Lea Marshes   1970s Survey   In 2012 various botanical surveys of Lea Marshes were compared. To view this comparison table click this link. Agrostemma githago Apple tree on Lea Walthamstow/Leyton Marshes: Flora    THE FLORA OF WALTHAMSTOW MARSHES A comprehensive list of all the species recorded (plus some later additions mainly from Leyton). Scientific name English name Status at Walthamstow Equisetum arvense Common Horsetail Common on dry banks. 1970s E17 list Equisetum palustre Marsh Horsetail Common on sedge peat. 1970s E17 list Equisetum x litorale Hybrid Horsetail Critical studies in 1980 revealed this to be the commonest Horsetail towards the margins of each meadow. It must have arisen with the railway constructions over a century ago, and continues to penetrate the grassland and sedge. It is E. arvense x limosum. 1970s E17 list Pteridium aquilinum Bracken Very occasional young plants only on walls. 1970s E17 list Dryopteris filix-mas Male fern As above. 1970s E17 list Ophioglossum vulgatum Adders Tongue Fern First recorded over 130 years ago from Coppermill to Lea Bridge Road. Rediscovered in 1980, sparingly among grass near Coppermill Lane, but plentiful among tall sedge on South Marsh. An important ancient meadow species. 1970s E17 list Rununculus acris Meadow Buttercup Common and variable 1970s E17 list Ranunculus repens Creeping Buttercup Rare on damp ground. 1970s E17 list Ranunculus sceleratus Celery-leaved Buttercup Locally common on bare or damp ground in hollows. 1970s E17 list Ranunculus ficaria Lesser Celandine Common in Spring. 1970s E17 list Family: Ranunculaceae Clematis vitalba Old Man's Beard/Traveller's Joy Found by the canal side, near the railway arches in 2014. 2014 Family: Ranunculaceae Ranunculus pseudofluitans Water Buttercup Local in River Lea only. 1970s E17 list Nuphar lutea Yellow Water Lily Coppermill Stream only (and reservoirs). 1970s E17 list Ceratophyllum demersum Hornwort Grows with above. Formerly in small pond. 1970s E17 list Papaver rhoeas Corn Poppy Occasional casual. 1970s E17 list Papaver dubium Long-headed Poppy Scarce casual. 1970s E17 list Papaver somniferum Opium Poppy Occasional casual - showy. 1970s E17 list Brassica napus Rape /Wild Turnip Abundant and spectacular in Spring over much of area. 1970s E17 list Brassica rapa Wild Turnip Occasional with above. Less common. 1970s E17 list Brassica nigra Black Mustard Rare. Mostly near Lea Bridge Road and Leyton Marsh. 1970s E17 list Brassica juncea Chinese Mustard Scarce casual. 1970s E17 list Hirschfeldia incana Hoary Mustard Scarce casual. 1970s E17 list Sinapis arvensis Charlock Occasional on disturbed ground. 1970s E17 list Diplotaxis muralis Stinkweed Rare casual. 1970s E17 list Diplotaxis tenuifolia Wall Rocket A few scattered well established clumps. 1970s E17 list Lepidium ruderale Narrow-leaved Pepperwort Scarce casual. 1970s E17 list Lepidium sativum Garden Cress Scarce casual on paths. 1970s E17 list Coronopus squamatus Swine's Cress Occasional. 1970s E17 list Coronopus didymus Lesser Swine's Cress Occasional. 1970s E17 list Cardaria draba/ Lepidum draba Hoary Cress Several well established patches on verges. 1970s E17 list Capsella bursa-pastoris Shepherd's Purse Very common on bare ground and paths. Variable. 1970s E17 list Armoracia rusticana Horseradish Locally plentiful, on verges and banks. 1970s E17 list Cardamine pratensis Lady's Smock Several tall clumps in Triangle only. 1970s E17 list Cardamine hirsuta Common Bittercress Occasional. 1970s E17 list Barbarea vulgaris Wintercress Thinly scattered. Some plants have spreading recurved pods and are referrable to the rare variety or subspecies arcuata. 1970s E17 list Rorippa palustris Marsh Yellow Cress Common on bare or damp ground. 1970s E17 list Family: Brassicaceae Rorippa islandica Northern Yellow-Cress Yet to be identified but mentioned in the original list as a different name, or variant, for Rorippa palustris. Recent sources have described the two as separate types. 1970s E17 list Brassicaceae Rorippa amphibia Greater Yellow Cress Scarce in wet ground and sedge swamp. 1970s E17 list Nasturtium officinale Water Cress Extinct by bomb crater pond. Survives by Coppermill Stream. 1970s E17 list Brassicaceae Erysimum cheiranthoides Treacle Mustard Small quantity on disturbed ground near Marina. 1970s E17 list Alliaria petiolata Jack-by-the-Hedge Quite plentiful alongside Marina. Rare elsewhere. 1970s E17 list Sisymbrium altissimum Tumbling Mustard Occasional on disturbed ground. 1970s E17 list Sisymbrium orientale Eastern Mustard Rare casual on disturbed ground. 1970s E17 list Sisyinbrium officinale Hedge Mustard Common on paths and verges. 1970s E17 list Family: Brassicaceae Sisymbrium officinale var leiocarpun A glabrous variety of the above.   1970s E17 list Reseda luteola Weld Scarce and usually on disturbed ground only. 1970s E17 list Hypericum perforatum Common St John's Wort Scarce on railway banks. 1970s E17 list Ilex aquifolium Holly Found in a hedge by friends path. 2015 Hypericum tetrapterum Square-stalked St. John's-wort Damp places, marshes, pond and river margins. 2007 Family: Hypericaceae Viburnum opulus Guelder Rose Found on Sustrans in 2014. 2014 Family: Adoxaceae Silene vulgaris Bladder Campion Local; on railway banks. 1970s E17 list Family: Pink Caryophyllaceae Silene dioica Red Campion Common on waysides. 1970s E17 list Family: Caryophyllaceae Silene latifolia White Campion Scattered plants mostly near Coppermill. 1970s E17 list Family: Caryophyllaceae Silene x hampeana Hybrid Pink Campion As above. Regularly seen. 1970s E17 list Family: Caryophyllaceae Silene x hampeana Unusually red Hybrid Pink Campion On Coppermill Field.. 2014 Family: Caryophyllaceae Saponaria officinalis Soapwort Coppermill railway bank only. Plentiful. 1970s E17 list Cerastium holosteoides / Cerastium fontanum Common Mouse-ear Found in the South Marsh 1970s E17 list Cerastium glomeratum Stocky Mouse-ear Occasional on bare ground. 1970s E17 list Myosoton aquaticum Water Chickweed Very fine stands of this recently. Now much decreased, but survives. 1970s E17 list Stellaria media Common Chickweed Very common. Edible. 1970s E17 list Family: Caryophyllaceae Sagina apetala Annual Pearlwort Quite common on bare dry gravelly ground. 1970s E17 list Sagina procumbens Mossy Pearlwort Common on bare but harder and damper ground. 1970s E17 list Chenopodium polyspermum Many-seeded Goosefoot Common on disturbed ground. 1970s E17 list Chenopodium album Fat Hen Common. Edible. 1970s E17 list Chenopodium ficifolium Fig-leaved Goosefoot Quite common. 1970s E17 list Chenopodium rubrum Red Goosefoot Occasional on damp ground. 1970s E17 list Beta vulgaris Beetroot An occasional casual, rarely persisting. 1970s E17 list Atriplex patula Orache Common. 1970s E17 list Atriplex prostrata Halberd-leaved (Spear-leaved) Orache Commoner than the above esp. on sedge peat and less dependent on continually disturbed ground. 1970s E17 list Malva sylvestris Common Mallow Quite common and pretty on dry verges. 1970s E17 list Flora English name Scientific name Status at Walthamstow Malva neglecta Small Mallow Very scarce. 1970s E17 list Geranium molle Dovesfoot Cranesbill Occasional in grassland. 1970s E17 list Geraniaceae Geranium pyrenaicum Pyrenean Cranesbill Occasional in grassland. 1970s E17 list Geranium dissectum Cut-leaved Cranesbill Quite frequent on disturbed ground. 1970s E17 list. Geraniaceae Impatiens capensis Orange Balsam Still abundant along Coppermill Stream and most attractive in high Summer. 1970s E17 list Impatiens glandulifera Himalayan Balsam Surprisingly much more scarce than the last species. Abundant in Hackney Marsh. 1970s E17 list Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore Self-sown locally, not to be encouraged. 1970s E17 list Medicago arabica Spotted Medick, Sotted Burclover or Heart Clover. Common on Copperfield Meadow. 2014 Fabaceae Medicago lupulina Black Medick Frequent on disturbed ground. Occasional. 1970s E17 list Fabaceae Medicago sativa Sand Lucerne/ Alfalfa Very valuable fodder plant. 1970s E17 list Fabaceae Melilotus officinalis Common Melilot Occasional on disturbed ground., 1970s E17 list Melilotus albus White Melilot Rare and sporadic. 1970s E17 list Trifolium pratense Red Clover Very common and variable. 1970s E17 list Trifolium medium Zigzag Clover Rare. 1970s E17 list Trifolium repens White Clover Very common in dry turf. 1970s E17 list Fabaceae Trifolium campestre Hop Trefoil Occasional. 1970s E17 list Trifolium dubium Lesser Hop Trefoil Frequent on stony banks. 1970s E17 list Fabaceae Lotus corniculatus Bird's Foot Trefoil Frequent in grassland. 1970s E17 list Subfamily: Faboideae Galega officinalis Goat's rue, French lilac, Italian fitch or professor-weed Seems to have invaded Walthamstow Marsh, but a fantastic looking plant that the cows will probably like. 2012 Faboideae Colutea arborescens Bladder Senna A few self-sown shrubs on railway banks and one on North Marsh. 1970s E17 list Fabaceae Vicia hirsuta Hairy Vetch Sparingly on dry banks. 1970s E17 list Fabaceae Vicia cracca Tufted Vetch Locally frequent and colourful in grass. 1970s E17 list Fabaceae Vicia villosa subsp. villosa Fodder Vetch Discovered on Coppermill Field 2014. 2014 Fabaceae Lathyrus pratensis Meadow Vetchling Locally frequent in grassland. 1970s E17 list Fabaceae Lathyrus latifolius Garden Everlasting Pea On railway bank, established at Coppermill only. Very colourful. 1970s E17 list Fabaceae Filipendula ulmaria Meadowsweet Fine ancient stands in grassland in all meadows. 1970s E17 list Family: Rosaceae Sanguisorba minor Salad Burnet Found in Coppermill Field in 2014. 2014 Family: Rosaceae Rubus species Bramble Several thickets on drier ground and railway banks. 1970s E17 list Family: Rosaceae Potentilla reptans Cinquefoil Common in dry grassland. 1970s E17 list Family: Rosaceae Potentilla anserina Silverweed Only locally common and most attractive. 1970s E17 list Rosa canina Dog Rose Very scarce on dry ground. 1970s E17 list Family: Rosaceae Geum urbanum Wood Avens Beside the path close to the riding stables, Leyton Marsh. 2012 Family: Rosaceae Rosa multiflora Polyantha Long established near Coppermill Lane. 1970s E17 list Prunus spinosa Rose Blackthorn (Sloe) One or two bushes on railway banks. 1970s E17 list Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn A few scattered mature shrubs in grass. 1970s E17 list Family: Rosaceae Lythrum salicaria Purple Loosestrife Fine patches in marsh near Coppermill. 1970s E17 list Family: Lythraceae Chamerion angustifolium Rosebay Willowherb Common in drier grassland, forming large patches. 1970s E17 list Family: Onagraceae Epilobium hirsutum Great Hairy Willowherb Common, forming large patches on wetter ground. 1970s E17 list Epilobium montanum Broad-leaved Willowherb Very rare. 1970s E17 list Epilobium adenocaulon American Willowherb Common on more open and disturbed ground. 1970s E17 list Epilobium obscurum Short-fruited Willowherb Of doubtful occurrence. 1970s E17 list Epilobium tetragonum Square-stemmed Willowherb Occasional. The hybrids E. Tetragonum x adenocaulon and E. hirsutum x adenocaulon have occurred but are impermanent. 1970s E17 list Myriophyllum spicatum Water Milfoil Rare. Coppermill Stream. Formerly bomb crater. 1970s E17 list Callitriche obtusangula Water Starwort Grows with above at Coppermill in quantity. 1970s E17 list Hedera helix Ivy Very rare. 1970s E17 list Anthriscus sylvestris Cow Parsley Abundant and showy in Spring everywhere. 1970s E17 list Family: Apiaceae Conium maculatum Hemlock Local, mostly alongside River Lea. 1970s E17 list Apium graveolens var dulce Cultivated Celery Casual. 1970s E17 list Apium nodiflorum Fool's Watercress Scarce by bomb crater pond and Coppermill. 1970s E17 list Pimpinella saxifraga Burnet Saxifrage Scarce on dry railway banks especially by Triangle. 1970s E17 list Berula erecta Lesser Water Parsnip Rare near Coppermill. A nice species, not always seen. 1970s E17 list Oenanthe crocata Hemlock Water Dropwort Frequent by River Lea and Coppermill Stream. 1970s E17 list Oenanthe fistulosa Tubular Water Dropwort Very rare in Outer Marsh only. Special. 1970s E17 list Aethusa cynapium Fool's Parsley Occasional on disturbed ground. 1970s E17 list Foeniculum vulgare Fennel Rare, perhaps not permanent. 1970s E17 list Angelica sylvestris Wild Angelica Quite frequent in reed grassland. 1970s E17 list Family: Apiaceae Angelica archangelica Garden Angelica Not yet arrived. Abundant by Hackney Marsh. 1970s E17 list Pastinaca sativa Wild Parsnip Occasional on dry verges. 1970s E17 list Heracleum sphondylium Hogweed Very common everywhere. 1970s E17 list Family: Apiaceae Heracleum mantegazzianum Giant Hogweed Newly appeared on South Marsh. Increasing. 1970s E17 list Apiaceae Heracleum sphondylium x mantegazzianum Hybrid Hogweed One fine plant detected in 1980. 1970s E17 list Daucus carota Carrot Casual. 1970s E17 list Bryonia dioica White Bryony Scarce on dry ground. 1970s E17 list Mercurialis annua Annual Mercury Common on disturbed ground. 1970s E17 list Euphorbia peplus Petty Spurge Common on disturbed ground. 1970s E17 list Euphorbia helioscopia Sun Spurge Occasionally with above. 1970s E17 list Euphorbia x pseudovirgata Twiggy Spurge An alien hybrid near Lea Bridge Road; also on reservoirs. 1970s E17 list Polygonum aviculare Knotgrass Common. 1970s E17 list Family: Polygonaceae Polygonum arenastrum Equal-leaved Knotgrass Common. 1970s E17 list Polygonum persicaria Persicaria Common. 1970s E17 list Polygonum lapathifolium Pale Persicaria Fairly common. 1970s E17 list Polygonum nodosum Knotted Persicaria Decreasing, now scarce. 1970s E17 list Persicaria maculosa Redshank Found on North Marsh in 2014. 2014 Family: Polygonaceae Polygonum hydropiper Water Pepper Common in wet ground. 1970s E17 list Polygonum convolvulus Black Bindweed Occasional on disturbed ground. 1970s E17 list Polygonum amphibium Water Bistort Terrestrial form common. 1970s E17 list Polygonum cuspidatum Japanese Knotweed Occasional dense thickets by River Lea and Leyton Marsh. 1970s E17 list Vinca major Bigleaf periwinkle, large periwinkle, greater periwinkle and blue periwinkle. Spotted in woody land behind a fence on the south side of Lea Bridge Road (between the Sustrans and the Waterworks Centre) . 2014 Apocynaceae Galanthus Snowdrop Spotted in woody land behind a fence on the south side of Lea Bridge Road (between the Sustrans and the Waterworks Centre) . 2014 Amaryllidaceae subfamily Amaryllidoideae Rumex The species of Rumex, or Dock, in the Lea Valley forms one of the most interesting groups of plants to be found anywhere in the London area, or even Britain. Man's treatment of the land in the past has led to a diversity of native species and also to the introduction of several alien species, which now are settling into the stabilising habitats. The process of settling in has led to hybridisation at sterile, partly fertile, and completely fertile levels. Two newly arisen Docks on Walthamstow Marshes are now new to science and it is very much to be hoped that these and their habitats will not be destroyed. A third hybrid new to science, found near Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, may now have gone. This was R. conglomeratus x R. obtusifolius ssp sylvestris. Scientific name English name Status at Walthamstow Rumex acetosa Common Sorrel Quite common in drier grassland. 1970s E17 list Rumex acetosella Sheep's Sorrel Quite common on railway banks. 1970s E17 list Rumex hydrolapathum Great Water Dock Local near Coppermill Stream and elsewhere. 1970s E17 list Rumex cristatus Greek Dock Local but increasing; a huge spectacular species. 1970s E17 list Rumex crispus Curled Dock Quite common. Variable. 1970s E17 list Family: Polygonaceae Rumex obtusifolius Broad-leaved Dock Common. Variable. 1970s E17 list Rumex obtusifolius, subspecies sylvestris An alien relative of the last. Scarce. 1970s E17 list Rumex palustris Marsh Dock Very rare. Formerly by bomb crater but now only a few scattered plants by Coppermill Stream. 1970s E17 list Rumex conglomeratus Clustered Dock Very common. 1970s E17 list Rumex sanguineus var viridis Wood Dock Refound in small quantity on North Marsh in 1979. 1970s E17 list Rumex maritimus Golden Dock Formerly by reservoirs only. Extinct. 1970s E17 list The Dock Hybrids 1970s E17 list The following hybrids have been recorded from this area: 1970s E17 list R. cristatus x obtusifolius R. conglomeratus x crispus 1970s E17 list R. cristatus x crispus R. obtusifolius x crispus 1970s E17 list R. palustris x crispus R. obtusifolius x subspecies sylvestris 1970s E17 list R. palustris x conglomeratus     1970s E17 list Of these, the two following are new to science: R. obtusifolius x subspecies sylvestris : This interbreeding of the native and the alien forms was observed for the first time in 1974 and confirmed by J E Lousley, an authority on the Docks, to whom I showed the plants at Walthamstow. These hybrids are fertile and, if left undisturbed, will eventually stabilise a new intermediate form peculiar to this area. R. obtusifolius x cristatus : This remarkable plant was first discovered by me at Tottenham Hale, in 1974, where it just hangs on despite River Lea bank improvements. It was confirmed and named Rumex x lousleyi in honour of Mr J E Lousley who died in January 1975. A new plant has arisen in company with the parents by the River Lea on the North Marsh and may be the only other plant of this hybrid anywhere in existence in the world at this present time. It appears to be partly fertile but seed viability remains unproven as yet. Further examples of the hybrids listed above and new combinations which have not yet been observed are likely to arise, in company with their parents, in grassland at Walthamstow, in future years, if the locality is allowed to remain in its present favourable condition for this to happen. In this family, and in this locality, we are observing the process of evolution in our own time. Scientific name English name Status at Walthamsto w Urtica dioica Stinging Nettle Common. A vital plant for several butterfly species. 1970s E17 list Family: Urticaceae Urtica urens Small Nettle Occasional on disturbed ground. 1970s E17 list Humulus lupulus Wild Hop Common in tall marsh vegetation. Certainly native. 1970s E17 list Betula pendula Silver Birch A few scattered examples on dry banks. 1970s E17 Nettle Prunus cerasus Dwarf Cherry Found in the triangle behind the Dell. 2015 Acer campestre Field maple Part of a planting near the car park on Coppermill Field. 2015 Acer platanoides Norwegian Maple One of the planted trees screening Coppermill Car Park from view. 2015 Alnus glutinosa Alder A few fine trees near Coppermill (within the reservoirs area) and isolated examples near the Marina and Horseshoe Bridge. 1970s E17 list Alnus cordata Italian Alder Large tree by the bench at the south of Coppermill field. 2015 Cornus sanguinea Dogwood Edge of Coppermill Field.. 2014 Family: Cornaceae Aesculus x carnea Red Horse Chestnut Beside the path close to the riding stables, Leyton Marsh. 2012 Family: Sapindaceae Aesculus hippocastanum Horse Chestnut Beside the path close to the riding stables, Leyton Marsh. 2012 Family: Sapindaceae Populus x canadensis Black Italian Poplar A fine planted row by Leyton Marsh. 1970s E17 list Populus nigra x deltoides = P. x canadensis Hybrid Black Poplar This is the huge tree at the centre of the Oxbow island. 2014 Salix fragilis Crack Willow Very fine ancient group by Marina. 1970s E17 list Salix alba White Willow Fine tree is growing at the edge of the Dell. 2014 Salix alba x babylonica = S. x sepulcralis) Weeping Willow Coppermill Field. 2014 Salix purpurea Purple Osier Very interesting small colony by Coppermill railway bridge and in Stream. 1970s E17 list Salix viminalis Common Osier Two shrubs near the Marina. 1970s E17 list Salix caprea Pussy (or Goat) Willow Numerous shrubs near the Marina. 1970s E17 list Salix caprea x viminalis Hybrid Sallow Two shrubs near the Marina. 1970s E17 list Salix caprea x atrocinerea Hybrid Sallow One superb example only near the Marina. 1970s E17 list Salix atrocinerea Common Sallow Common near the Marina. Variable. 1970s E17 list Salix atrocinerea x viminalis Hybrid Sallow One shrub near the Marina. Recorded at Lea Bridge Road 100 years ago, and of particular interest. 1970s E17 list Salix calodendron   This triple hybrid, Salix viminalis x caprea x atrocinerea, is now represented only by a single surviving tree between the Marina and Coppermill railway bridge and is in urgent need of protection. It is known only in one or two other localities in the London area. The main stock of this species was destroyed by building in 1972. 1970s E17 list Corylus avellana Hazel Found in the Dell. 2015 Lysimachia vulgaris Yellow Loosestrife Very rare in North Marsh, not seen recently. 1970s E17 list Family: Myrsinaceae Lysimachia punctata Dotted Loosestrife Very rare alien, perhaps gone. 1970s E17 list Anagallis arvensis Scarlet Pimpernel Occasional on disturbed ground, 1970s E17 list Family: Primulaceae Buddleja davidii Buddleia Very occasional seedlings in area in 1970s, common by 2015. 1970s E17 list Fraxinus excelsior Ash One or two on railway banks only. 1970s E17 list Ligustrum ovalifolium Japanese Privet One or two planted relics in area. 1970s E17 list Symphytum officinale Common Comfrey Rather scarce. White flowers. On original sedge swamp. 1970s E17 list Family: Boraginaceae Symphytum x uplandicum Russian Comfrey (hybrid) Abundant. Purple-blue flowers. On recently disturbed ground. 1970s E17 list Family: Boraginaceae Myosotis scorpioides Water Forget-me-not Local near Coppermill only. 1970s E17 list Convolvulus arvensis Field Bindweed Common on dry grassy banks. 1970s E17 list Family: Convolvulaceae Calystegia sepium Hedge Bindweed Common in tall marshy vegetation. 1970s E17 list Family: Convolvulaceae Calystegia silvatica Greater Bindweed Common on dry banks. 1970s E17 list Family: Convolvulaceae Calystegia silvatica x sepium Hybrid Bindweed Fairly common. 1970s E17 list Lycium barbarum Duke of Argyll Established on Coppermill railway bank. 1970s E17 list Atropa belladonna Deadly Nightshade 1970s E17 list Solanum nigrum Black Nightshade Found both in the Dell and Waterworks NR. This one was in the Waterworks. 2014 Solanum dulcamara Woody Nightshade Frequent in marshy vegetation. 1970s E17 list Family: Solanaceae Antirrhinum majus Snapdragon Casual on disturbed ground. 1970s E17 list Linaria vulgaris Yellow Toadflax Common. Grassland and railway banks. 1970s E17 list Family: Scrophulariaceae Linaria purpurea Purple Toadflax Occasional casual. Attractive. 1970s E17 list Chaenorhinum minus Small Toadflax Coppermill. Abundant by railway. 1970s E17 list Mimulus guttatus Monkey Flower Recently found by Marina. 1970s E17 list Scrophularia aquatica Water Figwort Occasional in marshland. 1970s E17 list Veronica persica Buxbaum's Speedwell Occasional on disturbed ground. 1970s E17 list Veronica arvensis Wall Speedwell Occasional in short turf. 1970s E17 list Veronica hederifolia Ivy-leaved Speedwell Occasional on loose soil. 1970s E17 list Veronica catenata Pink Water Speedwell Very notable for this area. Scarce. 1970s E17 list Veronica beccabunga Brooklime Rare in marsh by Coppermill Stream only. 1970s E17 list Mentha spicata Spearmint Rarely established in rough grassland. 1970s E17 list Mentha aquatica Water Mint Fairly plentiful. Coppermill etc. 1970s E17 list Family: Lamiaceae Mentha alopecuroides Greater Apple Mint An occasional introduction. 1970s E17 list Mentha longifolia Horse Mint As above. 1970s E17 list Lycopus europaeus Gipsywort Quite common in marsh vegetation. 1970s E17 list Stachys palustris Marsh Woundwort Rather scarce in marsh vegetation. 1970s E17 list Family: Lamiaceae Ballota nigra Black Horehound Frequent. White-flowered form by River Lea north of Springfield Park. 1970s E17 list Family: Lamiaceae Lamium purpureum Red Deadnettle Very common in Spring. 1970s E17 list Family: Lamiaceae Lamium album White Dead Nettle Very common. 1970s E17 list Family: Lamiaceae Prunella vulgaris Selfheal Found in Waterworks NR open land,. 2015 Lamium amplexicaule Henbit Scarce on disturbed ground. 1970s E17 list Galeopsis bifida Hemp Nettle Scarce in grass near Coppermill. 1970s E17 list Scutellaria galericulata Skullcap Scarce by Coppermill Stream. 1970s E17 list Plantago major Greater Plantain Common. 1970s E17 list Plantago lanceolata Ribwort Plantain Common. 1970s E17 list Family: Plantaginaceae Galium mollugo White Bedstraw Very scarce on railway banks. 1970s E17 list Family: Rubiaceae. Galium erectum Upright Bedstraw A reservoir speciality. Here too? 1970s E17 list Galium verum Lady's Bedstraw A single patch known for 15 years. 1970s E17 list Galium aparine Goosegrass/ cleavers Common. 1970s E17 list Family: Rubiaceae. Galium palustre Marsh Bedstraw Interesting marsh relic, scarce in two spots. 1970s E17 list Sambucus nigra Elder Common on dry banks. 1970s E17 list Family: Adoxaceae. Dipsacus fullonum Teasel One or two patches of this very spectacular plant in the North Marsh area among Sallows. 1970s E17 list Family: Caprifoliaceae. Lonicera periclymenum Honeysuckle Found along the railway side, next to the Sustrans in 2014. 2014 Family: Caprifoliaceae. Helianthus annuus Sunflower Rare casual on disturbed ground. 1970s E17 list Helianthus decapetalus Narrow-leaved Sunflower Established in the past, perhaps gone. 1970s E17 list Helianthus rigidus Prairie Sunflower One or two established patches 1970s E17 list Helianthus tuberosus Jersualem Artichoke A large patch by River Lea, usually cut back. 1970s E17 list Rudbeckia speciosa Cone Flower Rare casual, garden escape. 1970s E17 list Helenium autumnale As above. 1970s E17 list Bidens tripartita Bur Marigold Common on muddier ground and in sedge swamp. 1970s E17 list Family: Asteraceae Solidago gigantea Giant Goldenrod Found beside the ditch of the South Marsh, in 2014. 2014 Family: Asteraceae Galinsoga ciliata Shaggy Soldier Rare casual on disturbed ground. 1970s E17 list Galinsoga parviflora Gallant Soldier As above. 1970s E17 list Senecio vulgaris Groundsel Common weed of disturbed ground. 1970s E17 list Senecio jacobaea Common Ragwort Common in tall grassland. 1970s E17 list Family: Asteraceae Subfamily: Asteroideae Tribe: Senecioneae Senecio viscosus Sticky Groundsel Occasional on railway ballast. 1970s E17 list Senecio squalidus Oxford Ragwort Very common on bare and stony ground. 1970s E17 list Senecio inaequidens Narrow-Leaved Ragwort This is another new plant. A recent newcomer from South Africa. It is on the invasive plants list. Observed on the 'Waterland' scrub land. in 2014. 2014 Family: Asteraceae Tussilago farfara Coltsfoot Common on grassy verges. 1970s E17 list Pulicarias dysenteric Yellow Fleabane Frequent on damper ground. 1970s E17 list Family: Asteraceae Solidago canadensis Garden or Canadian Golden-rod Established here and there. 1970s E17 list Family: Asteraceae Tribe: Astereae Aster x lanceolatus Michaelmas Daisy Well established in grassland with hybrids. 1970s E17 list Family: Asteraceae Tribe: Astereae Aster x novi-belgii Michaelmas Daisy Well established in grassland with hybrids. 1970s E17 list Family: Asteraceae Tribe: Astereae Aster x salignus Michaelmas Daisy Well established in grassland with hybrids. 1970s E17 list Family: Asteraceae Tribe: Astereae Conyza canadensis Canadian Fleabane A frequent weed of disturbed ground. 1970s E17 list Bellis perennis Daisy Quite common in short grass. 1970s E17 list Family: Asteraceae Eupatorium cannabinum Hemp Agrimony Scarce in marsh vegetation near Coppermill. 1970s E17 list Agrimonia eupatoria Agrimony Found on South Marsh, roughly in the middle!. 2015 Agrostemma githago Corncockle Found in a bunker on the old golf course. 2015 Achillea millefolium Yarrow Common in grass. Interesting colour forms. 1970s E17 list Family: Asteraceae Achillea ptarmica Sneezewort One large plant only from 1962 to 1980. 1970s E17 list Tripleurospermum maritimum Scentless Mayweed Common. 1970s E17 list Matricaria recutita Scented Mayweed Quite common with the above. 1970s E17 list Matricaria matricarioides Pineappleweed Very common on all trodden pathways. 1970s E17 list Chrysanthemum leucanthemum (Leucanthemum vulgare) Ox-eye Daisy Local on railway banks. 1970s E17 list Family:Asteraceae Chrysanthemum maximum Shasta Daisy Formerly occurred as garden escape. 1970s E17 list Family:Asteraceae Tanacetum vulgare Tansy Rather common in tall marsh vegetation. 1970s E17 list Family:Asteraceae Artemisia vulgaris Mugwort Common. 1970s E17 list Family:Asteraceae Artemisia absinthium Wormwood Very rare. 1970s E17 list Artemisia verlotiorum Chinese Wormwood Very local. 1970s E17 list Arctium minus Lesser Burdock Occasional in marshy places. 1970s E17 list Family:Asteraceae Tribe: Cynareae Arctium lappa Greater Burdock Scarce. 1970s E17 list Cirsium vulgare Spear Plume Thistle Fairly common. 1970s E17 list Family:Asteraceae Cirsium arvense Creeping Thistle Abundant. A white-flowered form persists. 1970s E17 list Family:Asteraceae Silybum marianum Milk Thistle Casual in 1972. 1970s E17 list Carduus acanthoides Welted Thistle Uncertain occurrence. Grows by reservoirs. 1970s E17 list Centaurea nigra Black Knapweed Locally common and variable in grass. 1970s E17 list Family:Asteraceae Centaurea cyanus Cornflower Casual in 1961 (garden escape). 1970s E17 list Lapsana communis Nipplewort Quite common in dry localities. 1970s E17 list Hypochaeris radicata Cat's Ear Common in drier and shorter turf. 1970s E17 list Leontodon autumnalis Autumn Hawkbit Occasionally frequent in places. 1970s E17 list Picris hieracioides Hawkweed Ox-tongue Occasional. 1970s E17 list Family: Compositae Picris echioides Bristly Ox-tongue Occasional. 1970s E17 list Family: Asteraceae Tragopogon minor Goat's Beard Fairly frequent. 1970s E17 list Tragopogon pratensis Goat's Beard A larger form very rare near Lea Bridge. 1970s E17 list Lactuca serriola Prickly Lettuce Very common in rough pasture. 1970s E17 list Sonchus arvensis Corn Sowthistle Occasional in marshy places. 1970s E17 list Family: Asteraceae Tribe: Cichorieae Sonchus asper Prickly Sowthistle Occasional on disturbed ground. 1970s E17 list Sonchus oleraceus Common Sowthistle As above. 1970s E17 list Hieracium perpropinquum Leafy Hawkweed Local on grassy banks. 1970s E17 list Hieracium pilosella Mouse-ear Hawkweed As above. 1970s E17 list Crepis vesicaria Beaked Hawksbeard Fairly common. 1970s E17 list Crepis capillaris Smooth Hawksbeard Fairly common. 1970s E17 list Taraxacum officinale Dandelion Common. Probably about 8 to 10 different species of Dandelion in this locality. They require very specialist attention. 1970s E17 list Sagittaria sagittifolia Arrowhead Not on Marsh. By Springfield Park only. 1970s E17 list Alisma plantago-aquatica Water Plantain Scarce by Coppermill Stream. 1970s E17 list Alisma lanceolatum Narrow Water Plantain Formerly in bomb crater pond, now extinct. 1970s E17 list Butomus umbellatus Flowering Rush Probably now extinct in bomb crater pond. 1970s E17 list Elodea canadensis Canadian Waterweed Quite common near Coppermill. 1970s E17 list Potamogeton pectinatus Fennel Pondweed Locally plentiful in River Lea and Coppermill Stream. 1970s E17 list Potamogeton crispus Frog's Lettuce With above at Coppermill. 1970s E17 list Asparagus officinalis Asparagus Occasional in South Marsh. Established alien. 1970s E17 list Juncus inflexus Weeping Willow Surprisingly uncommon for this area. 1970s E17 list Juncus effusus Soft Rush As above. A few clumps only. 1970s E17 list Juncus bufonius Toad Rush Plentiful by one railway bridge. 1970s E17 list Juncus articulatus Jointed Rush By bomb crater pond only, perhaps surviving. 1970s E17 list Juncus subnodulosus Perennial Rye Grass Boggy area of South Marsh. 2015 Crassula helmsii New Zealand Pigmyweed Seems to have invaded Walthamstow Marsh. 2012 Crassulaceae Iris germanica Bearded Iris An occasional garden escape. 1970s E17 list Iris pseudacorus Yellow Flag Plentiful at Coppermill, rare elsewhere. 1970s E17 list Iridaceae Acorus calamus Sweet Flag Very notable plant for this area. Local but sometimes plentiful and flowering. 1970s E17 list Endymion hispanicus Spanish Bluebell Rare casual, garden escape. 1970s E17 list Lemna minor Common Duckweed Common or abundant in Coppermill Stream. 1970s E17 list Lemna gibba Fat Duckweed As above and growing with it. 1970s E17 list Lemna trisulca Ivy-leaved Duckweed Usually common with the last two. 1970s E17 list Lemna polyrhiza Great Duckweed Scarce in River Lea. Extinct in [sic]. 1970s E17 list Sparganium erectum Branched Bur-Reed Scarce in Coppermill Stream 1970s E17 list Sparganium emersum Unbranched Bur-Reed Scarce in River Lea, never flowering. 1970s E17 list Typha latifolia Reed Mace Fine stands near Marina. 1970s E17 list Typha angustifolia Lesser Reed Mace Decreasing stand at Coppermill. To preserve. 1970s E17 list Carex The sedge communities of Walthamstow Marshes were made the object of specialised study in 1980 and are now considered our finest evidence of ancient water meadow habitat. Carex vesicaria, spicata, oralis, nigra and pseudocyperus have not been re-found so far, but the most abundant sedges, previously recorded under C. acutiformis, are now known to be a co-dominant mixture of the similar C. acuta and C. x subgracilis. Critical examination in May/June is essential to identify these plants correctly. Our sedge records are now revised as follows: Scientific name English name Status at Walthamstow Carex pendula Pendulous Sedge Observed on Sustrans, beside Leyton Marsh. 2015 Carex riparia Great Pond Sedge A little in Coppermill Stream and a patch in a relict ditch in the Triangle. 1970s E17 list Carex acutiformis Lesser Pond Sedge Plentiful as a waterside plant by Coppermill Stream. Abundant in the reservoirs. 1970s E17 list Carex acuta Graceful Sedge Newly recognised as abundant and very fine in relatively undisturbed pasture throughout. 1970s E17 list Carex x subgracilis Hybrid Sedge A cross between C. acuta and acutiformis, largely or totally sterile, intermediate in appearance and distributed throughout the range and habitat of C. acuta, in large quantity. This most remarkable plant is confirmed by Dr Stace of Leicester University (the British authority on wild hybrids) and also by the British Museum. If it can be shown that the entire Walthamstow Marshes population is one clone, (i.e. the vegetatively distributed offspring of a single historical cross-fertilisation) then we shall have living proof of a habitat of very exceptional antiquity. 1970s E17 list Carex hirta Hairy or Hammer Sedge Very common in drier grassland. 1970s E17 list Carex disticha Brown Sedge Found to be very common in both North and South Marsh on moderately damp ground. 1970s E17 list Carex otrubae False Fox Sedge Several tufts only by drainage channel in Triangle. Found at the edge of rabbit mown grass in the Triangle behind the dell in 2015. 1970s E17 list Phragmites australis Common Reed Found on North and south Marshes. 2014 Phragmites communis Common Reed Several fine stands, usually dominant. 1970s E17 list Glyceria maxima Great Water Grass Abundant as tall pasture. 1970s E17 list Glyceria fluitans Sweet Grass Local in ditch. 1970s E17 list Festuca pratensis Meadow Fescue Common. Probably hybridises with next. 1970s E17 list Festuca arundinacea Tall Fescue Common and variable. 1970s E17 list Festuca rubra Red Fescue Common and very variable. 1970s E17 list Festuca tenuifolia Fine-leaved Sheep's Fescue Scarce on dry railway banks. 1970s E17 list Festuca ovina Sheep's Fescue Yet to be confirmed from this area. 1970s E17 list Lolium perenne Perennial Rye Grass Very common. Hybridises with next. 1970s E17 list Lolium multiflorum Italian Rye Grass Occasional on disturbed ground. 1970s E17 list Festuca pratensis x Lolium perenne   Occasionally occurs and is distinctive. 1970s E17 list Poa annua Annual Meadow Grass Very common especially on bare paths. 1970s E17 list Poa trivialis Rough Meadow Grass Common. 1970s E17 list Poa pratensis Smooth Meadow Grass Common and variable. 1970s E17 list Catabrosa aquatica Water Whorl Grass Most interesting species. Sporadic. 1970s E17 list Dactylis glomerata Cock's Foot Common. 1970s E17 list Cynosurus cristatus Crested Dog's Tail Quite common in dry grassland. 1970s E17 list Zerna erecta Upright Brome Common on railway banks. 1970s E17 list Anisantha sterilis Barren Brome Very common, especially in Spring. 1970s E17 list Bromus mollis Soft Brome Common on disturbed ground. 1970s E17 list Bromus mollis var leiostachys   Is a glabrous form of uncertain status. Local. 1970s E17 list Bromus lepidus Lesser Soft Brome By Coppermill Lane; small, interesting colony discovered in 1975. Still there. 1970s E17 list Agropyron repens Couch Grass Abundant. 1970s E17 list Agropyron repens var aristatum   Couch Grass Common with the type 1970s E17 list Triticum aestivum Bread Wheat Casual. 1970s E17 list Hordeum distichon Two Row Barley Casual. 1970s E17 list Hordeum vulgare Common Barley Casual. 1970s E17 list Hordeum murinum Wall Barley Common. 1970s E17 list Hordeum secalinum Meadow Barley Locally plentiful in dry grassland. 1970s E17 list Trisetum flavescens Yellow Oat Local in short dry grassland. 1970s E17 list Avena fatua Wild Oat Local in short dry grassland. 1970s E17 list Avena sativa Oat Casual. 1970s E17 list Arrhenatherum elatius False Oat Very common, including bulbous forms. 1970s E17 list Deschampsia caespitosa Tufted Hair Grass An anciently established native of wet clay meadows, rather scarce on North and South Marshes, but very fine in Triangle. 1970s E17 list Agrostis tenuis Fine Bent Grass Very common in dry grassland. 1970s E17 list Agrostis stolonifera Creeping Bent Grass or Fiorin Very common on damper ground. 1970s E17 list Agrostis stolonifera x tenuis Hybrid Bent Probably common. 1970s E17 list Agrostis gigantea Black Bent Occasional on disturbed ground. 1970s E17 list Agrostis castellana and hybrids   Highland Bent Probably common. Difficult to name. 1970s E17 list Agrostis canina Brown Bent Yet to be confirmed from here. 1970s E17 list Holcus lanatus Yorkshire Fog Common. 1970s E17 list Phleum pratense Timothy Common. 1970s E17 list Phleum nodosum Cat's Tail Scarce. Merges into the last. 1970s E17 list Alopecurus geniculatus Marsh Foxtail Local. 1970s E17 list Alopecurus pratensis Meadow Foxtail Frequent, especially on South Marsh. 1970s E17 list Alopecurus myosuroides Slender Foxtail Local on disturbed ground. 1970s E17 list Secale cereale Rye Casual. 1970s E17 list Phalaris arundinacea Reed Grass An abundant marsh and pasture grass. 1970s E17 list Phalaris canariensis Canary Grass Casual. 1970s E17 list Panicum miliaceum Millet Casual. 1970s E17 list Galium palustre Marsh Bedstraw Most interesting marsh relic. Very scarce, in two places only. 1970s E17 list Galium aparine Goosegrass Very common. 1970s E17 list Mosses Approximately ten species of moss occur in this area. Seven have been named, including: Byrum argentium 1970s E17 list Tortula muralis 1970s E17 list Grimmia pulvinata 1970s E17 list Ceratodon purpureus 1970s E17 list Funaria hygrometrica 1970s E17 list Liverworts and stoneworts appear to be extinct. The lichen Leconora conaizeoides is frequent. Species of Enteromorpha and Blanket Weed Algae are common, and these, like numerous fungi species, require specialist identification. 1970s E17 list Brian Wurzell.

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