Senecio paludosus L. Conservation status: CR First record: Dr Bowle in How,1650 Jacobaea angustifolia Pannonica ô laciniata P.668, sed videtur falso describi. Bauhino in Pinace p.131. Jacobaea angustifolia, lanuginosa, ô laciniata montana. Corbyn,1656. Jacobaea palustris altissima foliis serratis Tourn. Inst.485, Conyza palustris Park. Cat. Cant. Virgae aurea sive Solidagni angustifoliae affinis Lingua avis Dalechampii J.B. Hist.280. Martyn,1727,26. Senecio paludosus It is said by Ray to grow on Bardolph Fen [Norf. V.c.28] but I have never found it. 1828. Skrim.MS. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––– W Wilson in litt. to FK Eagle, 12.9.1849, CUL Add.8184. J.Bot.1863. Bennett,1899(b). A Bennett, TNNNS (1911)11:438. Proc. Phil.Soc.16:(1911). GC Druce, BEC Rep. 1919, Suppl. Rep. Wats. Bot.Exch.Club, 1913–4,447. SM Walters on S. paludosus Watsonia (974) 10(1):49–54, and his extensive personal file. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 29 Solidago saracenica... Virga aurea. Saracens confound.: On the five mile Banke neere Whitlesea and between Dudson and Guarthlow. Dr. Bowle. Howe,1650,115. 38 'Between Chatteress & Doddington.' inserted and deleted. JM.ann. Chatteress. Martyn,1763,Herbat.XII. Senecio paludosus Chatteress Fisher ann. Berkenhout,234. S. paludosus Marsh Groundsel, or Bird's–tongue. Chatteress Relhan,1785. Chatteris, ... fens as its stations;... Smith,1800,10:650. Chatteris; J. Martyn. Bab.1860,129. 48 INTRODUCTION 12 six month old plants introduced into First Singing Wash, 477.855, TCE Wells, 1996, [R]. 5 plants survived, 1997; 6 plants survived, TCE Wells, 1998 & 1999, [R]. 6 plants introduced, Triangular meadow, Welches Dam, 469.858, TCE Wells, 1996; 5 plants suvived, 1997; 2 plants survived, 1998; No plants seen, TCE Wells, 1999, [R]. 56 S. paludosus Marsh Groundsel, or Bird's–tongue. Bardwell Fens. Relhan,1785. Burwell Fen, Relhan, quoted in Eng.Botany,650. Bennett,1899(b) (original drawing) 'cannot the inflorescence be more expressed, at least in outline. a large or lower leaf is also wanted. This is one of the rarest plants we have figured, & requires to have all possible justice done to it.' annot. in pencil by ?J.E.Smith. Eng.Bot.650. BM.] Mr Relhan however mentions ... Burwell fens as its stations;... Smith,1800,10:650. ... Burwell Fen, Relhan, (1785) Evans,1911,212. 57 Conyza palustris Marsh Fleabane. We have found it in many places about the Fens, as by a great ditch side near Stretham ferry, &c. Ray,1660,37(55). Conyza palustris Marsh–Fleabane, or Birds–tongue. In the Fen–ditches, and on the banks in the Isle of Ely, but not very frequent; particularly near Streatham–ferry. Ray,1670:79. Conyza palustris serratifolia. About Stretham ferry, in the river and ditches and on the banks. Ray,Index Loc.JM.ann. At Cambridge I mett with Mr Andrews,...After dinner we went to Streatham ferry to find the Conyza Palustris but without effect .. .past by Denny abby on our right ... to the fen. 3m. Here entering the Isle of Ely we could not find the Conyza, nor but few water plants they having cut up the plants to cleare the river;... then... thro streatham...June 28 1722 Dale, Iter Cantab. Virgae aurea sive Solidagni angustifoliae affinis, Lingua avis Dalechampii Marsh golden Rod or Confound; by some Marsh Fleabane or Bird's–tongue. In fossis palustribus earumque aggeribus in insula Eliensi, sed rarius. We observed it near Stretham–Ferry. Ray,1690,49; Ray,1696,81; Ray,1724,176. Jacobaea palustris, altissima, foliis serratis. Marsh Golden–Rod or Confound, by some Marsh Fleabane, or Birds–Tongue. Mr Ray says he has found it in the fen ditches in the isle of Ely; and particularly near Stretham Ferry. I have sought for it several times in vain. Martyn,1732,2:43. [Jacobaea palustris...] Marsh Flea–bane or Birdstong. Lost at Stretham Ferry. Th.M.ann.Meth.26. ? S. paludosus. Stretham Ferry. Martyn,1763,Herbat.XII. Senecio paludosus Stretham Ferry Fisher ann. Berkenhout,234. S. paludosus Mr Husdon admitted it on the authority of Ray; but the place he mentions, near Streatham ferry in the Isle of Ely, has many a time been searched in vain, so that most botanists have supposed something else has been mistaken for it.... It grows in deep inaccessible fens and ditches, flowering in June and July. Smith,1800,10:650. Stretham Ferry: and in the Isle of Ely. Ray. Not found for many Years. Relhan,1802;1820. We have found it in many places about the Fens, as by a great ditch side near Stretham Ferry; Ray. Bab.1860,129. Stretham ferry; Ray. Long lost there. Bab.MS.Fl.2:412. Barraway Wash (formerly, 1789, Barway), Marshall, extinct. Bennett,1899,244. ––––––––––––––––––––––––– Wicken Fen, Rev J Holme, 1800, YRK; n.l., J James, Hb J Wilkinson, 1800, YRK; S.paludosus Wicken Fen, Rev. J Holme, 1800, Hb HJ Wilkinson, [printed label only] YRK:661; HJW Cat. Holme collected at least 6 specimens, incl. the above and in Hb Bennett, and in REI. All of them were gathered between 1800 and 1825 in Wicken Fen. Evans,1911,212. 1)Snailwell with Mr Holme's compliments., 2)Hb A Bennett, 7.1818, 3) Wicken fen Cambrsh. Holmes, Snailwell, Hb HJ Wilkinson, July 1818, BM. [there are a series of letters querying why 'Holmes Snailwell' since Rev W Holmes was not the Vicar at Snailwell, maybe he was staying at Snailwell when he collected it.] CGE. Wicken Fen near Upware. In this Fen, from 1800 to 1825 (and perhaps, to 1838), many specimens were gathered by the Rev. J. Holme ! Bennett,1899(b) Wicken Fen. I have seen many specimens (and posses one), gathered by Rev. J. Holme between about 1820 and 1838 (some earlier?). Since 1857, when it was taken to the Botanic Garden at Cambridge (see Babington's Journal, p. 186), other specimens have been gathered. Bennett,1899,244. Wicken Fen, Rev Holmes, ex herb Wilkinson, 7.1828, CGE. Newbould, Stratton, and I went in a dog–cart to Upware (Cambridgeshire Naturalists' Club), and took a man named Vipon (?) into Wicken Fen, where he shewed us a single plant, with two stems, of Senecio paludosus. It was amongst the sedge, not far from the drain next Upware. 11.8.1857 Bab.Mem.186. On the 11th of last August I saw Senecio paludosus growing in a wild part of the fen between Cambridge and Ely. It was certainly native there, although small in quantity....CC Babington, Phytol.N.S.2:303(1857). Near the Engine House, Upware, W Mudd, 8.1857. Curator Botanic garden, only one root seen & not disturbed, CC Babington. CGE. Nr the Engine House, Upware, W Mudd, Shrubbs ann. Wicken Fen, W Mudd, 8.1857, CGE. Wicken Fen, CC Babington, 8.1857, CGE. Wicken Fen, 1857, Bab.ann. Cambridge Bot. Garden; the original native. n.d., SWN. From a plant in the Botanic Garden, Cambridge, brought from Wicken Fen Aug.1857, by CC Babington, 16.7.1862, (Comm. Arth Bennett, given to ESM 1892), CGE. In 1857 Professor Babington gathered it also in the Fen [Wicken]; but from his journal it would seem only a single specimen with two stems. This is the year it was reported as being brought into the Botanic Garden at Cambridge. Waslant taken? Bennett,1899(b) Wicken Fen, in 1857. Bab.1860,129. Plants transferred from Wicken Fen, in 1857 to Cambridge Botanic garden & those still growing there are believed to be the same, see J.Bot.1863; A Hosking, 7.1901, BM. Since 1857 a few specimens have been found; but I do hope if any one does find it they will let it remain, as the Fen is still undrained, and although perhaps not so wet as formerly, it is still not easily gone over in a wet season. It must have been fairly plentiful here in former years, as I have seen a good many specimens, and others are sure to have been lost or destroyed. Bennett,1899(b) Hort. Cambridge Botanic Garden, A Hosking, 7.1901, BM. Cult. probably from Wicken Fen, Cambridge Botanic Garden, SH Bickham, 9.9.1901, CGE. Cult. Underdown Ledbury, probable origin Wicken Fen 3.8.1912, 26.7.1913, SH Bickham, CGE. BM. There is good reason to believe the root came from Wicken Fen, cult. Ledbury, SH Bickham, 27.7.1913, BM. Cult. probably from Wicken Fen, Cambridge Botanic Garden, SH Bickham, 21.7.1916, CGE. Cult. Underdown Ledbury, probable origin Wicken Fen SH Bickham, 18.7.1917, CGE. INTRODUCTION: 50 plants introduced around an old pond, Verrall's Drove, Wicken Fen, 555.704, TCE Wells, 1992; 13 plants have survived, 1996, 11 plants survived, 1997; 6 plants survived, 1998; TCE Wells, [R]. 3 well developed plants in flower, over 2m high, T Pankhurst & TCE Wells, 10.7.2000. (T Pankhurst in litt. 24.11.2000). INTRODUCTION: 10 one year old plants introduced to edge of ditch, by brick pits at NE end of Sedge Fen Drove, Wicken Fen, 559.707, TCE Wells, 1997; 7 plants survived, 1998;1 in flower and one in bud, near brick pit, G Crompton, 4.7.1998, [R]; 6 plants survived, TCE Wells, 1999, [R]. ––––––––––––––––––––– STUNTNEY c.3 plants with 2 flowering stems, north side of road 2 miles out of Stuntney towards Soham opposite S end of layby (old road), 568.768; in ditch, D Dupree, 18.7.1972. 10 shoots incl. 6 fl. stems in 5 clumps, G Crompton, 19.7.1974. 6 shoots incl. 5 fl. stems in 4 clumps, RW Mellors, 4.8.1975. 7 shoots in 4 clumps, RW Mellors, 9.8.1976. 8 shoots incl. 4 fl. stems in 5 clumps, G Crompton, 28.8.1978. 24 shoots incl. 22 fl. stems in 5 clumps, L Farrell, and D Donald, 11.7.1979. 41 large fl. stems & a few small ones, in 2 groups, (c.7'3" tall), Col.slide, L. Farrell et al, 6.7.1982. 51 fl. stems in 3 clumps, a few 'seed' heads left on lower branches & a few fls open. One head of seed had only two ripe achenes, black and shiny. G Crompton & I Weston, 23.9.1983. 82 fl. shoots in 3 clumps, L Farrell, 9.8.1984. Ditch on east side of A.142, NW of Delph Bridge, Stuntney, 568.768. Over 40 shoots, mostly in seed, in 5 clumps in 12m. Water in ditch looked low and stagnant. Pop. map, G Crompton, 22.9.1985. 52 shoots in 2 clumps, L Farrell, 19.9.1986. Two plants in flower, a number had been beaten down by heavy rain & wind, some had closed flower buds which may flower later, 28.7.1988; MG Rutterford in litt to SM Walters, 31.7.1988. Ditch by A.142 road, near Stuntney, (Somebody had cut off this inflorescence and thrown it in the ditch). [Grid ref. not given.] Plant 120 cms. Stem pale yellowish–green, tinted brownish–purple, greyish with woolly hairs. Leaves 40–150 x 4–15 mm, yellowish–green above with midrib often slightly bluish–purple, grey–green beneath with woolly hairs. Capitula 35–45 mm in diameter. Involucral bracts 9–10 mm, pale yellowish–green with scarious margins. Ligules 15–17 x 2–3 mm, deep yellow. P.D. Sell, 88/345, J.G. Murrell, 2.8.1988, CGE. 16 shoots incl. 3 fl. stems, in 1 clump, L Farrell, 30.8.1988. 13 shoots incl. 7 fl. stems in 1 or ?2 clumps, C Birkinshaw and W.S., 18.1.1989, (5.7.1989). Senecio paludosus gives case for alarm, particularly with respect to the decline in the number of groups. The entire British population now grows in c.1m x 1m, C Birkinshaw, 21.2.1990. In ditch filled with Typha, CP, G Crompton, 1990. c.27 in one clump, G Crompton & M Way, 23.7.1992 [R]. 23 fl. stems in one patch, JCA Rathmell, 2.8.1992. 6 fl. stems in one clump in overgrown ditch with Typha etc, G Crompton, 12.8.2000. INTRODUCTION 12 two year old plants introduced into ditch (near original site), 565.773, TCE Wells, 6.1995, [R]. 'Both' plants have disappeared, probably due to rabbit grazing, TCE Wells, 1997, [R]. 58 Senecio paludosus Littleport. Relhan,1785. Littleport,... Relhan, quoted in Eng.Botany, p.650. Bennett,1899(b) Mr Relhan however mentions Littleport, ... fens as its stations;... Smith,1800,10:650. –––––––––––––––––––– Very plentiful at the junction of the New Lark & the New Cam about 2 miles from Ely. [Prickwillow bridge] Mr Eagle 1801. Turner 1805,ann.1:62. BM. Isle of Ely, 2 specimens gathered by Dawson Turner are in Winch's Hb. LINN; Bennett,1899(b) & J.Bot.1899. Roydon Fen, Cambridgeshire, Rev. L Jenyns, 1826,... it is likely the specm was gathered by him [L Jenyns] or Henslow, but Henslow generally gathered it below Ely in the West Fen and especially from Padnal fen where before 1830 it was fairly abundant. A. B[ennett], CGE. Padnal fen, near Ely, just within the borders of Cambs, Wm Marshall of Ely, Hb Hanbury, 1831, BM. Gathered at Ely, but since extinct. W Marshall, n.d., K. Ely – bank of river above the town, near Barway Bridge, L.J., 31.7.1833, BATHG. Ely, JS Henslow, 31.7.1833, CGE. Near Ely Prof Henslow 31.7.1833, NTM. Three miles below Ely in 1833, Henslow. Bennett,1899(b) Specimen in Salt Hb. Sheffield, Ely 31.7.1833, gathered by Henslow, or W Marshall who gives Padnal Fen and Barraway Washes as localities elsewhere about the same time. Evans,1911,212. Padnal Fen; W.Marshall. About three miles below Ely, in 1833!; Henslow. Bab.1860,129. Found a few years since in West Fen, Ely ! by W.M. Bab.1860; but in J.Bot. it is stated 'I never found it but once & that in Methwold Fen, Norfolk' W.M. (CNHS). Padnal Fen near Ely, W Marshall, 'Ely Mow Fenn or Padnell' on map of 1789. Barraway Washes, W. Marshall. Bennett,1899(b) Barraway Wash, extinct. W Marshall, J.Bot.1899. Between 1878–1883 Bennett states 'on the authority of Mr Wilton of Soham,' that 11 specs were discovered – last records. Evans,1911,212. S. paludosus Isle of Ely, 2 sp., Winch herb. at Linn. Soc.; Bennett, J.Bot. (1899) 37:244. 66 The spec. in Relhan's herb. is from Chippenham. See Topog. Bot. 640. Bab.ann. 67 INTRODUCTION 14 plants planted at 2 sites, Kingfisher bridge, 5473, 1997; all plants have disappeared, TCE Wells, 1998, [R]. 40 * Conyza palustris P. 1232. In the Ditches betwixt Wisbeech, and by Gyhorn in the Isle of Ely. Merrett,1667,29.
