46.) CARYOPHYLLACEAE - Pink family - Pages

46.) CARYOPHYLLACEAE - Pink family

CARYOPHYLLACEAE - Pink family

ARENARIA L.

Arenaria serpyllifolia L. (Thyme-leaved Sandwort) / General Uncommon Locally frequent in dry open turf in species-rich grassland, unimproved pastures, rock outcrops, banks, drystone walls, anthills, coasts and sometimes arable land on thin soils.
ssp. serpyllifolia The nominate plant with the same range and distribution as the species.
ssp. lloydii (Jord.) Bonnier (Thyme-leaved Sandwort) Coasts Very Rare A dune ecotype; was recorded at Sand Point in 2022 by SRPG and confirmed by K. Walker. It may be expected to occur elsewhere along the coast where the right conditions exist. It differs from ssp. serpyllifolia in having pedicels mostly shorter than (not longer than) the sepals, giving the inflorescences a denser appearance; the capsules are also slightly larger (greater than vs less than 3.5 x 2 mm), less abruptly narrowed at the neck and the seeds are larger (greater than vs less than 0.6 mm).
Arenaria leptoclados (Rchb.) Guss. (A. serpyllifolia L. ssp. leptoclados (Rchb.) Nyman) (Slender Sandwort) / General Uncommon Found in much the same habitats as Thyme-leaved Sandwort but scarcer and possibly overlooked for it. Slender Sandwort can be characterised by its finer more diffuse and upright appearance with conical, straight-sided capsules as oppose to more flask-shaped and with a distinct 'neck'.

MOEHRINGIA L.

Moehringia trinervia (L.) Clairv. (Three-nerved Sandwort) / Woodland Frequent Found in old woodland and hedgebanks where it has a tendency for growing around the bases of trees and shrubs rather than out in the open. It is noticeably absent from the North Somerset Levels and Moors and much of the coastal lowlands and is more restricted to the outskirts of our towns and cities.

HONCKENYA Ehrh.

Honckenya peploides (L.) Ehrh. (Sea Sandwort) / Coasts Very Rare Only found along the strandline at Sand Bay. Formerly rare due to vehicular access but has recovered since access was restricted. According to White (1912) it formerly grew from as high up the coast as Clevedon and Riddelsdell (1948) notes "Thornbury, Gough's Britannia. Clifton area, [C.] wall. Fair quantity a mile below New Passage, 1911, [E.M.] Day. Aust, [J.W.] Haines".

SABULINA Rchb.

Sabulina tenuifolia (L.) Rchb. (Minuartia hybrida (Vill.) Schischk.) (Fine-leaved Sandwort) General Very Rare "The plant has a great liking for railway ballast, not only in this district but in other parts of the kingdom." (White, 1912 [as Alsine tenuifolia]). Only recorded recently on limestone ballast of an abandoned railway line at Radstock, North Somerset where it was first discovered in 1993 by J.P. Martin and last seen in 2007 by ?. Historically it occurred in a number of other localities; the earliest mention of it in our region being from "St. Vincent's Rocks above the new well-house, June, 1773; Sir Jos. Banks" (White, 1912).

1914 Cecil Sandwith Penpole Point, Shirehampton. Herb entered as Minuartia hybrida subsp. tenuifolia

[Perhaps write more on the historical records?]

STELLARIA L.

Stellaria nemorum L. ssp. nemorum (Wood Stitchwort) Woodland Very Rare Recorded at Hartley Wood near Clutton, North Somerset in 2000 by J. Knight. It is also historically mentioned in a list in 'History of Bitton' written by H.N. Ellacombe about 1870 (Riddelsdell, 1948) and recorded in two locations to the north-east of the region in 1980s and 1990s by ? [BSBI records].

[Is the 2000 record trustworthy? Perhaps it was more likely Greater Stitchwort? I seem to remember David saying he found it somewhere?]

Stellaria media (L.) Vill. (Common Chickweed) / General Very Common Abundant and ubiquitous on disturbed and cultivated ground and particularly prominent along pavements and the sides of urban lanes. The earliest record made of this species in our region was from St Anne's Wood, Brislington, Bristol in 1834 by the famous Bristol antiquarian G.W. Braikenridge.
Stellaria pallida (Dumort.) Crép. (Lesser Chickweed) / General Uncommon Frequent on pavements, cobbles, rubble, short well-drained turf and brownfield sites. It appears to have increased since 2000 but this could be due to better recording, though it is still likely overlooked for Common Chickweed. It is marked by its yellowish-green foliage, much more appressed nature, smaller leaves, often absence of petals and fewer stamens (1-3 as opposed to 3-8). This species was historically included as S. media var. boraeana.

[Many more records on BSBI.]

Stellaria neglecta Weihe (Greater Chickweed) / Woodland Uncommon Found "Chiefly on the shady hedgebanks of hollow lanes" (White, 1912), amongst scrub and on woodland edges. It is disproportionately concentrated around BANES and very localised in comparison elsewhere. Plants with glabrous as opposed to hairy pedicels and calyces were formerly separated as var. umbrosa or var. elizabethae and was supposed by White (1912) to be the more frequent form with us but it is no longer recognised today.

[I wonder if some records may be mistakes for Greater Stitchwort?]

Stellaria holostea L. (Greater Stitchwort) / Woodland Frequent Frequent in hedgebanks, along country lane-sides and in open woods; though less frequent on limestone soils and absent from the North Somerset Levels and Moors, much of Bristol and northwards into south Gloucestershire and along the coast.
Stellaria palustris Ehrh. ex Hoffm. (Marsh Stitchwort) 1948 Wetland Extinct Was found in a rough pasture on Nailsea Moor in 1948 by C.I. Sandwith [BMAG]; Thornbury in 1956 by ?; Chew Valley Lake in 1981 by ?; Winscombe, North Somerset in 1984 by ?; Walton-in-Gordano in 1991 by ?; Wrington, North Somerset in 1991 by ?; Kewstoke in 1994 by ?; Lawrence Weston Moor, Bristol in 1994 by ?; and most recently seen here in 2008 by ?. It is very similar in appearance to S. graminea but differs from it in its leaves being glabrous throughout (hairy on the margin near the base in S. graminea and also on the bract and sepal margins) and shorter petals.

[All records other than the 1948 record need checking as they are probably mistakes for Lesser Stitchwort. I saw what I thought was Marsh Stitchwort at Lawrence Weston Moor but it was just Lesser Stitchwort so need to re-visit.]

Stellaria graminea L. (Lesser Stitchwort) / Grassland Frequent Widespread in species-rich grassland, amongst scrub, hedgebanks and along woodland tracks but often avoiding calcareous soils. It is mostly absent from the North Somerset Levels and Moors and the Cotswold Plateau.
Stellaria alsine Grimm (Stellaria uliginosa Murray) (Bog Stitchwort) - Wetland Uncommon Widely scattered and locally distributed in boggy situations, including well-vegetated ditch and stream-sides, river banks, springs and flushes. Mostly found in areas of acidic soils.
Stellaria aquatica (L.) Scop. (Myosoton aquaticum (L.) Moench) (Water Chickweed) /- Wetland Uncommon Localised on the banks of rivers and rhynes and in the drier parts of marshes; most concentrated around the North Somerset Levels and Moors, around Chew Valley Lake and following along the course of the Ladden Brook.

CERASTIUM L.

Cerastium arvense L. (Field Mouse-ear) Grassland Very Rare A very rare species of limestone grassland. Recorded only recently at Henbury in 2002 by ?; Bathampton in 2005 by ?; and Christon, North Somerset in 2010 by ?. It has not been seen in recent years from its long known locality of Loxton Hill, North Somerset, where it was discovered in 1894 by E.S. Gregory.

1920 N.Y. Sandwith limestone outcrop below Lime Breach wood Tickenham [BMAG].

[Latest records need checking.]

Cerastium tomentosum L. (Snow-in-summer) / General Uncommon Widely grown in gardens and purposely planted on stone walls where it is very persistent. It is now widely established on roadsides, dry grassy banks and rock faces.
Cerastium fontanum Baumg. (Common Mouse-ear) / General Common Common in a wide range of grassy places, roadsides, disturbed and cultivated ground, brownfield sites, rocky outcrops and walls.
ssp. vulgare (Hartm.) Greuter & Burdet General Common The nominate plant with the same range and distribution as the species.
ssp. holosteoides (Fr.) Salman, Ommering & de. Voogd Rare Wetland Found in wetter environments than ssp. vulgare such as flushes, marshes and stream-sides; sparsely scattered over the region. Differs from the typical plant in being much less hairy with hairs absent or restricted to one or two lines on the lower stem internodes and confined to the margins or lowerside midrib of leaves.
Cerastium glomeratum Thuill. (Sticky Mouse-ear) / General Common Common in disturbed grassy places, open turf in dry grassland, arable field margins, roadsides, brownfield sites, rocky outcrops and walls.
Cerastium dichotomum L. (Forked Mouse-ear, Forked Chickweed) General Extinct A native of the Mediterranean; recorded at St Philip's Marsh in 1916 by M. Cobbe.
Cerastium diffusum Pers. (Sea Mouse-ear) Coasts Scarce Found in sandy areas along the coast with sparse records inland in sparsely vegetated grassland on thin limestone soils and old quarries.
Cerastium pumilum Curtis (Dwarf Mouse-ear) / General Scarce Rare and very localised on limestone scree slopes, old quarries, rocky outcrops and sparsely vegetated grassland; mostly found in the south-western portion of the region and long known from some sites such as the Avon Gorge.
Cerastium semidecandrum L. (Little Mouse-ear) / General Scarce Localised in thin turf, rocky outcrops, railway ballast and wall tops; predominantly along the coast.

MOENCHIA Ehrh.

Moenchia erecta (L.) P. Gaertn., B. Mey. & Scherb. (Upright Chickweed) Grassland Extinct Formerly occurred on Pennant Sandstone at Keynsham Humpy Tumps where it was last recorded in 1998 by I.P. Green. The site is unfortunately no longer accessible to the public.

SAGINA L.

Sagina nodosa (L.) Fenzl (ssp. nodosa) (Knotted Pearlwort) Wetland Very Rare A rare plant of damp open sandy depressions and boggy situations. Only recently recorded at Dolebury Warren and Weston-super-Mare Golf Course. Historically it occurred on "Boggy ground on the western margin of Siston Common, scattered in fair quantity...Aug. 1906; C. Bucknall...Failand, in boggy ground in the valley above the Tan-pits; D. Fry." (White, 1912); "Little Sodbury, Cope" (Riddelsdell, 1948); and an unconfirmed record was made along a disused railway line at Hallatrow, North Somerset in 1994 by S.L. Myles and P. Quinn. The earliest mention of it in our region was made by Johnson (1634) "Saxifraga palustris alsinefolia. Small water Saxifrage. It grows on Boggs about Bath and divers other places". White Sandwort and Knotted Spurrey are additional names listed by White (1912).
Sagina subulata (Sw.) C. Presl (Sagina hawaiensis Pax) var. subulata (Heath Pearlwort) Coasts Extinct Was reportedly recorded on " 'Sandy fields between Weston-super-Mare and Uphill'; Flora of Weston by St. Brody. An unconfirmed statement; which, in the absence of specimens, it would not be wise to accept. But it should be remembered that, since his time, the correctness of some other of Dr. St. Brody's most unlikely records for North Somerset has been proved; and therefore we are now the more disposed to give him credance for the remainder...I have long held the opinion that it must be present in our district, where we have much suitable ground corresponding to that on which it occurs in South Somerset, etc. It will surely be found eventually." (White, 1912). It was found eventually as a casual at ST57 in 1960s by ? [BSBI record].
Sagina procumbens L. (Procumbent Pearlwort) / General Common Abundant almost everywhere in pavement cracks, car parks, bare ground and short turf, and is one of the first plants to colonise such habitats. The map would appear to show otherwise but this is likely an artefact of recorder disregard due to its ubiquitousness but it does look to be genuinely scarce in the Cotswolds. The var. spinosa (no longer recognised today) was gathered "from Sand Bay, Kewstoke" by E.S. Gregory (White, 1912) and from "New Passage" in 1920 and "Severn shore, Old Passage" in 1924 by C.I. & N.Y. Sandwith (Riddelsdell, 1948).
Sagina apetala Ard. (Sagina apetala Ard. ssp. apetala (Annual Pearlwort) / General Uncommon Widely distributed over the region in cobbles, brownfield sites, rocky outcrops, walls, pavements and dry, sparsely vegetated grassland. The lack of overlap between pre-2000 and post-2000 records suggests it is quite a transient species. This was separated into two species in old texts with S. ciliata (now synonymous) differing in "that the sepals are always closely adpressed to the capsule, not ultimately spreading." (White, 1912). At that time S. filicaulis was not recognised.
Sagina filicaulis Jord. (Sagina apetala Ard. ssp. erecta F. Herm.) (Slender Pearlwort) / General Uncommon Found in much the same habitats as S. apetala and often grows with it but is considered to be slightly more frequent and it is still probably severly under-recorded. The two are easily confused but can be told by the posture and shape of the sepals in fruit - in S. filicaulis they are patent with the outermost subobtuse to obtuse or hooded and in S. apetala they are more erect with the outermost subacute to acute or acuminate. Also S. filicaulis often has red (not white) sepal margins.

[Records of S. apetala ssp. filicaulis need adding here.]

Sagina maritima Don (Sea Pearlwort) / Coasts Scarce Scattered along the coast in gravelly spots, rocky places and cracks in sea walls; also coming inland along salted roads where there is a concentration of modern records along the southern border of the region; particularly around Radstock. These records show that concerted effort would find it more common.

SCLERANTHUS L.

Scleranthus perennis L. (ssp. prostratus P.D. Sell.?) (Perennial Knawel) 1896 General Extinct "I have seen a specimen in the Bath Herbarium so labelled, and localised from Warleigh Common. The specimen is a small one, and too young for certain determination, but after a careful examination by the Rev. E. F. Linton and myself we think that it may be correctly named. Warleigh Common is situated partly in Somerset and partly in Wilts." (Murray, 1896). Peculiarly it is not commented on by White (1912).
Scleranthus annuus L. ssp. annuus (Annual Knawel) Grassland Very Rare Very rare in sparsely vegetated grassland where sandstone rock is exposed. Only recorded once since 2000 - from Keynsham Humpy Tumps in 2007 by H.J. Crouch - where it's long been known since D. Fry first discovered it (Murray, 1896). The site is unfortunately no longer accessible. Otherwise recorded from "Brandon Hill; G. H. K. Thwaites in Swete. Still there; at least a dozen plants in 1892, and twenty in 1909. Abundant on the barer parts of Frenchay Common - sandstone; H. J. Wadlow...Permanent as a weed in one field on Failand...D. Williams...In a cultivated field near Houndstreet...Miss Roper. Dry fields near Hutton; St. Brody. On the railway near Yatton Station...W.E. Green" (White, 1912); Bury Camp, Moorend...1918" [recorded here in 1992 by C. & M.A.R. Kitchen]; casual on a railway siding at Ashley Hill in 1928 by C.I. Sandwith (Bristol Botany in 1928); and "Near Frampton Cotterell, 1939, Welch" (Riddelsdell, 1948).

CORRIGIOLA L.

Corrigiola litoralis L. (Strapwort) 1896 General Extinct "A southern species; alien in this district. A few plants on waste ground near Bath; S. T. Dunn in Journ. Bot. 1896, p. 478" (White, 1912).

HERNIARIA L.

Herniaria glabra L. (Smooth Rupturewort) Coasts Very Rare Occurs on sandy grassy areas along the sea front at Ellenborough Park, Weston-super-Mare where it was first discovered in 1791 by William Sole but was regarded "Doubtless a mistake" by (Murray, 1896) and wasn't even mentioned by White (1912). This highly skeptical record was proven credible after it was discovered at the same location in 1946 by G. Nicholls - at the time the area was occupied by American troops and it was seen again the following year by C.I. & N.Y. Sandwith. After which it was then rediscovered in 1983 by A.J. Byfield and C. & M.A.R. Kitchen. It has been intermittently recorded ever since and in some seasons over 1000 plants have been counted. It has also been found as a casual at Shirehampton tip [now the 'Daisy Field'] in 1961 by P.J.M. Nethercott and a very small population was found on made ground at Avonmouth in 1999 by R.J. Higgins (not seen there since).
Herniaria hirsuta L. (Hairy Rupturewort) 1914 General Extinct "Another rare British plant; alien with us. It grew over a small space on waste ground at St. Philip's, Bristol, in July, 1904" (White, 1912); there again in 1915 by C.I. Sandwith and T.H. Green; on a tip at South Portishead in 1914 by C.I. Sandwith; and Ashton Gate in 1937 by ? [BMAG].

[Also a pre-1930 BSBI record from Bath.]

PARONYCHIA Mill.

Paronychia polygonifolia (Vill.) DC. (Polygon-leaved Nailwort, Many Angle-leaved Nailwort - name translated) - [Sandwith, 1932] General Extinct A native of southern Europe; recorded at a fowl-run on Wee Lane [now Glenfrome Road], Bristol in 1922 by C.I. Sandwith.

POLYCARPON L.

Polycarpon tetraphyllum (L.) L. var. tetraphyllum (Four-leaved Allseed) /- Coasts Rare Formerly very rare and restricted to two separate populations on sparse open sandy soil in the grounds of a school on the edge of Weston-super-Mare in 1997 by R.J. Higgins and D. Lawrence. The area was soon after built on but the plants were translocated elsewhere within the school grounds in 1999. This species is now increasing as a pavement plant; particularly around Bristol.

[Record from Maico Weites, 3.08.25, Denmark St., St. Augustine, Bristol City Centre needs adding. https://observation.org/observation/366662170/]

SPERGULA L.

Spergula arvensis L. (ssp. arvensis) (Corn Spurrey) /- General Rare A formerly widespread but now much declined plant of arable fields; predominantly on sandy acidic soils.
var. arvensis General Rare The nominate variety with the seed's surface covered by clavate papillae and is usually sparsely glandular. This is presumed to be the widespread plant.

[BSBI record of var. vulgaris should be combined here.]

var. sativa (Boenn.) Mert. & W.D.J. Koch - [Sandwith, 1932 as S. sativa] General Extinct A more densely glandular plant than var. arvensis and with seeds lacking papillae; was recorded at Ashton Gate in 1921 by C.I. Sandwith.

SPERGULARIA (Pers.) J. & C. Presl

Spergularia rupicola Lebel ex Le Jol. (Rock Sea-spurrey) /- Coasts Very Rare Very rare and localised along the rocky coastline around Anchor Head, Weston-Super-Mare.

[2005 record from Bristol by Friends of the Avon New Cut is certainly an error probably for either S. media or marina - get rid.]

Spergularia media (L.) C. Presl (Greater Sea-spurrey) / Coasts Scarce Locally frequent along the full length of the coast in saltmarshes and the tidal stretch of the Rivers Avon, Yeo and Axe.
Spergularia marina (L.) Besser (Lesser Sea-spurrey) / Coasts Scarce Locally frequent in saltmarsh and rocky places along the coast. Also occasionally found inland along salted roads.
Spergularia rubra (L.) J. & C. Presl (Sand Spurrey) Grassland Very Rare A very rare plant of bare acidic soils, heaths and colliery. Only recorded in recent years from Rodway Hill (last in 2012 by W. Avery [iRecord]). Formerly also recorded from Bury Hill, Winterbourne, South Gloucestershire; Keynsham Humpy Tumps; Pensford Colliery, North Somerset; and Old Mills Patch, Midsomer Norton.

[1982-1985 Tim Rwiggs Keynsham Humpy Tumps, 1985 Rowland Janes Pensford Mine.]

Spergularia purpurea (Pers.) G. Don (Purple Sand-spurrey) - [Sandwith, 1932 as S. longipes] General Extinct A native of Iberia and Morocco; recorded at Avonmouth Docks in 1931 by H.J. Gibbons [BMAG] (as S. longipes) - a first and only record for the British Isles.

AGROSTEMMA L.

Agrostemma githago L. (Corn Cockle) / General Scarce Frequently included in ornamental seed mixes and sometimes escapes. As the name suggests this species was formerly a frequent contaminant of grain.

SILENE L.

Silene behen L. (Hairless Catchfly) 1941 General Extinct Recorded at Ashton Gate in 1941 by ? [BMAG] and on a tip at Hambrook, South Gloucestershire in 1952 by Major G. MacGeorge (Bristol Botany in 1952).
Silene vulgaris (Moench) Garcke ssp. vulgaris (Bladder Campion) / Grassland Uncommon Widespread in species-rich calcareous grassland, railway banks, road verges and field margins. It has declined.
Silene uniflora Roth (Sea Campion) /- Coasts Rare Locally frequent along the rocky coast of North Somerset. Also found inland on old lead workings at Sandford and once recorded as a garden escape at Bristol in 1987 by ?.
Silene baccifera (L.) Roth (Cucubalus baccifer L.) (Berry Catchfly) 1978 General Extinct Recorded in 1987 according to the Flora of the Bristol Region (2000).
Silene armeria L. (Sweet-William Catchfly) General Very Rare A garden escape. Found at ST57S in 1980s by ? [BSBI record]; a single plant was found on bulldozed soil at Dyer's Common, near Easter Compton in 2000 by R.J. Higgins; and most recently recorded at ST67B in 2010s by ? [BSBI record].
Silene muscipula L. (ssp. muscipula) (South-western Catchfly - Stace) 1932 General Extinct Formerly "Frequent" as an adventive of city docks (Sandwith, 1932); "Several plants on waste ground at St. Philip's, 1904 and 1905" White (1912); Ashton Gate in 1917 by ? [BMAG]; Avonmouth Docks in 1928 by ? [BMAG]; there again in 1939 by ? [BMAG].
Silene stricta L. (Upright Catchfly?, Strict Catchfly? - find common name!) 1922 General Extinct Recorded at Ashton Gate in 1922 by ? [BMAG] and Avonmouth Docks in 1930 by C.I. Sandwith.
Silene coniflora Nees ex Otth (Multi-nerved Catchfly, Coneflower Catchfly?) 1937 General Extinct Recorded in 1937 according to the Flora of the Bristol Region (2000).
Silene noctiflora L. (Night-flowering Catchfly) General Very Rare A very rare plant of arable fields; scattered over the Cotswolds. It is also sometimes included in amenity wildflower mixes.
Silene latifolia Poir. (White Campion) / General Frequent Widespread on roadsides, field margins and brownfield sites.
ssp. alba (Mill.) Greuter & Burdet General Frequent The common plant with the same range and distribution as the species.
ssp. latifolia - [Sandwith, 1932 as Lychnis macrocarpa & Glos. Fl. as Melandrium divaricatum] General Extinct The nominate plant from southern Europe. Differs "in its more finely tapered calyx-teeth and divergent to recurved capsule-teeth" (Stace, 2021); was recorded at St Philip's Marsh in 1916 by M. Cobbe and G.C. Druce [as Lychnis macrocarpa].
Silene latifolia x S. dioica = S. x hampeana Meusel & K. Werner (Hybrid Campion) / General Scarce Scattered over the region wherever the two parents meet.
Silene dioica (L.) Clairv. (ssp. dioica) var. dioica (Red Campion) / General Common Frequent in woodland, hedgebanks, road verges and besides waterways. First recorded in the Bristol region at St Anne's Wood, Brislington in 1834 by famous Bristolian antiquarian G.W. Braikenridge.
Silene coeli-rosa (L.) Godr. (Rose-of-heaven) 1967 General Very Rare A garden escape. Recorded at ST57 in 1967 by ? and at ST57S in 2010s by ? [BSBI records].
Silene pendula L. (Nodding Catchfly) 1979 General Very Rare Recorded on wasteland on Cranbrook Road, Redland, Bristol in 1928 by C.I. Sandwith; "on a blitzed site in Wine Street, Bristol" in 1952 by M.L. Davis (Bristol Botany in 1952); at ST67 in 1960s by ? [BSBI]; and recently recorded at Avonmouth in 2010s by ?; and at ST76E in 2010s by ? [BSBI records].
Silene gallica L. (var. gallica) (Small-flowered Catchfly) General Very Rare Recorded at St Philip's Marsh in 1889 by White (1912) and subsequently. Avonmouth Docks in 1928 by C.I. Sandwith (as S. anglica); Portishead Station-yard in 1903 (White, 1912 [as S. quinquevulnera (a red-blotched form)]); St. Philip's Marsh in 1916 by M. Cobbe; Kingswood in 1932 by C.I. Sandwith; Wapping Wharf in 1932 by H.J. Gibbons; and Shirehampton in 1917 by C.I. Sandwith and recently south of Nailsea in 2000 by P. Quinn; and on a road cutting next to Shirehampton Golf Course in 2008 by H. Welford.

[1928, 1931, 1933, 1957 all Avonmouth Docks BMAG Herb. 2000 Phil Quinn South of Nailsea, 2000 Phil Quinn West End Nailsea, 2008 Hugh Welford Road cutting next to Shirehampton Golf Course, 2008 Peter Hilton Portway A4 embankment above road refers to the previous record in the comment.]

Silene dichotoma Ehrh. (Forked Catchfly) 1932 General Extinct "Rather frequent" (Sandwith, 1932). Kingswood 1880, White (1912); in a clearing at Lime Ridge Wood, near Tickenham in 1920 by C.I. Sandwith; Avonmouth Docks in 1927 by ? [BMAG]; Ashton Gate in 1939 by ? [BMAG]; and there again 1940 by ? [BMAG].
Silene lydia Boiss. (Lydia Catchfly?) - [Sandwith, 1932] General Extinct A native of the eastern Mediterranean; recorded at Baptist Mills, Bristol in 1926 by C.I. Sandwith - a first and only record for the British Isles.
Silene conica L. (Sand Catchfly) 1906 General Extinct Recorded at Ashton Gate in 1939 by ? [BMAG] and at Lamplighter's Marsh in 1994 by Bristol Ecological Consultants [needs checking].
Silene conoidea L. (Large Sand Catchfly) 1906 General Extinct Recorded at St Philip's Marsh in 1904 White (1912); Avonmouth Docks in 1928 by C.I. Sandwith [BMAG]; there again in 1939 by ?; and in a Hedgebank above Tytherington in 1947 by C.I. Sandwith.
Silene subconica Friv. (S. conica L. ssp. subconica (Friv.) Gavioli) (Small Sand Catchfly? - find common name!) 1939 General Extinct Recorded in 1939 according to the Flora of the Bristol Region (2000).
Silene coronaria (L.) Clairv. (Lychnis coronaria (L.) Desr.) (Rose Campion) / General Rare Widely grown in gardens and sometimes escapes.
Silene flos-cuculi (L.) Clairv. (Lychnis flos-cuculi L.) (Ragged Robin) / Wetland Scarce Widespread but localised in wet marshy meadows and ditches. It has declined.

SAPONARIA L.

Saponaria officinalis L. (Soapwort) / General Scarce A widely naturalised introduction on lane-sides and grassy banks, often found close to habitation and usually as the double-flowered state.

VACCARIA Wolf

Vaccaria hispanica (Mill.) Rauschert (Gypsophila vaccaria (L.) Sm.) (Cowherb) General [Brist. Fl. as Saponaria vaccaria & Sandwith, 1932 as Vaccaria pyramidata] General Very Rare Formerly "Frequent on corn-siftings and in chicken-runs" (Sandwith, 1932); Stapleton Road, Bristol in 1911 by C.I. Sandwith; Avonmouth Docks in 1928 by ? [BMAG]; there again in 1936 by ? and 1953 by ?; 1984 by ? Avon Flora Project (last seen there in 1985 and 1986 by A.L. Grenfell); and only recently recorded at Severn Beach in 2010s by ? [BSBI record].

GYPSOPHILA L.

Gypsophila paniculata L. (Baby's-breath) - [Brist. Fl.] General Extinct "An alien well known in gardens. On the old colliery heap between Kingswood and Hanham already several times mentioned as a station for casuals, and on the wall of a pig-sty adjoining; yearly from 1884 to 1889. The heap has since been levelled and the ground enclosed. St. Philip's Marsh, July, 1911." (White, 1912).
Gypsophila elegans M. Bieb. (Annual Baby's-breath) 1922 General Very Rare A native of the Caucasus; sometimes included in ornamental meadow mixes. Recorded as a garden outcast at Bedminster in 1922 by C.I. Sandwith and recently several plants were found on disturbed ground at Blaise Castle Estate, Bristol in 2023 by D. Peters.
Gypsophila muralis L. (Psammophiliella muralis (L.) Ikonn.) (Annual Gypsophila, Cushion Baby's-breath, Low Baby's-breath, Wall Baby's-breath?) - [Sandwith, 1932] General Extinct Recorded at Avonmouth Docks in 1931 by H.J. Gibbons [BMAG].
Gypsophila acutifolia Steven ex Spreng. (Sharpleaf Baby's-breath) 1952 General Extinct Was recorded in 1952 according to the Flora of the Bristol Region (2000).

[I cannot locate this record. It is not in Bristol Botany in 1952.]

Gypsophila pilosa Huds. (var. pilosa) (Turkish Baby's-breath) 1911 General Extinct "An alien from the East; remarkable for its shaggy clothing of long, black, glandular hairs, and long, wavy, hair-like pedicels. St. Philip's, Bristol, on city refuse; a few plants yearly from 1902 to 1906, and a large number in 1909. By the new convent buildings at Henleaze, 1906. On a tip at St. Anne's, Brislington, 1905-6; C. Wall. Portishead Station-yard, 1905-7 and two plants there in 1911." (White, 1912 [as G. porrigens]).

PETRORHAGIA (Ser. ex DC.) Link

Petrorhagia prolifera (L.) P.W. Ball & Heywood (Proliferous Pink) 1889 General Extinct "Alien. A few plants annually for some years (1882 to 1889) on an old colliery heap between Kingswood and Hanham with other casuals, all apparently derived from grain-siftings. Now Gone" (White, 1912 [as Dianthus prolifera]).
Petrorhagia dubia (Raf.) G. López & Romo (P. velutina (Guss.) P.W. Ball & Heywood) (Hayling Island Pink) 1902 General Extinct Recorded in 1902 according to the Flora of the Bristol Region (2000).

[Cannot locate record.]

DIANTHUS L.

Dianthus gratianopolitanus Vill. (Cheddar Pink) / General Very Rare A speciality of the Cheddar Gorge as its only native outpost in Britain but is established on Sand Point where it was first noticed in 1951 by J.A. Appleyard. It was also historically established in the Avon Gorge.
Dianthus plumarius L. (ssp. plumarius) (Pink) 1840 General Very Rare - BRLSI "Alien. Cloister walls, Bristol, June, 1840; Geo. Rogers." (White, 1912) and recently found at Locksbrook, Bath in 2021 by ? [BRLSI].

[Frustratingly the BRLSI website does not seem to be working currently.]

Dianthus deltoides L. (Maiden Pink) 1979 Grassland Very Rare Has only recently been recorded from Siston Common in 2007 and 2008 by C. & M.A.R. Kitchen. Historical records include: "Henbury, 1839; Miss Harvey in Herb. Watson. Cited for West Gloucester (vice-co. 34) in Topogr. Botany on the authority of Dr. G.H.K. Thwaites, who reported plants seen within 10 miles of Bristol ["There is also an 1845 specimen of Miss Harvey's in Hb. Cicr. Coll." (Riddelsdell, 1948)]. His locality in this county (and Miss Harvey's) still remain unknown...Recorded also for North Somerset (vice-co. 6) by Dr. Thwaites; probably from the spot between Keynsham and Brislington described by other observers as follows:-Glen behind Avon Farm near the Ferry, Keynsham; Stephens, Cat. 1835. Keynsham, 1867; C.E. Broome in Herb. Jenyns. Rediscovered in May, 1886 by Mr. D. Fry, who introduced me to his find. In that year it remained in flower until the first week in October. One plant had lilac petals, and there was a small patch with pure white flowers and very pale foliage,=I presume, to var. glaucus L. The petals are by no means always spotted as is stated in some descriptions. I am sorry to add that of late years the plant has become scarce. In the Gardener's Chronicle of 18 Aug. 1883, Mr. Frank Gunning stated that this Pink grew within a few miles of Bristol, and was 'present over several square yards close to where people pass daily'; possibly alluding to the above habitat, but I could not ascertain if that were so." (White, 1912). Also found at Ashton Gate in 1939 by C.I. Sandwith [BMAG]; and at ST56 in 1970s by ? [BSBI record].

[Possibly the 1970s record is the same as the last encountered date refered to in FOTBR.]

Dianthus barbatus L. (Sweet William) / General Very Rare A rare garden throwout. Recently recorded at ST56W in 2010s by ? [BSBI record] and seen as a relic of an ornamental meadow on Horfield Common, Bristol in 2024 by D. Peters.

[1985 2 records by R D Martin, Hursley Hill and South Hengrove (poss same plant tho' on 2 AFP cards). 1990 A P Pockson Nempnett Street, Nempnett Thrubwell. 1990 Kitchens Algars Manor. 2018 CNC recorder Briar Court area Easton-in-Gordano. 2019 CNC recorder Midford Road area, South Stoke]

Dianthus armeria L. (Deptford Pink) 1940 General Extinct Recorded on a bank on Cadbury Hill, Yatton in 1936 by C.I. Sandwith and last seen in 1940.

List:

Arenaria serpyllifolia L. ssp. serpyllifolia (Thyme-leaved Sandwort) / General
Arenaria serpyllifolia L. ssp. lloydii (Jord.) Bonnier (Thyme-leaved Sandwort) Coasts - recorded from Sand Point
Arenaria leptoclados (Rchb.) Guss. (Stace) Arenaria serpyllifolia L. ssp. leptoclados (Rchb.) Nyman (NBN) (Slender Sandwort) / General
Moehringia trinervia (L.) Clairv. (Three-nerved Sandwort) / Woodland
Honckenya peploides (L.) Ehrh. (Sea Sandwort) / Coasts
Sabulina tenuifolia (L.) Rchb. (Stace) Minuartia hybrida (Vill.) Schischk. (NBN) (Fine-leaved Sandwort) General
Stellaria nemorum L. ssp. nemorum (Wood Stitchwort) Woodland
Stellaria media (L.) Vill. (Common Chickweed) / General
Stellaria pallida (Dumort.) Crép. (Lesser Chickweed) / General
Stellaria neglecta Weihe (Greater Chickweed) / Woodland
Stellaria holostea L. (Greater Stitchwort) / Woodland
Stellaria palustris Ehrh. ex Hoffm. (Marsh Stitchwort) 1948 / - re-found by myself at Lawrence Weston Moor Wetland
Stellaria graminea L. (Lesser Stitchwort) / Grassland
Stellaria alsine Grimm (Stace) Stellaria uliginosa Murray (NBN) (Bog Stitchwort) - Wetland
Stellaria aquatica (L.) Scop. (Stace) Myosoton aquaticum (L.) Moench (NBN) (Water Chickweed) /- Wetland
Cerastium arvense L. (Field Mouse-ear) Grassland
Cerastium tomentosum L. (Snow-in-summer) / General
Cerastium fontanum Baumg. (ssp. vulgare (Hartm.) Greuter & Burdet and ssp. holosteoides (Fr.) Salman, Ommering & de. Voogd. - Stace, NBN) (Common Mouse-ear) / General
Cerastium glomeratum Thuill. (Sticky Mouse-ear) / General
Cerastium dichotomum L. (Forked Mouse-ear, Forked Chickweed - GBIF)
Cerastium diffusum Pers. (Sea Mouse-ear) Coasts
Cerastium pumilum Curtis (Dwarf Mouse-ear) / General
Cerastium semidecandrum L. (Little Mouse-ear) / General
Moenchia erecta (L.) P. Gaertn., B. Mey. & Scherb. (Upright Chickweed) Grassland
Sagina nodosa (L.) Fenzl (ssp. nodosa - Kew, GBIF) (Knotted Pearlwort) Wetland
Sagina subulata (Sw.) C. Presl (Stace, NBN) (Sagina hawaiensis Pax - Kew) var. subulata (Heath Pearlwort) - [Brist. Fl., BSBI] Coasts
Sagina procumbens L. (Procumbent Pearlwort) / General
Sagina apetala Ard. (Stace) Sagina apetala Ard. ssp. apetala (Annual Pearlwort) / General
Sagina filicaulis Jord. (Stace) Sagina apetala Ard. ssp. erecta F. Herm. (Slender Pearlwort - Stace, Fringed Pearlwort - NBN) / General
Sagina maritima Don (Sea Pearlwort) / Coasts
Scleranthus perennis L. (ssp. prostratus P.D. Sell.? - Stace, NBN, Kew) (Perennial Knawel) 1896 General
Scleranthus annuus L. ssp. annuus (Annual Knawel) Grassland
Corrigiola litoralis L. (Strapwort) 1896 General
Herniaria glabra L. (Smooth Rupturewort) Coasts
Herniaria hirsuta L. (Hairy Rupturewort) 1914 General
Paronychia polygonifolia (Vill.) DC. (Polygon-leaved Nailwort, Many Angle-leaved Nailwort - name translated) - [Sandwith, 1932] General
Polycarpon tetraphyllum (L.) L. (var. tetraphyllum - NBN, Stace) (Four-leaved Allseed) /- Coasts
Spergula arvensis L. (var. arvensis - Stace, NBN, var. sativa (Boenn.) Mert. & W.D.J. Koch? - Stace, NBN (var. nana E.F. Linton - Stace, var. maxima (Weihe) Mert. & W.D.J. Koch - Stace, var. vulgaris (Boenn.) Rohrb. - NBN - hardly worth recognition - Stace) (Corn Spurrey) - worldwide ours is ssp. arvensis /- General
Spergula arvensis L. ssp. arvensis var. sativa (Boenn.) Mert. & W.D.J. Koch (Corn Spurrey) - [Sandwith, 1932 as S. sativa] General
Spergularia rupicola Lebel ex Le Jol. (Rock Sea-spurrey) /- Coasts
Spergularia media (L.) C. Presl (Greater Sea-spurrey) / Coasts
Spergularia marina (L.) Besser (Lesser Sea-spurrey) / Coasts
Spergularia rubra (L.) J. & C. Presl (Sand Spurrey) Grassland
Spergularia purpurea (Pers.) G. Don (Purple Sand-spurrey - GBIF) - [Sandwith, 1932 as S. longipes] General
Agrostemma githago L. (Corn Cockle) / General
Silene behen L. (Hairless Catchfly - GBIF) 1941 General
Silene vulgaris (Moench) Garcke ssp. vulgaris (Bladder Campion) / Grassland
Silene uniflora Roth (Sea Campion) /- Coasts
Silene baccifera (L.) Roth (Stace, NBN, Kew) Cucubalus baccifer L. (Berry Catchfly) 1978 General
Silene armeria L. (Sweet-William Catchfly) General
Silene muscipula L. (ssp. muscipula - Kew) (South-western Catchfly - Stace) 1932 General
Silene stricta L. (Upright Catchfly?, Strict Catchfly? - find common name!) 1922 General
Silene coniflora Nees ex Otth (Multi-nerved Catchfly - The Jepson Herbarium, Coneflower Catchfly?) 1937 General
Silene noctiflora L. (Night-flowering Catchfly) General
Silene latifolia Poir. (ssp. alba (Mill.) Greuter & Burdet - Stace) (White Campion) / General
Silene latifolia Poir. ssp. latifolia (White Campion) - [Sandwith, 1932 as Lychnis macrocarpa & Glos. Fl. as Melandrium divaricatum] General
Silene latifolia x S. dioica = S. x hampeana Meusel & K. Werner (Hybrid Campion - NBN) / General
Silene dioica (L.) Clairv. (ssp. dioica - Kew) (var. dioica - Stace) (Red Campion) / General
Silene coeli-rosa (L.) Godr. (Rose-of-heaven) 1967 General
Silene pendula L. (Nodding Catchfly) 1979 General
Silene gallica L. (var. gallica - Kew, GBIF) (Small-flowered Catchfly) General
Silene dichotoma Ehrh. (Forked Catchfly) 1932 General
Silene lydia Boiss. (Lydia Catchfly?) - [Sandwith, 1932] General
Silene conica L. (Sand Catchfly) 1906 General
Silene conoidea L. (Large Sand Catchfly - Wikipedia) 1906 General
Silene subconica Friv. (Kew, EDIT) Silene conica L. ssp. subconica (Friv.) Gavioli (old name) (Small Sand Catchfly? - find common name!) 1939 General
Silene coronaria (L.) Clairv. (Stace) Lychnis coronaria (L.) Desr. (old name) (Rose Campion) / General
Silene flos-cuculi (L.) Clairv. (Stace) Lychnis flos-cuculi L. (old name) (Ragged Robin) / Wetland
Saponaria officinalis L. (Soapwort) / General
Vaccaria hispanica (Mill.) Rauschert (Gypsophila vaccaria (L.) Sm. - Kew, GBIF) (Cowherb) General [Brist. Fl. as Saponaria vaccaria & Sandwith, 1932 as Vaccaria pyramidata] General
Gypsophila paniculata L. (Baby's-breath) - [Brist. Fl.] General
Gypsophila elegans M. Bieb. (Annual Baby's-breath) 1922 General
Gypsophila muralis L. (Stace) (Psammophiliella muralis (L.) Ikonn. - Kew, GBIF) (Annual Gypsophila - GBIF, Cushion Baby's-breath, Low Baby's-breath - Wikipedia, Wall Baby's-breath?) - [Sandwith, 1932] General
Gypsophila acutifolia Steven ex Spreng. (Sharpleaf Baby's-breath - Wikipedia) 1952 General
Gypsophila pilosa Huds. (var. pilosa - Kew) (Turkish Baby's-breath - Wikipedia, GBIF) 1911 General
Petrorhagia prolifera (L.) P.W. Ball & Heywood (Proliferous Pink) 1889 General
Petrorhagia dubia (Raf.) G. López & Romo (Stace, NBN, Kew) Petrorhagia velutina (Guss.) P.W. Ball & Heywood (old name) (Hairy Pink - NBN, Hayling Island Pink - Stace) 1902 General
Dianthus gratianopolitanus Vill. (Cheddar Pink) / General
Dianthus plumarius L. (ssp. plumarius - Kew, GBIF) (Pink) 1840 General - BRLSI
Dianthus deltoides L. (Maiden Pink) 1979 Grassland
Dianthus barbatus L. (Sweet William) / General
Dianthus armeria L. (Deptford Pink) 1940 General

Species to add:

Arenaria serpyllifolia L. ssp. lloydii (Jord.) Bonnier (Thyme-leaved Sandwort) - recorded from Sand Point /
Stellaria nemorum L. ssp. nemorum (Wood Stitchwort)
Cerastium dichotomum L. (Forked Mouse-ear, Forked Chickweed - GBIF) /
Sagina subulata (Sw.) C. Presl (Stace, NBN) (Sagina hawaiensis Pax - Kew) var. subulata (Heath Pearlwort) - [Brist. Fl., BSBI] /
Paronychia polygonifolia (Vill.) DC. (Polygon-leaved Nailwort, Many Angle-leaved Nailwort - name translated) - [Sandwith, 1932] /
Spergula arvensis L. ssp. arvensis var. sativa (Boenn.) Mert. & W.D.J. Koch (Corn Spurrey) - [Sandwith, 1932 as S. sativa] /
Spergularia purpurea (Pers.) G. Don (Purple Sand-spurrey - GBIF) - [Sandwith, 1932 as S. longipes] /
Silene latifolia Poir. ssp. latifolia (White Campion) - [Sandwith, 1932 as Lychnis macrocarpa & Glos. Fl. as Melandrium divaricatum] /
Silene lydia Boiss. (Lydia Catchfly?) - [Sandwith, 1932] /
Gypsophila paniculata L. (Baby's-breath) - [Brist. Fl.] /
Gypsophila muralis L. (Stace) (Psammophiliella muralis (L.) Ikonn. - Kew, GBIF) (Annual Gypsophila - GBIF, Cushion Baby's-breath, Low Baby's-breath - Wikipedia, Wall Baby's-breath?) - [Sandwith, 1932] /