Edited by A. M. Paul MISSOURI BOTANICAL APR 0 6 2015 THE GARDEN LIBRARY BULLETIN OF THE BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL SOCIETY NATIONAL FIELD MEETINGS We stopped for lunch in a clearing at Cubo de la Galga, and Tim Pyner explain to distinguish the different species of laurels. A few of us fought our way brambles to see the waterfall, but San Andres Michael Radley We made our way to the local town of San Andres for refreshments. From the cafe we could see many ferns growing out of the walls and even non-native ferns growing out of a roof drainpipe. A brief visit was made to the church to admire their impressive nativity scene - over 15 feet high and set within a lava rock backdrop covered in local flora. We then walked down a steep road leading to the coastal path, past many houses sporting collections of potted plants that included ferns, mostly Nephrolepis, and orchids. The seafront was deserted; there were well-maintained but empty car parks and an abandoned garden with an empty eroding swimming pool. A small derelict landing stage was incorporated into a wild garden perched on the rocky edge of the Atlantic, with a raised walkway linking to a panicle lookout point, but all had seen better days. The dullness of the dark grey volcanic rock was punctuated with flora, including ferns such as Cyrtomium , probably C.falcatum, growing from the cliff retaining walls, tolerant of sea spray. As a reminder of the place’s past, stood what looked like a preserved kiln, though the harder mortar stood proud where the interior’s soft red bricks had been eroded by the weather. A few ferns grew within the structure. The group travelled down to the tiny village of Monte de Luna in the south-east of the island. After a steep walk uphill between small houses and a stony vineyard where Anogramma leptophylla was seen in a roadside wall, we reached the edge of the lava field where there was a marked and well maintained footpath. This led through areas that had suffered forest fires at various times so the vegetation was quite variable over just a mile or two, being open lava field in some places, pinewood in others and quite lush re-growth where forest fires had been recent. Davallia canariensis and Pteridium aquilinum were common but there was a good representation of xeric ferns also. Notholaena marantae subsp. subcordata (now Paragymnopteris marantae ) was the commonest of all the ferns but large numbers of Cosentinia vellea and Polypodium macaronesicum were also seen. Less common were Cheilanthes guanchica (now Allosorus guanchicus), Asplenium octoploideum and A.filare subsp. canariense. After a small colony of Ophioglossum lusitanicum was found and members ‘got their eye in’ for this tiny fern, several colonies were seen at the sides of the footpath. p.m. Tim Pyner After lunch the group continued walking along the track until it intersected with a rocky gully. A slight change in habitat indicated by large patches of Polypodium macaronesicum Evans who put together our species/site list and to Tim Pyner who helped a great deal with plant identification, and not just ferns! Ferns seen in La Palma, Canary Islands, January 2014 11th 12th 13th 14th 16th La Galga ! ■8 1 Los Tilos SbmNu^el 1 By El Paso Visitor Centre J 1j 1! | La Tosca i 1 3 4 0 \ \ \ 1 i \ Adiimtum capillus-veneris + - - A. ratManumWSi - - A. renifonne ^ + + + Anrtgramtna leptnphylla + + - - Asplenium aureum (A. ceterach group) f ? A. filare subsp. canariense + + A h^minnitis + + A. monanthes - A. octoploideum (A. ceterach group) - • A nnnptorU + + - + + + A septentnonale + A. trichomanes subsp. quadrivalens + - + + + C. maderensis (=Allosorus pteridioides) - Christella dentata - Cosentinia vellea subsp. bivalens ■ - - Cystopteris diaphana + - C. dickieana? (C. fragilis group) ♦ Davallia canariensis f f - + 4- - - Diplazium caudatum - • + 4- + Dryopteris oligodonta 4 + + Notholaena marantae subsp. subcordata + + ♦ — Ophioglossum lusitanicum - Polypodium macaronesicum • - 4- + h + - - + - Pteridium aquilinum + • + 4- + Pteris incompleta + + P vittata + Selaginella denticulata + - 4 - + + Trichomanes speciosum Woodwardiaradicans "T hr ♦ ITALY -19-25 May in* litis We returned to the hotel where we were treated to a sumptuous ‘aperitivo’. Enzo Liliana, our guests of honour, were presented with tokens of our gratitude for all they done to make the trip such a delight. We also gave Paul Ripley a book and tee-shu remind him of Capo di Ponte in thanks for the sterling work he had done in planning Ferns seen in Italy, May 2014 19th 20th 21st 22nd 23rd 24th Capo di Ponte | 1 ! 3 3 , Lago Moro 1 I s 8* s § I j Grumello (Loveno) 1 1 2 j I Vecchio Mulino 1 Presolana | 1 1 Adiantum capillus-veneris + + + Asplenium adiantum-nigrum - + - + + A. x altemifolium A. ceterach - + + A. lepidum A. ruta-muraria + + + + + + + + + + + A. trichomanes agg. + A. trichomanes subsp. hastatum + + Athyriumfilix-femina + + + + + + ill! 19th 20th 21* 22nd 23rd 24th — Capo di Ponte 1 <3 | ! s l ! Acquebone i I 1 Grumello (Loveno) 1 s '1 Lago d'Iseo Vecchio Mulino | i I 1 1 Blechnum spicant 4 Botrychium lunaria Cystopteris fragilis + + + D P x iss , e ri P Dryopteris borreri - - D. cambrensis + - 4 - - 4 4 D. carthusiana + - 4 4 D. x convoluta ? D. x critica • D. dilatata + f - + - D. filix-mas + - + - - - 4 + ■ D. remota * Equisetum arvense - ■ - 4 + + + 4 E. ramosissimum + E. telmateia - Gymnocarpium dryopteris - G. robertianum - Huperzia selago - - Lycopodium annotiuum - L. clavatum 4 Matteuccia struthiopteris 4 4 Oreopteris limbosperma 4 Osmunda regalis 4 Phegopteris connectilis - + 4 - 4 + Polypodium cambricum ? - P. inteijectum - 4 P. vulgare • + - 4 - - + Polystichum aculeatum - 4 4 P. x bicknellii P. braunii - + P. lonchitis P. x luerssenii - P. setiferum + Pteridium aquilinum + t + - ^Z subsppineto -" — Selaginella helvetica + - Thelypteris palustris + 15 clambering down to check for any ferny residents. The only new find was a Polypodium interjectum growing at its base. The previously overcast sky cleared, creating a gorgeous afternoon with views over the valley, and we basked in the sunshine. The final destination of the day and weekend was to Sue and Brian Dockerill’s home in Pontypridd, where we were treated to tea and cakes along with the opportunity to explore their stunning garden. The garden was excellently divided into sections using many features including a running stream, an inherited stone wall and mature trees. There was an impressive display of plants sitting very comfortably amongst ferns. Their excellent collection of ferns was well labelled and recorded in a twenty-four page document giving tallenging opportunities o i charm and character to tl spots were the greenhouse and polytunnel, which were waiting { residents. The weekend concluded with Bryan Smith gi\ Brian for making the meeting such a success due to their a choice of sites giving us a good range of ferns. Thank you. WHITBY & NORTH YORK MOORS, NORTH YORKSHIRE - Saturday 13th - Egton Bridge & East Arnecliff Wood This meeting was very much a tribute to Ken Tre hugely knowledgeable pteridologist and fem enthusiast, \ Dryopteris affinis group, to a considerable extent based on his studies of the rich fem flora of his native Yorkshire. We had good attendance (and good weather), and the group met at Egton Bridge station (45/804053), then split into two, alternating the morning and afternoon sessions. In the morning my group visited East Arnecliff Wood (45/794047), not more than a mile from Ken’s home and which he had extensively surveyed. The first stop was close to the road where, in a site with some limestone, we found Polystichum aculeatum, P. setiferum and a candidate for the hybrid (previously confirmed by Ken). Although spores were few, Bruce Brown confirmed that it was very likely the hybrid, P. x bicknellii. We also found here Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris dilatata, D.filix-mas, and surprisingly, Blechnum spicant. We also noted robust Equisetum arvense with pronounced secondary branches. Following a track further through the wood, we found Polystichum setiferum, Dryopteris horreri (including the form ‘insolens’, a large plant with well-separated elongate, lobed, almost stalked pinnules), and plants previously identified as D. x complexa ( D . affinis x D.filix-mas ) and D. critica (D. borreri x D.filix-mas). Under an overhanging boulder, we found both Trichomanes speciosum gametophytes and sporophytes. There are probably more plants of Trichomanes in these woods than in the whole of the rest of the UK! Also in this area were Hymenophyllum tunbrigense, Asplenium scolopendrium. Polypodium interjectum and Oreopteris limbosperma, in addition to species seen previously. We were shown Dryopteris carthusiana and its hybrid with D. dilatata, D. x deweveri. We detoured by a steep bank to see Dryopteris dilatata and D. x ambroseae, the hybrid with D. expansa. All these hybrids had been confirmed and extensively studied by Ken. Kate Trewren’s garden, Egton Bridge Jesse Tregale Christine Mullins, Michael Radley, Roger Golding, Kate Trewren, Michael Wilcox, Alison Evans, Rob Cooke, Bob Brown tumbles, and we had sight of an adder who unexpectedly was reluctant to leave its basking spot, despite the large party of noisy pteridologists. Bruce Brown led us to see several strongly growing Dryopteris cambrensis, allowing the experienced members of the group to summarise its defining characteristics. Further scrambling through light woodland took us to a group of D. affinis subsp. paleaceolobata. Sharing some similarity with D. cambrensis, of which we had brought fronds, this was the perfect opportunity to study the distinctions between them. Unfortunately, this was also of great interest to the local midges, and we retreated back into the open to enjoy a well-earned lunch. Refreshed, we headed up the stream quickly finding two further horsetails: Equisetum fluviatile and E. telmateia. This route led us to a plant identified by Ken as a Dryopteris * complexa, although it had not been confirmed by him which of the D. affinis aggregate was involved. Reference to the recently published field guide, and the presence of D. cambrensis nearby, led to the view that, although rare, this was an example of D. x convoluta nothosubsp. occidentals ( D . cambrensis subsp. cambrensis x D.filix-mas ). Members examining Dryopteris x convoluta nothosubsp. occidentals in Havern Beck Chris Evans, Michael Radley {at back), Brian Dockerill, Brace Brown, Alison Evans After retrieving Sue Dockerill’s glasses from the stream, we carried on uphill, passing a large limestone rock on which were seen Asplenium ruta-muraria, A. scolopendrium, A. trichomanes subsp. quadrivalens and Cystopteris Jragilis, and finally reached a beautiful series of waterfalls. Most of the party re-traced the route home, although two brave souls decided, successfully as it turned out, to climb directly up from the head of the valley. This great outing was fortunately blessed by dry weather; crossing the stream in spate, in rain, with the boggy areas much wetter, would have been very different! Following refreshing ice-creams we re-grouped in Sinnington (44/744858) to visit the colonies of Polypodium ‘sinningtonense’ investigated by Ken Trewren and previously reported in the 2007 Bulletin 6(6):473, but later confirmed to be a form of P. interjectum. Earlier visits had noted around 20 colonies of this Polypodium but several had been out of reach on a tree overhanging the river. Fortunately Razvan Chisu proved braver than most and retrieved two further samples, both subsequently identified as the P. ‘sinningtonense’ iUUiiiU till! LECTURE MEETINGS AND DAY VISITS SPRING INDOOR MEETING, NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, LONDON REGIONAL MEETINGS Lizard (10/61), West Cornwall - 26-27 April Over ten people attended this weekend, surviving atrocious stormy weather on Saturday and cool but sunny weather on Sunday. The aim of the weekend, organised by David Pearman (BSBI) and Fred Rumsey (Natural History Museum and BPS), was to make a detailed survey of land quillwort (. Isoetes histrix). The Lizard holds the only mainland British populations of this elusive species, and the last comprehensive survey was by the University of Bristol in 1982, when the population was counted and estimated to comprise nearly 100,000 plants. Since then David Pearman and several other local and visiting botanists have counted or estimated 7. histrix plants at some sites. Our plan was to visit as many as possible of the known 7 histrix sites and to count actual plant numbers using the University of Bristol surveyors’ methodology. On Saturday we visited the Holestrow, Caerthillian, Kynance and the Rills sites, and on Sunday the Mullion, Predannack and Kynance Farm, Gew Graze to Vellan Head sites, all in 10/61. Over 20,000 plants were counted! This was substantially fewer than in 1982, but many more than the 4,410 plants counted in (incomplete) surveys between 2010 and 2013, and there was not enough time to visit inland and eastern Lizard populations. A detailed report of the weekend will appear in the 2015 Pteridologist. Hustyn Wood, North-West of Bodmin, East Cornwall (10/96, 20/06) - 10 May Six members met at Hustyn Wood in the Camel Valley and enjoyed a walk around deciduous woodland, conifer plantations, forest rides and along streamsides in one- kilometre squares 10/9969 and 20/0069. Nineteen species of fern in total were seen on the walk. Much of the conifer plantation in the Hustyn area was planted on rough ground or heathland in the early part of the twentieth century (there are old records of fir clubmoss (Huperzia selago) here), and many heathland species are still present along open rides through the woodland. In the steep valley where ancient woodland is still found, Tunbridge filmy fem ( Hymenophyllum tunbrigense) was last recorded in 2004, and two large patches H. tunbrigense is also found further upstream and downstream but we ran out of time to look for it. Nearby in a wet wood several large royal fem ( Osmunda regalis ) were admired, and amongst these were a few narrow buckler dew ever i, the hybrid between D. carthusiana and broad buckler fem (D. dilatata). D. dilatata, and D. x deweveri has been noted in other Cornish D. carthusiana sites and is probably under-recorded. On the way back to the cars, a steep climb up Hustyn Hill, hay- scented buckler fern (D. aemula) was abundant on the shaded moist hedge-bank. At the end of the day four of us drove a short distance about one kilometre north-eastwards and then down to the River Camel at Polbrock (20/013695) and parked in the small Forestry Commission car park at Bishop’s Wood. Here we looked along the shaded vertical muddy riverbank, stabilised with tree-roots, where there were substantial stands of diaphanous bladder fern ( Cystopteris diaphana). First found here in 2000 by Matt Stribley, it was easy to see how it had remained hidden - in the winter it is under water when the River Camel levels rise, and even in summer one has to get into the river to see it. We also checked the small adit on the wooded bank by the car park, where a small sporophyte plant of Killamey fern ( Trichomanes speciosum ) was first seen in 2004 by Ian Bennallick. Unfortunately, in the wet winter of 2013/2014, the adit entrance had collapsed taking the plant with it. However T. speciosum gametophyte is still present so there is a chance that a sporophyte will appear again. Port Gaverne, North of Wadebridge, East Cornwall (20/08) - Thursday 15 May A gloriously sunny day by the Cornish coast greeted three members of the group at the Cornwall Council car park at Port Isaac (10/999810). We met up with Malcolm Lee, who lives in the old converted fish cellars in Port Gaverne just to die east of Port Isaac, and is a mine of information about the local area. We walked onto Main Head (20/0081) where we found many plants of sea spleenwort (Asplenium marinum ) along the cliffs. From the delightful harbour at Port Gaverne (20/0080) we walked inland along a small valley with marshy areas and a tree-lined stream where we saw four horsetail species - field, marsh, water and shore ( Equisetum arvense, E. palustre, E.fluviatile and E. * litorale). The fern highlight of the day was an Asplenium marinum plant with very narrow fronds, which Ian Bennallick found on the wall of the old fish cellar in the village, growing with with wall rue (A. ruta-muraria ) nearby. The t it, and Ian pondered two species. Later correspondence with Fred Rumsey and Chris Page suggested that this was unlikely, though Chris thought it 39 i«£ After a lovely lunch, thanks to Linda and Frank and others who brought home baking, we retired to the sitting room for an afternoon of illustrated talks, beginning with a most interesting presentation from Adrian Dyer on ‘Henry Bradbury and his Nature-Prints’. To my shame, I had never heard of the gentleman, and neither had Adrian until 1959 when he found a large book of fern prints in Blackwell’s bookshop for £3 10s. Over the ensuing years he had researched the life and work of Henry Bradbury (who was bom in 1829) and collected his nature-prints whenever he could. During a visit to Vienna in 1851, Bradbury met Alois Auer, who had been experimenting with nature-printing and subsequently published instructions for the process. The specimens were pressed between plates of steel and lead, whereupon the impression of the fem was made on the lead plate. In order to make a greater number of prints a copper facsimile was made electrolytically, hand- coloured and printed on to the paper. It was a very slow process, as the plate had to be cleaned before each new print was made. Adrian had one of these wonderful books for us to inspect, and after washing our hands we were allowed to feel the raised impression of the fem on the paper. Very beautiful. Bridget Laue then gave us an account of die recent BPS visit to Valle Camonica in the Italian Alps. This trip is reported in full elsewhere in this Bulletin, so I will not go into detail. Suffice to say that Bridget entertained us with slides of some wonderful ferns in great locations. Finally, Mary Gibby gave a short talk on her recent visit to another part of the Italian Alps, between Turin and the Mediterranean. Mary showed pictures of her fem finds, many of which she still has to identify or confirm. It made for a good ending to a most enjoyable day. SOUTH-EAST Hole Park, Rolvenden & Angley Wood, Cranbrook, Kent - 14 June Pat Acock & Paul Ripley About ten of us met at Hole Park, near Rolvenden (51/833326), to explore the large gardens and woodland associated with this large house and small estate. Much work had been done on the gardens since a previous visit, and we saw Polystichum setiferum ‘Divisilobum’ varieties, Equisetum hyemale var. affine, Osmunda regalis, Onoclea sensibilis and Matteuccia struthiopteris. Additionally, many ‘wild’ species: Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris filix-mas, D. dilatata, D. borreri, D. affinis, Athyrium filix-femina , Asplenium scolopendrium and (on walls) A. ruta-muraria were naturalised in the gardens. The woodland garden was closed for ‘renovation’, but during our previous visit all the ferns of typical southern acid woodland could be found and it is to be hoped that the wood will not be over-sanitised. Lunch was provided by the congenial owners, together with local beer. It is a sign of the times that the dairy farm has been superseded by The Old Dairy Brewery. In the afternoon we made a circular tour of Angley Wood near Cranbrook (entrance at 51/769360). The Society had been here before but not for many years. It is a typical High Weald wood on Wealden sandstone with clay overlay. Pteridium aquilinum was abundant, and Dryopteris dilatata and Athyrium filix-femina were common. Locally prevalent were Dryopteris borreri, D. affinis, D. filix-mas, D. carthusiana, Blechnum spicant and Oreopteris limbosperma, and we also found a few small plants of Osmunda regalis, clearly not planted. A number of candidates were confirmed by examination of abortive spores to be Dryopteris * deweveri. We also found some putative D. * critica and D. * complexa, but these have not to date been confirmed. We did not find marsh fem at our last visit and failed to find any this time, and we think it is unlikely to be present in the wood. 55 Valdy Pierozynski, partly facilitated by extensive foreign travel, had amassed an amazing collection of, mainly southern hemisphere, ferns. Particularly impressive were large trunked blechnums, including Blechnum gibbum and B. brasiliense, but his large greenhouse was notable for a possibly unrivalled collection of epiphytes, mostly grown on tree fern trunks on the ground and on landscaped slopes. These included a Lecanopteris, several tropical Polypodiaceae and Elaphoglossum, including the beautiful E. crinitum. We are most grateful to Valdy for showing us his terrific collection (and for his generosity in providing us with plants to take away), and to Greta for providing a lovely and welcome tea. Appledore, Kent - 8 November South-East and East Anglia groups met at Appledore station (51/976298). After Asplenium adiantum-nigrum on the station walls, Paul Ripley led the group by car to a brick road-bridge on the approach to the Romney Marsh Wartime Museum at Brenzett (61/008272). On the south-facing side of the bridge, exposed to the sun Romney Marsh Asplenium septentrionale site, Brenzett, Romney Marsh Peter Blake, Julian Reed, Tim Pyner, Peter Tindley, Fern Alder, Mark Border, Jude Lawton, Gert-Jan van der Kolk, Paul Ripley, Geoffrey Kitchener were many large Asplenium scolopendrium and Polystichum setiferum. The latter were interesting both because of their very large size and also the considerable variation between plants in both colour and degree of P. setiferum ‘Decompositum’. When returning down the footpath a clump of Polypodium resembling P. interjectum was seen and a frond retrieved. Examination with a very useful hand- microscope of Paul’s revealed a dark annulus and s thought to be P. * mantoniae. The group returned to study Paul’s fern garden between the road and stream opposite his house. This area was reasonably protected from the wind but quite exposed to the sun. There were many interesting ferns that Paul had collected from other fern enthusiasts over the years including a plant identified by Tim Pyner as Blechnum hastatum, and a B. spicant with very variable leaf form ranging from one-pinnate to almost two-pinnate. Afterwards we walked back up to the house, but this time via the lanes and woods to see what ferns we could find. One wall in the village (22/663551) was loaded with Asplenium ruta-muraria, while just round the comer A. trichomanes subsp. quadrivalens ruled supreme, both accompanied by A. ceterach. Polypodium vulgare and P. interjectum grew on walls further along, and Pteridium aquilinum, Athyrium filix-femina, Dryopteris dilatata and D.filix-mas dotted the lane-side. When we entered the woods (22/667548), we also found D. affinis, D. borreri and its morphotype ‘robusta’, and even some hart’s tongues on a shady, moist wall. We were pleased to refind a single Polystichum setiferum that Julian Reed had seen on a previous visit, and also a possible small Dryopteris aemula. After enjoying a fantastic chocolate cake back at the cottage, we made our way home feeling very grateful to Tim and Pete for giving us such a good day. WESSEX New Forest, Hampshire - 26 July Paul Ripley Eight members and guests, including Mike Rowe who lives locally and has considerable knowledge of the area’s botany, met at Jo and Ashley Basil’s house, in Boldre, near Lymington for this joint meeting with the South-East regional group. After sorting out the Society’s problems over coffee, our first visit was to Buckland Wood near Lymington, where Janet and Gareth James had kindly given us permission to explore a wood that was effectively their back garden. Our attention was caught by some unusual bracken {Pteridium aquilinum) fronds, some foliose, crisp or depauperate. In a boggy area near a tributary of the Lymington River we saw many plants of Dryopteris dilatata and D. carthusiana, but none that convinced us they might have been the hybrid, D. * deweveri. There were also fine plants of Athyrium filix-femina and Blechnum spicant here. After a superb, and largely home-grown, lunch, we briefly toured Jo and Ashley’s garden. A magnificent specimen of Lophosoria quadripinnata caught our eye, along with some fine dicksonias, and plants of Adiantum venustum and Araiostegia perdurans grown to good effect in hanging baskets. Our next stop was a sphagnum bog west of Setley model yacht pond, just before the railway bridge (40/303994), where we saw Lycopodiella inundata growing well and fruiting, together with, among others, bog asphodel, bog cotton, sundew, bog St John’s-wort, and, in drier places, lesser spearwort. Just beyond the Police Station on the A337 out of Lyndhurst, we turned right, across a golf course into an area cleared of pine trees three to four years ago (40/3058.0923). Among the bracken {Pteridium aquilinum), several Osmunda regalis sporelings were happily colonising. We also saw Dryopteris dilatata, D. carthusiana, Blechnum spicant, Athyrium filix-femina and Oreopteris limbosperma here. By a small stream were individual plants of Dryopteris filix-mas, and also D. borreri, otherwise uncommon here, although in the absence of a minimum of ten different opinions and an eventual 90% consensus, there was some reluctance to believe this recorder! Finally we visited the well-known Equisetum x bowmanii site close by the A337 in Shave Wood near Minstead (40/295123). We found this hybrid between E. telmateia and E. sylvaticum in excellent condition, protected from grazing between the road and the fence, although a number of stems were also found some distance away in an area that presumably is grazed. Apart from the ubiquitous bracken, we also found Polypodium vulgare and (probably) P. interjectum, growing side-by-side on an oak tree. Thank you, Jo and Ashley, for a lovely, well-planned day and for a fantastic lunch. 61 Fern seen in North Wales, July 2014 Saturday Sunday Monday 12th 13th 14th Llyn Samau Core Bodgynydd 1 Coed Felinrhyd ll J M + • A. ffH* 1 * + A. marinum ^ + A. obovatum subsp. lanceolatum + A. ruta-muraria • - ¥ A. scolopendrium + - A. septentrionale + A. trichomanes subsp. quadrivalens + + • A. trichomanes subsp. trichomanes - Athyrium filix-femina - + + + + Blechnum spicant - + + Cryptogramma crispa - Dryopteris aemula D. affinis subsp. affinis + D. affinis subsp. paleaceolobata - + D. borreri - D. cambrensis + - - D. dilatata - - + + - - D. filix-mas ■ - - - - D. oreades - Equisetumfluviatile + Huperzia selago + + Hymenophyllum tunbrigense - H. wilsonii - Lycopodiella inundata + Oreopteris limbosperma - ¥ + + Phegopteris connectilis + Polypodium inteijectum + + - P. x mantoniae + P. vulgare ¥ - Polystichum aculeatum P setiferum + Pteridium aquilinum Ingleborough, Yorkshire Dales - 2 August Bruce Bro This was our third attempt, after two failures, at a Group visit up Ingleborough - and forecast was dire with a yellow warning for heavy rain and thunderstorms. Nevertheless members met at the lay-by above Hill Inn, Chapel-le-dale (34/745778). The top 100 me 67 HORTICULTURAL SHOWS & OTHER EVENTS be dealt with if they are no longer able to care for it themselves, but this is not always the case. Do you or a relative have a fern collection that can no longer be cared for? We have a network of volunteers around the country who can help in various ways, such as advice on how to maintain a collection, what value it may have, how to arrange sale of plants, or re- location to a public garden. Please contact Membership Secretary Alison Evans in the first instance, so that she can pass on your request to a volunteer local to you. AMERICAN FERN SOCIETY - The AFS has had a reciprocal payment arrangement with the BPS for many years and this is available through their respective Membership Secretaries. See AFS advert on p. 99. ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY - Our Society is affiliated to the RHS. This enables a limited number of members to enjoy certain privileges in connection with RHS Shows, competitions and services. Some RHS Journals are available free to members at indoor meetings. Further information is available from the Treasurer. BRITISH WILDLIFE - Concessionary individual subscriptions to British Wildlife magazine are available to BPS members: www.britishwildlife.com. This excellent journal occasionally carries articles on ferns and reviews fern publications. The December 2014 edition had a very good report on ferns in Scotland. MERCHANDISE - Have you bought a BPS sweatshirt, polo shirt or fleece yet? These are all dark green with a small embroidered BPS logo in yellow. Other items, such as BPS ties, metal badges, ferny greetings cards, bookmarks, pens, calendars, mugs, jute bags and take- in-the-field fern guides, are also for sale. A new line is Chelsea Physic Garden fem cards, and we have started re-stocking BPS T-shirts. On the website, you can now see photos of items for sale, and even order them using PayPal. Can’t find your order form? Contact the Merchandise Organisers or look on the website for details. The Organisers also welcome suggestions for new stock. BOOKSALES - It has become more difficult to find second-hand fem books at reasonable prices, so if you are thinking of selling any of your books please consider first offering them to the Society. Frank Katzer would also be pleased to receive any donated or bequeathed books that could then be offered to members at affordable prices. Please contact him by e-mail. PLANT EXCHANGE - This scheme enables UK and EU members to dispose of surplus ferns to the advantage of those who would like to acquire some different species and varieties. Most of the plants offered are young sporelings. A request form is enclosed with the Bulletin mailing inviting members to list ferns they wish to offer or indicate any they are seeking or merely to request a copy of the consolidated list when compiled. On receipt of the list, members contact one another using the details provided. Contact the Plant Exchange Organiser for further details. SPORE EXCHANGE - The current spore list is published on our website or can be obtained from Brian and Sue Dockerill. NURSERY ADVERTISEMENTS - Members with nurseries that offer ferns are reminded that they may place an advertisement in the Bulletin, Pteridologist and on the website free of charge in return for the inclusion of a note about the Society in their catalogues/ websites. The Website Editor can include an image if required. If members wish their nursery to be included, in the first instance please contact the General Secretary. PUBLICITY & MARKETING - The on-line newsletter Fem World is now well established and keeps members up-to-date with BPS news. Please send the Publicity Officer any ferny news or anything you want publicised. Links to all our social media can be found in the left hand margin of any page on the website. Social media is administered by Liz Evans except for Flickr administered by Ashley Basil and Instagram administered by Razvan Chisu. Contact Liz Evans for further information. NEW PUBLICITY AND MARKETING OFFICER NEEDED! - Liz Evans is standing down at the AGM, though she will continue with Social Media. If you think you might enjoy this post then please contact Liz Evans in the first instance. NEW EDUCATION OFFICER - Alison Evans is standing down at the AGM. Subject to election her post will be filled by Peter Blake. The group would be very pleased to hear your ideas on how we can develop the educational role of the BPS. If you have information about any fern-related educational initiatives or resources that you have found useful please contact Peter. FERN RECORDS - Members are encouraged to sign up and submit their records to Living Record, which can be accessed from the BPS website (http://eBPS.org.uk/fems/recording/line-recording/). Alternatively records of ferns, horsetails, clubmosses and quillworts in the wild may be sent to the BPS Recorder, Fred Rumsey, who will forward them to the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI), or members may like to contact the appropriate Vice-county Recorders directly. Recorders’ addresses are available from the BSBI website or BSBI yearbook, which goes to all BSBI members; for those without access to the Internet or yearbook please contact the BPS Recorder for details. The BPS recording card is available on our website or directly from Fred. NEW REGIONAL GROUP FOR NORTH WALES - We are pleased to welcome David Hill on board who has offered to cover North Wales. This brings our total number of BPS regional groups to ten, which is pretty good. Contact David at NorthWales@eBPS.org.uk. FORTHCOMING EVENTS IN 2015: SOUTHPORT FLOWER SHOW, 20th-23rd August - Why not spend a few hours or a day helping to look after the Society’s stand? You do not need to be an expert on ferns or fem growing, just prepared to spend a few hours or a day with us. Expenses are available, as well as free entry to the Show. If you grow ferns, why not consider entering your best specimens; Southport is one of the few shows with amateur classes for ferns. Details are available from Michael Hayward, 6 Far Moss Road, Blundellsands, Liverpool L23 8TQ; mhaywardL23@blueyonder.co.uk. FERN COURSES IN 2015: ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN EDINBURGH, 13th June - Fascinating Ferns: a 1-day course at Benmore in Argyll. Tutor: Heather McHaffie. To book, contact RBGE education office 0131-248-2937 or e-mail education@rbge.org.uk. FSC KINDROGAN FIELD CENTRE, Perthshire, 3rd-6th July - Fem Identification: a residential course. Tutor: Heather McHaffie. To book, contact FSC on 01250-870150 or e- mailenquiries.kd@field-studies-council.org. FSC BLENCATHRA FIELD CENTRE, Lake District, 28th August - 2nd September The Fem Guide: a residential course. Tutor: James Merryweather. To book, contact FSC on 01768-779601 ore-mail enquiries.bl@field-studies-council.org. FSC PRESTON MONTFORD FIELD CENTRE, Shropshire, 11th August - Field Guide to Fem Identification: a 1-day course. Tutor: Mark Duffell. To book, contact FSC on 0845-3307378 or e-mail enquiries.pm@field-studies-council.org. FSC RHYD-Y-CREUAU - DRAPERS’ FIELD CENTRE, Snowdonia, 17th-20th July - Fem Identification: a residential course. Tutor Chris Metiierell. To book, contact FSC on FSC MILLPORT, Isle of Cumbrae, Scotland, 26th-28th June - A ferns: a residential course. Tutor: Angus Hannah. To book, contact FSC < or e-mail enquiries.sco@field-studies-council.org. You can find details of all FSC ferns courses on our BPS website, follow the link EVENTS/FIELD STUDIES COUNCIL. 75 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2014 MINUTES of the 1 1 1th Annual General Meeting of the British Pteridological Society held on Saturday 12th April 2014 at the Natural History Museum, London at 14.00 his. IN THE CHAIR: The President, Prof. John Edgington. PRESENT: Pat Acock, Paul Aston, Ash & Jo Basil, Peter Blake, Matt Busby, Rob Cooke, Brian & Sue Dockerill, Roland Ennos, Alison Evans, Liz Evans, Roger Golding, Yvonne Golding, Alec Greening, John Grue, Nick Hards, Andrew Harrison, Ann Haskins, Graham Hoare, Jennifer Ide, Stephen Jury, Janet Keyes, Elise Knox-Thomas, Bridget Laue, Jude Lawton, Andrew Leonard, Nicholas Lodge, Howard Matthews, Frank McGavigan, Mark Morgan, Karen & Stephen Munyard, Alison Paul, Anthony Pigott, Tim Pyner, Julian Reed, Martin Rickard, Paul Ripley, Fred Rumsey, Edward Salgado, Paul Sharp, Bryan & Gill Smith, Barrie Stevenson, Sandy Strang, Robert Sykes, Richard Treganowan, Alastair Wardlaw. Item 1 - APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Ian Bennallick, Peter Campion, Jonathan Crowe, Adrian Dyer, Peter Freshwater, Mary Gibby, Michael Hayward, Frank Katzer, Heather McHaffie, Alan Ogden, Barry Thomas. Item 2 - APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Minutes of the 110th Annual General Meeting of the British Pteridological Society held on Saturday 6th April 2013 and published in the Bulletin (Vol. 7, No. 6) were approved and signed by the Chairman. Item 3 - MATTERS ARISING: There were none. Item 4a - REPORT OF THE GENERAL SECRETARY: This report by Yvonne Golding was published in the Bulletin (Vol. 7, No. 6). The President said that he thought the report was very interesting and suggested that we have an enormous amount to thank Yvonne for. In reply, Yvonne said that when she writes the report, she tries to make it an overview, as she then sends it to the Charity Commissioners together with the accounts, so that they know what we are doing. Item 4b - REPORT OF THE TREASURER: The Society’s accounts for 2013 were published in the Bulletin (Vol. 7, No. 6). The Treasurer, Gill Smith, pointed out that we had a large amount of cash last year from the Graham Ackers bequest, which was put into a special fund. Other than this, things were as usual, except for the very, very low interest rates. In answer to a query from the floor, she confirmed that the amount raised from the Graham Ackers bequest was more than the £15,000 placed into the special fund. Item 5 - OFFICERS’ REPORTS: The Officers’ Reports were published in the Bulletin (Vol. 7, No. 6). The following updates were given: Membership Secretary. The President explained that Alison Evans had taken over this post during the year and seemed to be very successful. Alison reported that we had now passed the 700 mark for members - we had 716. However, a review of our complimentary members was taking place and if they decide not to pay, then numbers could fall again. The committee had discussed the aim of reaching 1,000 members by our 125th anniversary in 2016, but it is one thing signing people up and quite another to keep them paying their subscription year after year. A member asked if the committee had any special project in mind to achieve this increase in membership but the only suggestion was that everyone recruited one member, or even two. Meetings Secretary. Bryan Smith reiterated that there had been a lead meetings. Conservation Officer & Recording Officer. John Edgington both interesting reports. Publications Secretary. Martin Rickard reported that the Gazette had had a make-over, the Pteridologist was becoming thicker and thicker, and the Bulletin was doing very well. Pteridologist Editor. Alec Greening reminded members about last submissions for the next edition of the Pteridologist. Education Officer. John Edgington said that this aspect was becoming a more and more important part of the BPS. Project Officer & Website Editor. Anthony Pigott reported that he had made progress with getting on-line the parts of journals that we had electronically: the Bulletin was up-to- date, the Fern Gazette soon would be, and the Pteridologist would be later in 2014. It is particularly important to have back copies on line. Michael Hayward had scanned volumes 1-9 of the Fern Gazette , but if anyone felt like preparing volumes 10-15, he would be grateful. Roger Golding volunteered to do this. Item 6 - COMMITTEE APPOINTEES’ REPORTS The Committee Appointees’ Reports were published in the Bulletin (Vol. 7, No. 6). The following updates were given: Spore Exchange Organiser. Brian Dockerill said that for the first time they had offered green Osmunda spores, but interest was very poor. They planned to obtain fresh donations and freeze them so that they would be available for a longer period. Merchandise Organisers. Bryan Smith reported that the 2015 calendar was on sale. The 2016 calendar would be made up from some of the Photographic Competition entries. Horticultural Information Adviser. Matt Busby said that if anyone had any problems, please send him their queries. Archivist. Matt Busby reported that there were ongoing discussions about where the archives could be placed, and that we were negotiating with the National Archive. Yvonne Golding explained that they were very helpful and the service they provide to us is free. The deadline to move from Manchester Museum is November. She was trying to set up a meeting with all parties - the National Archive need to see the size of our archives and how Item 7 -ELECTIONS Vice-Presidents. Matt Busby and Adrian Dyer had come to the end of their second three- year terms of office but were both standing for re-election for a further three-year term. Following a proposal by Frank McGavigan, seconded by Paul Ripley, they were both re- elected. Our other Vice-Presidents are Rob Cooke, Roger Golding, Jennifer Ide and Robert Officers. Ann Haskins had agreed to take on the role of Committee Secretary and her election was proposed by Robert Sykes and seconded by Yvonne Golding. All other Officers were available for re-election en bloc, proposed by Jennifer Ide and seconded by Rob Cooke. [General Secretary: Yvonne Golding, Treasurer: Gill Smith, Meetings 77 Secretary: Bryan Smith, Conservation Officers: Heather McHaffie and Fred Rumsey, Project Officer: Anthony Pigott, Publications Secretary: Martin Rickard, Fern Gazette Editor: Mary Gibby, Pteridologist Editor: Alec Greening, Bulletin Editor: Alison Paul, Website Editor: Anthony Pigott, Education Officer: Alison Evans, Publicity and Marketing Officer Liz Evans.] Elected Committee Members. Ann Haskins, having been elected as Committee Secretary, stood down as an elected committee member. All other committee members - Ian Bennallick, Peter Blake, Stephen Jury, Frank McGavigan and Julian Reed - were available for re-election, and this was done en bloc after being proposed by Fred Rumsey and seconded by Robert Sykes. Tim Pyner had agreed to join the committee and his election was proposed by Pat Acock and seconded by Julian Reed. Volunteers were requested from the floor to fill any of the four remaining vacancies on the committee. Bridget Laue volunteered and her election was proposed by Paul Sharp and seconded by Frank McGavigan. Committee Appointments. There were no changes to report. Item 8 - Appointment of Independent Examiners. Dr Nick Hards and Mr Alex Stone were prepared to continue in this capacity and Gill Smith thanked Alex for examining the 2013 accounts. Item 9 - J.W. Dyce Award. Martin Rickard explained that this award was for the best published item but that this year there were two recipients - Jeremy Roberts for his article in the Pteridologist ‘Filmy-Fems of the Bewcastle Fells’, and Liz Evans for producing the BPS e -Newsletter Fern World. Photographic Competition results were announced after the end of the AGM due to the volume of votes to be counted. Class 1 - 1st Alison Evans, 2nd Adrian Dyer, 3rd Sue Dockerill. Class 2 - 1st Linda Greening, 2nd Linda Greening, 3rd Pat Acock. Class 3 - 1st Sue Olsen, 2nd Sue Olsen, 3rd Yvonne Golding. Overall winner - Sue Olsen. Item 10 - ANY OTHER BUSINESS a) Tim Pyner asked if anyone had any cultivated Mexican woodwardias. If so, could they let him know. b) The General Secretary announced that the 2015 AGM would be held at Ness Gardens in the Wirral. John Edgington closed the meeting at 2.55 p.m. Ann Haskins Committee Secretary Accounts for the Year Ending 31 December 2014 I have examined the accounting records maintained by the Treasurer of the British Pteridological Society. I certify that the Accounts are a true and fair view of the financial position of the Society. Nick Hards, Independent Examiner, 6th March 2015 78 BPS ACCOUNTS FOR 2014 2013 2014 ORDINARY ACCOUNT CENTENARY FUND (Restricted Account) Interest (see note 11) Interest brought forwai Grant (see note 6) Donation (see note 5) Total Interest £30.62 £1,249.31 £500.00 £0.00 £779.93 £19.74 £779.93 £416.50 £0.00 £383.17 79 GREENFIELD FUND (Restricted Account) PUBLICATIONS ACCOUNT £13,278.65 £12,537.48 £3,474.90 £5,897.92 £59.50 £38.89 £4,275.57 £3,278.00 £12,537.48 £15,196.29 Total Funds for Year Ending 31 December 2014 Publications Account £33,346.78 £32,102.08 £6,363.66 £5,966.90 £2,082.81 £2,089.27 £12,537.48 £15,196.29 £54,330.73 £55,354.54 Represented by Charitable Organisations Investment Fund (COIF) £39,761.68 £39,930.20 NatWest Bank & Others £14,569.05 £15,424.34 Total Funds £54,330.73 £55,354,54 INCOME 2014 Expenditure 2014 REPORTS OF OFFICERS & COMMITTEE APPOINTEES FOR 2014 OFFICERS’ REPORTS meekm?’ ition of fern enthusiasts. As we mm 2013 2014 No. taxa in Ust 374 441 No. orders received 99 115 No. packets supplied 1,548 2,015 No. first choices supplied (%) 1,276(82%) 1,795 (89%) No. donors 35 31 OBITUARIES il IS!! HiiSifflSiiS! Ilif ii'i !i taxa when looking for sources for the expansion of genetic variation. He also s MEETINGS PROGRAMME 2015 Fri. 4 -Mon. 7 Sept FIBREX NURSERIES Ltd II ill II II II II II III 111 lllllllli Hardy and tender ferns 3 1753 00398 7812 Begonias, Gloxinias, Hederas, Hydrangeas, Primroses, Arum Lilies and plants for the cool greenhouse www.fibrex.co.uk Honeyboume Road, Pebworth, nr Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire CV 37 8XT Catalogue on request BOWDENS Hostas, ferns and grasses Incorporating Rickards Ferns and World of Ferns Hardy and non-hardy ferns, tree ferns and ferneries planted www.bowdenhostas.com Cleave House, Sticklepath, Devon EX20 2NL Tel: 01248 600385. E-mail: tim@bowdenhostas.com FANCY FRONDS World-wide selection of temperate, semi-tropical, xeric and tree ferns, including Selaginellas and Equisetum and British cultivars www.fancyfrondsnursery.com USA orders only. E-mail: fancyfronds@gmail.com THE FERN NURSERY - RN. Timm Hardy outdoor ferns. Display garden. www.fernnursery.co.uk Grimsby Road, Binbrook, Lincolnshire LN8 6DH Tel: 01472 398092 IVYCROFT PLANTS Ferns, snowdrops, herbaceous and alpine plants www.ivycroftgarden.co.uk Ivington Green, Leominster HR6 OJN Tel: 01568 720344. E-mail: ivycroft@homecall.co.uk FOLIAGE GARDENS Hardy native and exotic ferns www.foliagegardens.com USA orders only. E-mail Sue Olsen: FoIiageg@juno.com CRAWFORD HARDY FERNS Hardy ferns from around the world, tree ferns, hardy exotics, palms, bamboo www.crawfordferns.co.uk E-mail: info@crawfoidfems.co.uk High Street, Spetisbury, Dorset DTI 1 9DP. Tel.: 01258 857240. BROWNTHWAITE - C Benson Hardy Plants of Cumbria. Casterton near Kirkby Lonsdale Traditional working nursery with a wide varierty of perennials, ferns, grasses and shrubs. An excellent range of old and new varieties. Tel: 015242 71340. www.hardyplantsofcumbria.co.uk The British Pteridological Society BULLETIN • CONTENTS • I 8582 8882 88 S28SfeS;62S SSSS