the bases of walls, besides ditches, woodland rides, road verges and derelict sites. White (1912) gives the alternative name Short-podded Square-stalked Willowherb.

  • Epilobium obscurum x E. ciliatum = E. x vicinum Smejkal (Short-fruited x American Willowherb) 1961 General Extinct Recorded in 1961 according to the Flora of the Bristol Region (2000).

  • Epilobium roseum Schreb. (Pale Willowherb) - General Scarce A scarce species; found scattered over the region at the bases of walls, on roadsides, along woodland rides, old quarries and derelict ground. White (1912) gives the alternative name Small-flowered Smooth Willowherb.

  • Epilobium ciliatum Raf. (American Willowherb) / General Frequent A frequent species, originating from North America; first recorded in our region at Portishead Dock in 1936 by N.Y. Sandwith and J.P.M. Brenan. It is now well-established on disturbed ground such as at the bases of walls, along railway lines, roadsides, quarries and woodland rides. It is often the most common species to be met with in urban areas. White-flowered plants sometimes occur.

  • Epilobium palustre L. (Marsh Willowherb) - Wetland Scarce A scarce species; strictly localised in species-rich, swampy, marshy places. Most concentrated around the Somerset Levels and Moors. White (1912) gives the alternative name Narrow-leaved Marsh Willowherb.

  • Epilobium brunnescens (Cockayne) P.H. Raven & Engelhorn (ssp. brunnescens) (New Zealand Willowherb) General Very Rare A very rare introduction; first recorded in our region at ST57 in 1940s by ? [BSBI record]; old railway station at Silver Street, Midsomer Norton in 2000 by A. Wood; Bendle Combe, Tyntesfield in 2011 by S. Ford; found extensively naturalised on Stoke Park Road outside the University of Bristol Botanic Garden in 2013 by R.J. Higgins; Chew Valley Lake in 2010s by ?; Burrington in 2010s by ?; Walton-in-Gordano in 2020s by ? [BSBI records]; and most recently found well established over moss, soil and paving in a front garden on Muller Road, Bristol in 2025 by D. Peters.

CHAMAENERION Ség.

  • Chamerion angustifolium (L.) Scop. (Rosebay Willowherb) / General Common Common over most of the region except for the Levels and Moors; occurring along field margins, scrubby pastures, hedgebanks, railway lines, roadsides, woodland clearings and derelict ground. It is well known for being a quick coloniser of recently cleared ground - "the curious power this plant possesses of suddenly appearing in strange fashion upon newly dug soil, or after a heath or woodland fire, in places where it had never been observed before." (White, 1912). And was also known to pop up among the ruins after blitzes during WWII, giving it its other name 'Fireweed'. A combination of its tiny wind-borne seeds carried far and wide and incredibly long seed-bank, enable it to build up an invisible widespread distribution in the soil; ready and waiting for the right conditions to come to light. "A white-flowered form is reported as plentiful by Mrs. Woodford" from "woodland about Tortworth Park." (White, 1912).

ZAUSCHNERIA C. Presl

  • Zauschneria californica C. Presl (Epilobium canum (Greene) P.H. Raven ssp. canum) (Californian Fuchsia) /- General Extinct Was formerly naturalised on rocks by the public conveniences at Sand Point where it was first noted in 1994 by M.A.R. & C. Kitchen and R.A. Barrett, and confirmed by E.J. Clement. Last seen in 2005 by P.R. Green.

GAURA L.

  • Gaura lindheimeri Engelm. & A. Gray (Oenothera lindheimeri (Engelm. & A. Gray) W.L. Wagner & Hoch) (Lindheimer's Beeblossom) General Very Rare Recorded at Ashton Gate Primary School, Bristol in 2012 by E. Hewins.

[Recorded just as Gaura though this is the most likely species. Probably get rid.]

OENOTHERA L.

  • Oenothera glazioviana P. Micheli (Large-flowered Evening-primrose) / General Frequent Our most frequent Evening-primrose; widely established on grassy banks, roadsides, railway banks, derelict ground, walls, pavements and sand dunes. First recorded from our region at Bristol in 1938 by C.I. Sandwith.

  • Oenothera glazioviana x O. biennis = O. x fallax (Intermediate Evening-primrose) General Very Rare. Recorded at Keeds Lane, Long Ashton (one plant) in 2016 by Somerset Rare Plants Group; at Clifton in 2010s by ?; at Hallen in 2010s by ?; at Yate in 2010s; and most recently at Marshfield in 2020s by ? [BSBI records].

  • Oenothera glazioviana x O. biennis x O. cambrica (Large-flowered x Common x Small-flowered Evening-primrose) General - 1 BSBI record Recorded at Bath in 1990s by ? [BSBI record].

  • Oenothera glazioviana x O. cambrica = O. x britannica (Large-flowered x Small-flowered Evening-primrose) General Very Rare Recorded at Batheaston in 2010s by ? [BSBI record].

  • Oenothera biennis L. (Common Evening-primrose) / General Uncommon Formerly a rare introduction, this species has made a marked expansion in range in recent years - aided by its popular use in gardens where it often escapes and becomes established on pavements, roadsides, derelict sites and along railway lines.

  • Oenothera cambrica Rostański (Small-flowered Evening-primrose) / General Scarce A widespread but sparsely scattered introduction of roadsides, banks, derelict ground and sand dunes; only concentrated along the coast from Sand Bay to Uphill.

  • Oenothera stricta Lindeb. ex Link (Fragrant Evening-primrose) - General Rare Sparsely scattered over the region as a casual but only permanent on the dunes at Sand Bay where it has long been known in the vicinity - "Uphill sand-hills, 1877; T. F. Perkins. Sands between Weston-super-Mare and Uphill; only three plants seen there in 1880. Mr. Borrer had got it at Weston many years before; Syme in Engl. Bot. There were certainly no gardens on that bit of coast in those days, and when I saw the plant cultivated about villas newly built on the ground I thought it had been procured from the sands." (White, 1912 [as O. odorata]).

  • Oenothera laciniata Hill (Cut-leaved Evening-primrose) - [Sandwith, 1932 (as O. sinuata)] General Extinct A native of North America. Historically recorded (as O. sinuata) at Bedminster in 1922 by C.I. Sandwith; Boiling Wells in 1919 by Mrs Wedgwood; and Ashley Hill in 1927 by C.I. Sandwith.

  • Oenothera indecora Cambess. (Argentinian Evening-primrose?, undecorative Evening-primrose?) - [Sandwith, 1932 (as O. argentina)] General Extinct A native of South America; recorded (as O. argentinae) at Avonmouth Docks from 1923-1928 by C.I. Sandwith - a first and only record for the British Isles.

  • Oenothera rosea Aiton (Rosy Evening-primrose) - 1 BSBI record General Extinct A native of Central & South America; recorded at ST57 pre-1930s by ? [BSBI record].

CLARKIA Pursh

  • Clarkia amoena (Lehm.) A. Nelson & J.F. Macbr. (Godetia) General Extinct Recorded at Hartcliffe, South Bristol in 1985 by R.D. Martin.

FUCHSIA L.

  • Fuchsia magellanica Lam. (Fuchsia) / General Rare Commonly grown and occasionally gets bird-sown on walls or gets discarded. The nominate plant is probably unknown. Only the species is mapped.

  • var. gracilis (Lindl.) L.H. Bailey (Fuchsia) General Rare Widely grown. With narrower more drooping sepals. This is presumably the plant which the majority of records of bird-sown plants refer to.

  • var. macrostema (Ruiz & Pav.) Munz (Fuchsia) General Very Rare Probably the most widely grown plant (often sold as 'Riccartonii'), with fatter buds and wider sepals which are less drooping and more patent. It is said not to self-sow but one plant was found growing out of a stone Wall on Wellington Hill, Horfield, Bristol in 2023 by D. Peters.

  • var. molinae Espinosa. (Fuchsia) General Very Rare With pale pink flowers. Recorded on two occasions by D. Peters - bird-sown on a stone wall of the Unitarian Burial Ground, Bristol City Centre and in an underpass beneath the M32 near Eastville Park in 2024.

CIRCAEA L.

  • Circaea lutetiana L. (Enchanter's-nightshade) / Woodland Frequent Frequent in woodland, hedgebanks, lane-sides and shaded spots in gardens but becoming scarce on the Levels and Moors. Var. cordifolia was recorded as a "Garden weed" at Clifton in 1928-9 (Riddelsdell, 1948) but it is no longer recognised.

Species to add:

  • Epilobium parviflorum x E. tetragonum = E. x palatinum (Hoary x Square-stalked Willowherb) /
  • Epilobium tetragonum L. ssp. lamyi (F.W. Schultz) Nyman (Square-stalked Willowherb) - Brist. Fl. /
  • Epilobium tetragonum x E. ciliatum = E. x mentiens (Square-stalked x American Willowherb) /
  • Epilobium brunnescens (Cockayne) P.H. Raven & Engelhorn (New Zealand Willowherb) /
  • Gaura lindheimeri Engelm. & A. Gray (Oenothera lindheimeri (Engelm. & A. Gray) W.L. Wagner & Hoch - Kew, GBIF) (Lindheimer's Beeblossom - GBIF) - 1 record (just as Gaura) /
  • Oenothera glazioviana x O. biennis = O. x fallax (Intermediate Evening-primrose) /
  • Oenothera glazioviana x O. biennis x O. cambrica (Large-flowered x Common x Small-flowered Evening-primrose) - 1 BSBI record /
  • Oenothera glazioviana x O. cambrica = O. x britannica (Large-flowered x Small-flowered Evening-primrose) - 1 BSBI record /
  • Oenothera laciniata Hill (Cut-leaved Evening-primrose) - [Sandwith, 1932 (as O. sinuata)] /
  • Oenothera indecora Cambess. (Argentinian Evening-primrose?, undecorative Evening-primrose?) - [Sandwith, 1932 (as O. argentina)] /
  • Oenothera rosea Aiton (Rosy Evening-primrose) - 1 BSBI record /
  • Clarkia amoena (Lehm.) A. Nelson & J.F. Macbr. (Godetia) - 1 record /
  • Fuchsia magellanica Lam. var. gracilis (Lindl.) L.H. Bailey (Fuchsia) /
  • Fuchsia magellanica Lam. var. macrostema (Ruiz & Pav.) Munz (Fuchsia) /
  • Fuchsia magellanica Lam. var. molinae Espinosa. (Fuchsia) /

Species which could occur:

  • Epilobium parviflorum x E. brunnescens = E. x argillaceum Kitchener
  • Ludwigia grandiflora (Michx.) Greuter & Burdet (Water-primrose)
  • Oenothera biennis x O. cambrica (Common x Small-flowered Evening-primrose)
  • Fuchsia cordifolia x F. globosa = F. 'Corallina' (Large-flowered Fuchsia)