West Thorney

Meeting date: 19 August 2007

(Leader: Anne de Potier)

The big horizons of Thorney pregnant with cloud yet no rain fell upon the party of 20 in the virtually unrecorded square of SU70L. Almost all of the maritime specialities surrendered eventually, notably Cakile maritima (Sea Rocket), Inula crithmoides (Golden-samphire), Atriplex laciniata (Frosted Orache), Bupleurum tenuissimum (Slender Hare’s-ear) and Carex divisa (Divided Sedge).  The differences between Oenanthe pimpinelloides (Corky-fruited Water-dropwort) and C. lachenalii (Parsley Water-dropwort) were displayed, while a small tip permitted a comparison of Conyza sumatrensis (Guernsey Fleabane) with C. bilboana.  Members from both vice counties worked in harmony and it was especially good to welcome our Treasurer, who, it must be said, comported himself with decorum and did not allow the words ‘subscription’, ‘overdue’ or ‘exterminate’ to pass his lips.   After our return to the cars a further sortie suggested itself and we kept the Knappmeister happy with more additions to the card, notably Roy’s find of Peplus portulacoides established along a runway.  We were greatly in the debt of Anne: her impressive knowledge of birds – and indeed plants – is only matched by her understanding of botanists, so that at times she was able to muster the kind of patience to which only the saintliest could aspire.