riRLP MEETINGS^ 1949 
55 
Tuesday, July 19th. 
An early start was made on the last day to visit the northward 
extension of ‘ Rreckland.’ Snch a large area was to be covered that 
much of the day was in the nature of roadside botanising at such chosen 
spots as Merton, East Harling Heath, and Thetford. 
At Merton the Cucvhalvs haccifer was in abundance. This plant, 
although first found by F. Robinson in 1906, continues to hold its own 
but no explanation has been forthcoming of its arrival here. At East 
Harling Heath a typical chalk-heath flora was observed which inchided 
Aspervla cynanchica , Scahiosa columbaria, stemless and stemmed forms 
of Cirsium acaulon, Phleum nodosum, with characteristic ‘ Breckland ’ 
plants such as Silene Otites and Medicago falcata. 
During the coach-ride through this area the party deplored the sight 
of line after line of regimented conifers, which have made considerable 
inroads on once excellent botanical hunting ground, hut were pleased to 
be shown a few outliers of the very rare Veronica spicata. 
Picnic lunch was taken on Barnham Cross Common, which was 
selected for a visit since it is unique in being the only common in the 
British Isles to support nearly all the typical ‘ Breck ’ plants. 
The time of the year coiipled with the intense drought did not favour 
many species being found, but members succeeded in seeing such plants 
as Medicago falcata; scattered populations of forms intermediate be- 
tween that plant and the cultivated lucerne; Scleranthus perermis; 
Artemisia campestris in bud; and Phleum phleoides. This last rare 
East Anglian grass is protected from grazing animals by growing in 
one of the many small but deep depressions. Members were able to 
observe the variatiorL in this species which, Mr Hubbard pointed out, 
appears in two minor forms in this country, one with scabrous-keeled 
glumes and the other with ciliate-keeled glumes. 
On the way back brief halts were made at Santon to see the abiTn- 
dant alien grass, Bromus tectorum; at Stoke Ferry to see the Berteroa 
incana ^here it has persisted for the past twenty years and where one 
plant of Bromus Gussonii was found; and a final stop at Wormegay 
where Apera spica-venti has been found recently in quantity. 
After tea at the headquarters the excursion was officially ended. 
Three vice-county records are to be noted : — Sisymbrium polyceratium 
found by Mr J. L.- Gilbert on an old cinema site in the town of King’s 
Lynn; Impatiens parviflora found by Dr. D. P. Young on a rubbish heap 
near the King’s Lynn Docks — possibly introduced with Russian timber; 
and Althaea hirsvta discovered by Mr Sandwith at West Newton. 
The first two plants were not found in the course of field- 
work on the organised excursions but were discovered before the start 
of the day’s programme. They both lay within a few yards of the head- 
quarters of this meeting ! 
For permission to visit private property and estates grateful acknow- 
ledgment is made. 
