Stinking Hawksbeard
4th February 2007, SundayThis is a plant that became extinct in Britain in the late 1980’s. It has been grown from seeds originally collected at Dungeness and has been planted out there and at Rye Harbour. Plants are being monitored monthly to reveal what factors affect population viability. Last summer Rye had a record count (since the plant was reintroduced) of 47 plants. The original cause of failure was due to Rabbit grazing, but now there is a small Rabbit “proof” exclosure.
Searching for seedlings in the rabbit-proof exclosure
The greatest cause of mortality was drought in May/June, followed by slug grazing over the winter months. The Rye plants, although increasing in numbers, are small producing very few flowers. There seem to be numerous rosettes, spread over a wider area this winter. They have benefitted from the Rabbit proof fencing, but the plot will get too over-grown in the absence of grazing - ivy-leaved toadflax appears to be spreading over the shingle. Another management dilemma!
Brian Banks (Natural England)
Stinking Hawksbeard Rosette