Page:VCH Kent 1.djvu/115

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BOTANY daffodil {N. Pseudo-narcissus, L.) is however frequent, and often grows in great plenty, particularly on clay. Only eight stations are known for Galanthus nivalis, L. (snowdrop), which is usually, if not always, planted. The snowflake [Leucojum cestivum, L.) has perhaps been recently destroyed in Plumstead Marshes, where it was certainly found up to 1888 ; it is extinct at Greenwich, but probably survives by the Medway at Cuxton. LiLiACE^. — Asparagus officinalis, L. formerly grew by the Thames at Greenwich and Gravesend, and still exists near Romney. Polygonatum multijiorum. All. (Solomon's seal) is rare, though found in eight divisions ; the only ascertained habitat of P. officinale. All. being Joyden's Wood, Bexley. Convallaria majalis, L. (Uly of the valley) is local, rather than rare. Allium vineale, L. (crow garlic) and A. ursinum, L. (ramsons) are generally distributed ; A. oleraceum, L. chiefly grows in east Kent, and is nowhere common. Scilla autumnalis, L, lingers on Blackheath, and probably still occurs at Shorne Warren. Fritillaria Meleagris, L. (snake's-head) used to be found at Bromley, Higham and Upnor, and may yet exist in the two last-named stations. Gagea fascicularis, Salisb. has been reported from West Coombe Park and Dartford ; Colchicum autumnale, L. (meadow saffron) from Littlebourne and Cranbrook, as well as (formerly) from near Plumstead. Narthecium ossifragum, Huds. (bog asphodel) is quite scarce ; its only stations being at Bromley, Keston, Hothfield, Willesborough and near Tunbridge Wells. Herb Paris {Paris quadrifolia, L.), found in every district, abounds in many chalk copses. JuNCACE^. — The scarceness of Juncus squarrosus, L. is strange, considering the number of heaths in the county ; we only know of about half a dozen distinct stations, though it is frequent near Tun- bridge Wells. Some of those assigned to J. compressus, Jacq. doubt- less belong to J. Gerardi, Loisel. y . maritimus. Lam. is plentiful, ascending the Thames up to Erith ; but y. acutus, L. only extends along the sandy stretch between Deal and Pegwell Bay. y . obtusijiorus, Ehrh. is local and mainly submaritime. Luzula Forsteri, DC. abounds in many parts, often forming hybrids with L. vernalis, DC. (' L. Borreri, Bromf ') ; and L. maxima, DC. (great woodrush), though absent over large areas, is not uncommon ; this also holds good of L. erecta, Desv. {multiflora, Lej.). Typhace^. — Both species of bulrush are locally plentiful, T. angustifoUa, L. probably more so than in any other English county. Sparganium neglectum, Beeby, a recent segregate, will surely prove to be frequent when better known ; and S. simplex, Huds. grows in every district but 10. Excepting a Tunbridge Wells specimen in Dillenius' herbarium, the peat-loving S. minimum, Fr. appears to be limited to the brooks, Margate, and the marshes about Deal and Sandwich. Aroide^. — Arum italicum. Mill, flourishes near the south coast at Folkestone, Sandgate, Shornecliffe and Postling. Acorus Calamus, L. (sweet flag) has been found in Sturry Marshes (district 5), at Penshurst, and by a pond in private grounds at Bexley.