Conservation status: N
First record: Corbyn, 1656
Melampyrum cristatum wild in the woods, it is not described in Gerard, Parkinson, or Joan.Bauhinum. Corbyn,1656.
Melampyrum cristatum flore purpureo Purple headed crested Cow-wheat. In Madingley and Kingston woods, and almost in all woods in this County plentifully, likewise it overspreads all the pasture or common grounds you ride through going out of Madingley to dry Draiton: whence we cannot but wonder that it should not be described or figured by Gerard or Parkinson. Ray,1660,95.
Melampyrum cristatum Crested Cow-wheat. In sylvis Cantabrigiensibus & Bedfordiensibus abunde. Ray,1670:207.
Melampyrum cristatum Crested Cow-wheat. In sylvis Cantabrigiensibus & Bedfordiensibus copiose. Ray,1690,108; Ray,1696,164.
Melampyrum cristatum flore albo & purpureo Crested Cow-wheat. In sylvis Cantabrigiensibus & Bedfordiensibus copiose. Ray,1724,*286.
Melampyrum cristatum flore purpureo Martyn,1727,76.
25
WHITE WOOD
White Wood. Relhan,1802;1820.
In White Wood....M. cristata sparingly. Jenyns,JNH,24.8.1824.
... and White Wood. Henslow ann. l:251.
... White Wood. Bab.ann.Relhan,251
White Wood; SW Wanton, Bab.1860,167.
GAMLINGAY WOOD
Gamlingay wood. Jenyns,JNH,25.8.1824.
Gamlingay wood. Henslow ann. l:251.
Gamlingay wood. Bab.ann.Relhan,251.
Gamlingay Wood, Bab.1860,167.
Gamlingay wood, JSL Gilmour, c.1932.
Gamlingay wood, at least 100 plants, FH Perring, 3.7.1969.
Gamlingay wood, GMS Easy, 1969.
Gamlingay wood, not found, DR Donald, 1980; (formerly in lane along S of Gamlingay Wood, f. DE Coombe).
Gamlingay wood, Peter Walker, the warden, reports that this lane no longer exists and that none have been seen in the wood, July, 1992.
HAYLEY WOOD
Hayley Wood, SW Wanton, Bab.1860,167.
Hayley Wood, RSA List.
Nr Hayley Wood, PGM Rhodes, 1905, CBSC.
Hedge by Hayley Wood, EF Warburg, 1940.
Hayley Wood, eastern margin of wood on field side, 4.8.1947, J Bingley, (f. 10.1991).
Hayley Wood, SM Walters, 1964.
Hayley Wood, Rackham, (1975),
Field side of old railway track, Hayley Wood, N Warner, (photos) 7.9.1977; not found in 1992.
34
Near Royston; D Britten, Bab.1860,167.
35
MADINGLEY WOOD
In Madingley wood, Ray,1660,95. JM.ann.
* Melampyrum cristatum flore purpureo, Purple-crested Cow-wheat, N D. In Madingley Wood, and almost in all other Woods in Cambridgeshire plentifully, CC. Merrett,1667,76.
Madingley in the wood. Ray Index Loc.JM.ann.
In the woods at Madingley, Mr J Sherard, Hb. Du Bois, OXF, ( see BEC Rep.1927,479).
Melampyrum cristatum, flore albo, & purpureo. Crested Cow-wheat. In Madingley, ... Martyn,1732,2:111.
[Melampyrum cristatum..] Madingley wood July 10 1759. Th.M.ann.Meth.76.
Madingley. In and about the Wood, Martyn,1763,Herbat.IV.
M(adingley) W(ood) Fisher ann. Berkenhout,171.
Melampyrum cristatum Crested Cow-wheat. Madingley, and ... Relhan,1785;1802;1820.
Communicated from Madingley wood, Cambridgeshire, by the Rev. Mr. Sutton. Smith,Eng.Bot. (1790)1:41.
Near Cambridge; Josh Smith, 1814, CGE.
Madingley Wood between fields B & C. 1833,Coleman(a),12.
Madingley W. Closes. Coleman(b).
Closes by Madingley Wood; WH Coleman. Bab.1860,167.
KINGSTON WOOD
... Kingston wood, and almost in all woods in this County plentifully, Ray,1660,95. JM.ann.
... Kingstone Wood,... CC. Merrett,1667,76.
Kingston Wood, JM.ann.Index loc.
Kingston, and other woods in Cambrigeshire. Martyn,1732,2:111.
Melampyrum cristatum Kingston Wood Th.M.ann.Meth.-Index Loc.11.
Kingston Wood. Martyn,1763,Herbat.XI.
K(ingston) W(ood) Fisher ann. Berkenhout,171.
Crested Cow-wheat. ...Kingston Woods. Relhan,1785;1802;1820.
Kingston Wood. 1833,Coleman(a),12.
Kingston W. Coleman(b).
Kingston Wood, Bab.1860,167.
Frequent in copses and hedgerows about the Old North Road near Kingston Wood, ...West,1898,255.
Road to Kingston Wood from G.N.Rd, 13.8.1922, Mills ann.
Kingston, Cambridge, E Rothwell, 8.1923, HCMS.
Old North Road, near station, WH Palmer, 1941.
Kingston wood, TG Tutin, 1942.
Abundant on edge of Old North Road, nr Kingston Wood, 319.532, R Hey, 29.8.1971.
EVERSDEN WOOD
Eversden Wood. Relhan,1802;1820.
Eversden, Bab.ann.Relhan,251.
Eversden Wood. 1833,Coleman(a),12.
Eversden W. Coleman(b).
Eversden Wood, Bab.1860,167.
HARDWICK WOOD
Hardwick Wood. Bab.ann.Relhan,251.
Hardwick Wood, Bab.1860,167.
Hardwick Wood, Mrs EM Walker, n.d., CGE.
Edge of Hardwick Wood, AJ Crosfield, 10.9.1907, CGE.
Hardwick Wood by road from Caldecote, 12.7.1916, Mills ann.
Hardwick Wood, AJ Crosfield, 25.7.1916, NMW.
Hardwick Wood, DH Valentine, 1939.
Hardwick Wood, EM Barraud, 8.7.1949.
In a hedge adjacent to Hardwick Wood, 15.7.1949 (Lane going S from SW corner of wood). 352.571. There on 18.7.1952, & also a little farther N on the W margin of the wood; full fl. DE Coombe, Card index.
Hardwick Wood, 15.6.1950, EMB ann.Evans..
On track W side of Hardwick Wood, PH Oswald, 20.7.1953.
NW edge of Hardwick Wood, BA Miles, (1303), 18.6.1957, CGE.
[W] edge of Hardwick Wood, 354.577, PD Sell, 58/209, ('Ubique ad callem in marginem ...'), 18.7.1958, CGE.
On track, W side of Hardwick Wood, GMS Easy, 1970.
Hardwick Wood, c.352.573, 1 or 2 plants, R Nedderman, 1980.
One large plant on inner edge of ditch, west side of BP alongside Hardwick Wood, 353.577, R Payne, 1981, 1987.
Edge of ditch on west side of wood, 4 plants, 353.577, Jean Benfield & G Crompton, c.1990.
St Neot's Road; CEM ann.
CALDECOT
Caldecot; SW Wanton, Bab.1860,167.
In thickets about Caldecot, near Hardwick Wood, W West Jr (J Bot 1898).
...in thickets about Caldecot near Hardwick Wood, etc; like Primu ela it is characteristic of the wooded tracts on the boulder clay in the W. and S.E. West,1898,255.
Caldecote, in lane just S of Hardwick Wood, CD Ovey, 1954, CGE.
Along inner edge of outer ditch to B.P., 80 yard length, south of Hardwick Wood, 352.572, R Payne, 1981, 1987.
Lane just S of Hardwick Wood, 12-15 spikes, HLK Whitehouse, 3.7.1991.
Lane just S of Hardwick Wood, 30 fl. spikes in three groups, 14, 8 8, between 10-40+ paces from 'corner', on bank of ditch by bridle path S of Hardwick Wood, c.352.572, U3A Exc., 8.8.1991.
Lane just S of Hardwick Wood, in fl. 9 June, 1993, JCA Rathmell.
28 plants almost finished flowering, after scrub clearance in Jan. 1994, 351.571, J Benfield, 12.7.1994, [R].
35 plants on SW facing ditch bank by track going S from Hardwick Wood, 352.572, (after management work Feb. 1995) Jean Benfield, 4.7.1995.
Track S from Hardwick Wood on W side of track, ditch bank 70 fl. spikes at 3510.5715, and 44 at 351.571, JCA Rathmell, 31.7.1995.
Hardwick Wood, 35N, C Turner & CFG group, 21.6.1997, [R].
BOURN
Riddy Lane, Bourn c.314.561, 17 flowering plants, in rough grass and low shoots of woody plants on sides of steep ditch N side of lane on boulder clay. But some difficult to see amongst grass, and the side of the ditch nearest the lane had recently been cut.reported by Wildlife Trust's Phase 1 surveyor, end of June –.
Riddy Lane, 313.561 seems to be a more appropriate GR than 314.561, though easterly plants are probably at latter GR. The population was too small to justify collecting a voucher ...no doubt that they were M. cristatum. One was growing through cut grass at S side of ditch, the rest were in the uncut N side or near the ditch bottom. CD Preston & S Yates, 5.7.1992.
Riddy Lane, 313.561, 10 flowern both sides of deep ditch on grassy bridle road, R Payne, 10.7.1992.
Riddy Lane, 3130.5625-314.562, 70-80 fls, the majority very low in the ditch (50 paces beyond the tel. pole) to 314.562 (125 paces from the tel. pole and a few yards before the path bends to the left) with Ophrys api and Dactyl fuc, JCA Rathmell, in litt. 15.7.1996.
Riddy Lane, 316.562, small patch of 3-4, near some Juncus inf, again at the bottom of the ditch, JCA Rathmell, in litt. 15.7.1996.
Only c.10 plants, ditch overgrown, Riddy lane, 314.562, JCA Rathmell, 1.7.1997, [R].
Riddy Lane, 314.562, c.450 fls in ditch and by path for 20 yards, 102-123 paces from tel. pole. JCA Rathmell, 2.8.1998.
Arrington-Longstowe boundary, ditch by FP one plant on N side of ditch, 317.529, 216 paces from the concrete footbridge just where the path leaves the main road: just beyond two ash saplings and growing with Galiu mol, Juncu inf, & Carex otr, also some Campa trachelium en route. JCA Rathmell, in litt. 15.7.1996.
36
...it overspreads all the pasture or common grounde you ride through going out of Madingley to dry Draiton: Ray,1660,95(83); JM.ann.
KNAPWELL
Knapwell; J Carter, Bab.1860,167.
Nr Knapwell, CJ Shepherd, 1939.
Rsv between Knapwell & Knapwell Wood, 33-61-, C Turner, 1975+.
Swansley Wood, ND Simpson, 25.7.1913.
Swansley Wood, JS Turner & EF Warburg, 1936.
ELSWORTH
Loc. ab. east side, also present on west side, Elsworth turning, roadside verge north of A 45 at 305.607-306.610, i.e. from A 45 to entrance of Common Farm. DE Coombe & O Rackham, Aug. 1971.
Rsv NR, Elsworth, 305.606, DR Donald, 27.7.1980.
S of 3 lime trees on west side, and some on east side, [Rsv 89/16], Elsworth, DE Coombe, 8.8.1981, [R].
43 (V.c.19)
Chrishall Wood, 9.1897, WM Palmer, ann.Bab.
Rsv, Gt Chrishall Wood, GMS Easy, 1969.
Between Chrishall and Heydon, G[ibson]. Gibson,1862.
Track between Little and Great Chishill, D. McLintock and his uncle from Barley, n.d.,comm. JG Dony. ('specimen in CGE 1895 A Shrubbs').
Hedgerow, Gt Chishill, 435.385, GMS Easy, 4.8.1970; not found, R Payne, 1.7.1992.
Chalk Rd, Lt Chishill, MV Watson, 1971 & 1974; not found, R Payne, 1.7.1992.
Rsv by former Monkshole Wood, Gt Chishill, 436.384, R Payne, 1979.
44
Along Ickneild Way, 43-42-, ST Jermyn, 1972, (not found by KJ Adams).
45
[?King's] Hedges. JM.ann.
54
LINTON
Linton, Wood. Relhan,1802;1820.
Linton, Bab.ann.Relhan,251.
Near Linton, n.c., Hb CC Babington, 29.5.1835, CGE.
On the way from Abington park to Catley. Bab.ann.Relhan,251.
Hildersham wood, between Abington Park and Catley. Bab.MS.Fl.2:529.
Near Hildersham Wood, JC Faulkner & CNT exc. 1.6.1957, [R].
BALSHAM WOOD
Balsham wood. Smart,1856.
Balsham Wood. Bab.1860,167.
Balsham Wood; EJ, Hb Mrs EM Walker, 1907, CGE.
Balsham; 1907, ET in Shrubbs ann.
ROMAN ROAD
Balsham end of Roman Road, c.
mile, on RHS (reported 6.1953 at Linton Wild Flower Group) via SM Walters.Clearing at edge of Balsham Wood, c.590.498, SM Walters, 7.1953, CGE.
Roman Rd by Borley Wood, 25.6.1923, Mills ann.
BORLEY WOOD
Borley Wood; n.c., Hb CC Babington, 8.8.1854, CGE.
Borley Wood. Bab.1860,167.
covered acres in Borley Wood, W West Jr 1894, (J.Bot 1898).
Borley Wood, HJ Riddelsdell, (J.Bot. 1931, p.312).
Borley Wood, ND Simpson, c.1911.
Edges of Borley Wood but very infrequently, the best spot was at the side of the track leading to the wood by the little bit of coppice [586.471]...if I recall the bit of woodland at the time was little more than a scrubby area and ...there was a fair bit of Viburnum opulus. I was there in the late 1960s. David Horrill in litt. to DA Wells, 7.10.2000. (See also Biol. Flora.)
HILDERSHAM WOOD
Hildersham Wood, SW Wanton, Bab.1860,167.
Hildersham Wood, SH Bickham, 11.9.1901, CGE.
Hildersham Wood, A Hosking, 9.1901, CGE.
Hildersham Wood, CC Mountford, 9.1901, UPP.
FP to Hildersham Wood, RJ Pankhurst, 29.7.1972.
5 m. colony along ditch side by FP to Hildersham Wood, 532.459, R Payne, 1981.
64
CASTLE CAMPS
Castle Camps, Rsv No 89/11 abundant on both sides of road, for c.30 paces, 606.433, R Payne, 1979.
Still present in quantity, Rsv, c.606.433, f. Yvonne Leonard, 30.7.1991.
c.20 flowers on Rsv on RHS of road from Whitesmere Farm to Camps Hall, 604.433, M Strugnall, 7.1991.
40+ between oak and dying ash 604.33, (S side of road), c.20yds uphill from Rsv/NR sign, and c.20 about 50 yds uphill from track on west side of Woolpack Grove, (no Rsv posts), for 10m along north side, few on south side, Rsv near Woolpack Grove, 604.433, R Payne, 1981.
Castle Camps–Whitensmere road, S side, west colony under oak, 604.433, 100+, east colony, 606.433, c.60, DE Coombe, 18.7.1992, ann. 2
" OS map. Melampyrum cristatum 40 at 604.433 (opp. side of that road) c.20 yds uphill from Rsv signpost, and (on same side) at 606.433, c.50 yds uphill from Wool Pack Grove. p.c.from G Crompton to DE Coombe, 27.6.1992.
[100+] under oak (Wood Park Grove TA 1840) c.60 near oak, Vibur lan Cirsi erio. DE Coombe annot. pc. from G Crompton, 27.6.1992.
Rsv 89/11S side of road, 610.432, B Massey & A Conder, 13.7.1992, [R].
Castle Camps Rsv, c.180 at 605.433 & c.250 at 609.432, (200 yds from protected part of road), JCA Rathmell, 28.7.1992; not found at either site, JCA Rathmell, 5.7.1993.
Rsv 89/11, 60-.43-, DA Wells & JM Way, 21.6.1993, [R].
300 plants, Rsv 89/11, 606.432, JCA Rathmell, 4.7.1996, [R].
1 small plant and at least one larger, [near Lordship Farm] 6175.4380, Fanny Harvie, 2.8.1999, [R].
In the lane leading to Langley Wood, 60 or 61-.42-, CNT exc.19.6.1965, [R].
SHUDY CAMPS
Shudy Camps field border Bartlow–Camps End, n.d., Mills ann.
Very local, old railway, Shudy Camps, ME Smith, G Crompton et al, 1975, [now filled in].
'c.30 fls in ditch interesecting old railway, Shudy Camps, 615.455', Jon Tyler, 12.8.1991; Melampyrum not found, G Crompton & DA Wells, 25.6.1992.
' In ditch 6 feet to left [NW] of clump of 3 or 4 poplars, overtopped by Stachys sylvatica', J Tyler, 6.7.1992, sketch map.
5 v. large plants in flower in ditch at right angles to old railway, by group of Poplars, on SE side of old railway, 616.455, 7.1992; conf. G Crompton & M Strugnell, 20.7.1992.
'2–3 plants growing through low bramble thicket at gap in hedge, on NW side, c.20 yards [SE] from Ist pole on SE side, [not far from road at Cardinal's Green], J Tyler, 6.7.1992, sketch plan; conf. 7 flowering spikes growing through Rubus caesius on the NW side of hedge, which is on SE side of old railway, c.45 yards NE of telegraph pole, [2nd pole SW from road], and c.150 yards from road/old railway bridge, [cutting filled in and a grass ley], 619.458, G Crompton & B Jackson, 26.7.1992.
Langley Wood, 1919, WM Palmer ann.Bab.
65
HALL WOOD, WOOD DITTON
Hall Wood. Relhan,1802;1820.
WOOD DITTON PARK WOOD and RSV
Wood Ditton Wood, Relhan,1820.
Wood Ditton, Prof. JS Henslow, 1820, Hb Rev. J. Dalton, YRK:900. [Printed label].
Wood Ditton, L.J., 7.8.1823, 2 specimens, BATHG.
Wood Ditton, Henslow ann. l:251.
Wood-Ditton; J Downes, 19.6.1830, Mus. Henslow, CGE. NTM.
Wood Ditton, Miss Jermyn, Hb JA Power, 29.7.1834, RTE.
Wood Ditton, Hb JA Power, 17.6.1835, RTE.
Wood Ditton, JA Power, 6.1835, Hb. CC Babington, CGE.
Wood Ditton Wood, Bab.ann.Relhan,251.
Wood Ditton. Bab.1860,167.
Edge of field, Ditton Park Wood, 672.573, M Carlile, 8.1953.
One in flower, Rsv, on SE side between Ditton Green & Ditton Park Wood, 665.577, G Crompton, 28.6.1991.
Wood ditch bank, SE side of main gate, Ditton Park Wood, 669.573, Simon Leatherdale, (F.C.), 1991.
Wood Ditton Rsv 89/48, NE side, [sic] 665.577, NP Millar, 8.10.1996, [R].
-------------------------------
Path to Ten Wood, PJ Bourne, 7.1960. [c.66-55-]
Weston Colville. ND Simpson, 17.10.1911.
Streets Farm, W. Wratting, 630.518, 'Mr Long via Mrs Jackson', 4.7.1959, CGE.
'...in Weston Colville this plant grows on just that stretch of roadside which once bordered Moyns Wood, last recorded on a map of 1612.' O.Rackham, 1980, Ancient Woodland, p.85. (Weston Colville Estate Map, CUL, MS Plans 550R). now called Mines Farm, 618.521.
Weston Green; CE Moss, 6.7.1911, CGE.
Weston Green, CEM ann.
Yenhall Wood, West Wratting, Bab.1860,167.
Wood near West Wratting, CE Moss, 7.1908, CGE.
66
Chevelly, J Dalton, 1810. [printed label] YRK:900.
Devil's Ditch; L Jenyns, JS Henslow, 7.8.1823, CGE.
Made an excursion to Wood Ditton, crossing that part of Newmarket Heath called The Links. At Stetchworth Melampyrum cristatum...in full flower. Jenyns,NHJ,6.7.1827.
Devil's Ditch. Winch, add. NBG,1835,150.
Plentifully in a Hedge at Stetchworth by the side of the Road leading to Cheveley near the Devils ditch, rare, S. Hailstone, Sept. 1839; YRK:900. [SH Label].
Stetsworth. (rare omitted) SH Cat..
Stetchworth, S. Hailstone, 1839, [printed label] YRK:900.
Devil's Ditch, near Stetchworth. Bab.1860,167 & Bab.MS.Fl.2:529.
