98 THE WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY MAGAZINE 
the Arable Weed Survey of South Wiltshire 1999, it 
was established that prior to 1999, there were 8 
sites. After this 7 were re-surveyed and plants 
found on only 2, but 5 new sites had been noted. 
The seeds have a very long viability and the 
capsules produce about 80 seeds each resembling 
minute shiny mirrors. 
The Small Toadflax (Chaenorrhinum minus) also 
occurs in small numbers scattered on chalky fields 
and is again in decline. 
There were two unusual poppies, Rough- 
headed poppy and Prickly poppy (Papaver hybridum 
and P argemone). Rough-headed poppy has a similar 
distribution to that recorded by Grose 1957, and the 
1999 survey gave 8 sites, of which 6 were re- 
surveyed and plants found on only 2, but 4 new sites 
were noted. The prickly poppy is scarcer. In the 
1999 survey, 6 sites were recorded, of which 4 were 
found not to contain the plant when re-surveyed in 
1999, but 3 new sites were noted. What was most 
surprising was to find them growing together. 
The survey revealed the presence of several 
aliens resistant to herbicides such as Pineapple weed 
(Matricaria matncarioides) which was only introduced 
into Wiltshire in 1925 and is now abundant. On the 
farm it was present in 13 of the 15 sites. This plant 
owes its success to vegetative propagation as the tiny 
particles carried on tractor wheels and boots can all 
germinate. Two other introductions found during 
the survey were Field Speedwell (Veronica persica), 
first recorded in 1859 and now abundant in 
Wiltshire, and the much more recently arrived 
Prickly Lettuce (Lactuca serriola) found on the edge 
of Well Down 3, which is spreading rapidly. 
In regard to fauna it is worth noting that many 
insects attracted to the plants have also been given 
an opportunity to proliferate. In particular, there 
were innumerable hoverflies, Episyrphus balteatus, 
probably the result of an influx of migrants from 
Europe, although they do also breed here, nectaring 
on the Scentless Mayweed and the Sow-Thistle 
which have open flowers with easily accessible 
nectar. Three other species of hoverfly Scaeva 
pyrastri, another migrant, Sphaerophoria scripta and 
Leucozona laternaria were also recorded. It was 
encouraging to see such large numbers of these 
aphid-consuming insects which would not have 
been attracted to the cereal crops in the adjacent 
fields. 
Two areas were also sown with a wildlife seed 
mix including Quinoa, a Chenopodium that 
originated in Peru and is related to Fat-hen. This 
produces copious seed in autumn and will be left 
until March 15 to provide a food source for many 
farmland birds that are also in decline. Another 
area was cleared and left open to encourage Stone 
Curlew although none bred on the farm in 2003. 
Conclusion 
The success of the Countryside Stewardship 
Scheme, when applied to the creation of field 
margins to promote greater biodiversity, is proved 
on this farm. A remarkable number of rare and 
threatened arable plants, presumably propagated 
from long buried seed, were observed, some of 
which have not been recorded in Wiltshire for 
many years. Similarly, several plants that have been 
declining in recent years were also recorded, as were 
a variety of insects and birds. It is worth noting that 
many other habitat enhancements have also been 
recommended by DEFRA though not all were 
suitable for this farm. 
References 
BANKS, J. 2002, Rare arable weeds in Wiltshire, Journal 
of the Wiltshire Botanical Society, no 5 
GILLAM, B., GREEN, D., and HUTCHISON, A. 1993, 
The Flora of Wiltshire. Newbury: Pisces 
GROSE, D. 1957 The Flora of Wiltshire. Devizes: WANHS 
LAST, B. 2000, The Flora of Berwick St. James, Journal of 
the Wiltshire Botanical Society, no 3 
LAST, B. 2001, Habitats of Berwick St. James, Journal of 
the Wiltshire Botanical Society, no 4 
SALISBURY, E. 1961, Weeds and Aliens. London: Collins. 
STACE, C. 1991, New Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge: 
Cambridge University Press 
