48 



& ^election from tlye papers* 

 vzah before tlje gtoctetiT* 



Some Isle of Purbeck Plants. 



By C. B. Green. 



(Read before the Botanical Section, Part I., December 9th. 1914 ; 

 Part II., February 1th, 1915. 



I. DlCOTYLEDONES. 



The Isle of Purbeck is situated in East Dorset and is bounded 

 on three sides by water, viz., The Channel, Swanage and Studland 

 Bays, and Poole Harbour; while on the fourth, or Western side, a 

 small stream known as Luckford Lake, rises near East Lulworth 

 and loses its individuality near West Holme, where it debouches 

 into the river Frome and then into Poole Harbour. Such a dis- 

 trict, with its varied strata and many levels, its great chalk range 

 and its limestone hills, must have a peculiar interest to the botanist 

 as well as to the geologist. This, I hope, will duly appear as I 

 proceed. 



Perhaps I ought first to say that my connection with the dis- 

 trict only dates from 191 1 — the year of the great drought. As 

 I had been for some time interested in gardening and botany, I 

 embraced the earliest opportunity of acquiring the two principal 

 works on the local flora, viz., the Flora of Dorset (1895), and the 

 Flora of Bournemouth (1900). As the latter includes the former 

 — for all practical purposes — and is more up-to-date, I propose to 

 take this, in conjunction with the recent review in the Society's 

 Handbook by the same authority, as my vade mecum. While the 

 History of Purbeck has been well told in that publication, there 

 are still a few things that may be said — a few plants that may be 

 recorded for our particular section. 



Although the Isle of Purbeck contains extraordinary physical 

 features, I think it will be as well to deal with the flora in natural 

 sequence on account of the limited area, rather than to split it up 

 into groups or associations. 



Thus I will begin with Ranunculacege, always premising that 

 I intend — with few exceptions — only to take notice of new, rare 

 or uncommon plants, and to indicate fresh habitats or stations. 



Adonis annua, L., the Pheasant's Eye, is a very beautiful 

 plant, with finely cut leaves and bright scarlet flowers, and is well 

 placed in the Buttercup order. It is not common anywhere, and 

 therefore to have it in some quantity in Purbeck, between Sea- 

 combe and St. Aldhelm's Head, is a pleasant feature. Although 

 it is not supposed to be a native, it has established itself on the 



