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Sunday, 27 February 2011

White Butterbur

This plant, native of Europe, naturalised in UK, but rare, is in Colden Dale. I stumbled upon it today. It is a bit smaller than the common butterbur, but quite spectacular. There are many flowers up now, in a spot well off the usual footpaths.

Frank Murgatroyd in his Flora of the Halifax Parish (1995) has it only in a wood near the Ainleys, Elland, and Bullace Trees Wood, Sowerby. The West Yorkshire Plant Atlas only mentions a site near Storthes Hall, Huddersfield.

If any plant enthusiasts want to see it, I can probably arrange time next weekend to lead an
impromtu HSS walk up to see it, (about 1 hour easy walking,) while it is in flower.

Eight very fresh clumps of frogspawn in one of the silted-up dams there today.

5 comments:

  1. Its a nice plant Steve. Looked it up on line. What day do you fancy going? I can't promise but would like to see it. Joan and Barbara may be interested.

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  2. Sunday afternoon?

    It turns out Frank Murgatroyd did know about this colony. He found it on a HSS ramble according to Brian Waight, but it must have been too late to include in his Flora of the Halifax Parish.

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  3. If there is a planned trip this weekend I wouldn't mind going to have a look - if I can cadge a lift.

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  4. Great, Charlie. I can give a lift from Dudwell on Sunday afternoon.
    Drop me your address in at no 40 and I'll pick you up about 12.40.
    2 more seats in the car.

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