17/09/2026
Thursday 10th September
at St Aubin’s Fort
Our visit to St Aubin’s Fort produced a number of interesting botanical records. Given the Fort’s location, it was no surprise to find an abundance of coastal species, including the familiar Buck’s-horn Plantain, Thrift, Sea Mayweed and even New Zealand Spinach...
The highlight of the visit was a particularly exciting discovery made by Amanda, who spotted a small flower on an Evening-primrose plant. On closer inspection, it was identified as Oenothera parviflora (Least Evening-primrose), a new record for the Channel Islands. A fantastic find!
We also recorded Melilotus officinalis (Ribbed Melilot). Although the plant was completely dead, we were nevertheless able to identify it, which was no easy task. Another dried-up specimen that proved a little more straightforward to identify was the statuesque Curled Dock, displaying an abundance of perfectly formed seeds.
A new plant for many of us was Atriplex littoralis (Grass-leaved Orache), which has not been recorded at the Fort for many years.
Another unusual find was a Portland Spurge displaying the most incredible fasciation.
Fasciation is an abnormality in plant growth in which a stem, flower head or other part becomes flattened, broadened or contorted, rather than developing its usual cylindrical form. This can result in some wonderfully unusual shapes, and the Portland Spurge we found was a particularly striking example.
Overall, our visit to St Aubin’s Fort was a very enjoyable and productive outing. The combination of a wonderful historic location, fantastic coastal views and an abundance of flora made for a memorable visit.
Conservation work.
Next Tuesday 22nd September from 2.00 to 4.00pm there is another chance to remove the noxious Purple Dewplant, this time it is between Le Braye and El Tico where we have worked before. Parking is either at El Tico and walk south or park at le Braye and walk north.
Below is a list of the plants we found;
Polypogon viridis Water Bent
Digitaria sanguinalis Hairy Finger-grass
Plantago coronopus Buck's-horn Plantain
Chenopodium album s.s. Fat-hen
Erigeron sumatrensis Guernsey Fleabane
Parietaria judaica Pellitory-of-the-wall
Pseudognaphalium undulatum Cape Cudweed
Crithmum maritimum Rock Samphire
Cymbalaria muralis Ivy-leaved Toadflax
Spergularia rupicola Rock Sea-spurrey
Cyperus eragrostis Pale Galingale
Chenopodiastrum murale Nettle-leaved Goosefoot
Tripleurospermum maritimum s.s. Sea Mayweed
Lysimachia arvensis Scarlet Pimpernel
Daucus carota Carrots
Dactylis glomerata Cock's-foot
Festuca rubra agg. Red Fescues
Crepis capillaris Smooth Hawk's-beard
Sedum acre Biting Stonecrop
Rumex obtusifolius Broad-leaved Dock
Sonchus oleraceus Smooth Sow-thistle
Medicago lupulina Black Medick
Tetragonia tetragonioides New Zealand Spinach
Portulaca oleracea Common Purslane
Solanum nigrum Black Nightshade
Atriplex littoralis Grass-leaved Orache
Silene gallica Small-flowered Catchfly
Lagurus ovatus Hare's-tail
Atriplex prostrata s.s. Spear-leaved Orache
Aira caryophyllea Silver Hair-grass
Mercurialis annua Annual Mercury
Rubus fruticosus agg. Brambles
Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima Sea Beet
Rumex crispus Curled Dock
Euphorbia portlandica Portland Spurge
Petroselinum crispum Garden Parsley
Armeria maritima Thrift
Daucus carota subsp. gummifer Sea Carrot
Hedera hibernica Atlantic Ivy
Urtica dioica Common Nettle
Smyrnium olusatrum Alexanders
Lycium barbarum Duke of Argyll's Teaplant
Trifolium arvense Hare's-foot Clover
Plantago lanceolata Ribwort Plantain
Taraxacum Dandelions
Hypochaeris radicata Cat's-ear
Picris hieracioides Hawkweed Oxtongue
Geranium rotundifolium Round-leaved Crane's-bill
Erodium cicutarium agg. Common Stork's-bill
Plantago major Greater Plantain
Lotus corniculatus Common Bird's-foot-trefoil
Oenothera stricta Fragrant Evening-primrose
Catapodium marinum Sea Fern-grass
Sagina maritima Sea Pearlwort
Quercus ilex Holm Oak
Carduus tenuiflorus Slender Thistle
Cortaderia selloana Pampas-grass
Malva sylvestris Common Mallow
Vulpia bromoides Squirreltail Fescue
Malva arborea Tree-mallow
Atriplex glabriuscula Babington's Orache
Sedum anglicum English Stonecrop
Cirsium vulgare Spear Thistle
Festuca ovina Sheep's-fescue
Polygonum aviculare agg. Knotgrass
Trifolium campestre Hop Trefoil
Umbilicus rupestris Navelwort
Melilotus officinalis Ribbed Melilot
Bergenia crassifolia Elephant-ears
Jacobaea vulgaris Common Ragwort
Oenothera parviflora Least Evening-Primrose
Centranthus ruber Red Valerian
Centaurium erythraea Common Centaury
