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The butterfly and bird’s nest ditto are generally very plentiful. The true 
0. Bifolia, however, is only found in a place or two, as likewise the pretty little 
ladies’ tresses (Spiranthes autumnalis). The Helleborines, Cephalanthera ensifolia, 
and grandiflora, and Epipactis ovalis are quite rare, and found jonly occasionally. 
As an illustration of the curious way in which orchidaceous plants spring 
up suddenly in fresh spots, we may mention the finding near Bromyard a few 
years ago of the Epipogon aphyllum, which has never before or since been gathered 
in Britain. 
In addition to the above we may include the aromatic Orchus conopsea, the 
rare pyramidalis with its beautiful close crimson spike, also Orchis ustulata and 
latifolia. One other scarce plant may be noticed as growing very sparingly in one 
spot, on a very thick part of the woods, the Cynoglossum montanum or wood 
hound’s-tongue, the other species being particularly common. 
About 27 species of ferns (not including the minor varieties) are to be found 
round Ross, that is if we extend the boundary as far as the Black Mountain, where 
the Asplenium viride and Aspidium Thelypteris are both found. 
The Royal fern, O. regalis, however, can scarcely be said to grow now, as it 
appears to have become extinct, one lady in her zeal (as it is reported) having sent 
a wagon to transplant it to her fernery. 
Fragilis was plentiful a few years since on the Coldwell Rock, but is now 
nearly gone. Robertianum or Calcareum, the limestone polypody still abundant, 
although a very good locality has been temporarily destroyed by railway quarrying. 
The sweet-scented @mula has hitherto only been found very scantily grow- 
ing under the base of arock. The adder’s tongue and moon-wort, both grow near 
us. The “‘ oak” fern is plentiful on the borders of the Forest of Dean, but the 
“beech ” fern much more rarely. Perhaps in few places do the ‘ hart’s tongue” 
and other commoner ferns grow in greater profusion or strength than in our woods. 
Several rare grasses are met with, such as the Bromus erectus, Melica nutans, 
Hordeum sylvaticum, Alopecurus fulvus, Bromus secalinus and velutinus, Brachy- 
podium, pinnatum, Calamintha epigejos, or the wood reed, &c., &c. The ‘‘ drunken 
darnel,” as it used to be called (Lolium temulentum) the only poisonous grass in 
England, sometimes comes up in the rectory glebe near Ross. 
We have also the Gagcew luted, or yellow star of Bethlehem, apparently 
wild; the other species Ornithogalum nutans and umbellatum being apparently 
garden escapes. The evergreen alkanet (Anchusa sempervirens) with its intensely 
blue flowers, and the Deptford pink (Dianthus armeria), are both good plants. 
Then of plants used for medical purposes, in addition to some before named, we 
have the Digitalis in profusion ; the deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna) with its 
potato-like haulm, its dull purple flowers and black currant-like fruit. 
The Elecampane (Inula Helenium) with its soft downy leaves, two feet long, 
and its large sunflower blossoms. The Henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) scarce and 
uncertain in its growth. The mother’s wort, or as it is called by the villagers 
“the Hand of God” (Leonwrus cardiaca) a plant held in great veneration by some. 
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