Wildlife Review 2025: Plants

A total of 472 species were recorded during the year, (cf. 460 in 2024 & 473 in 2023), including three species new to the Recording Area flora. None of these species were native, and although one, Cornflower Centaurea cyanus is considered an archaeophyte (non-native, arrived before AD1500) its origin is unknown. The other two, Rosy Garlic Allium roseum and Canadian Fleabane Conyza canadensis are both increasing their range in Devon.

Cornflower 3rd June - Kevin Rylands

One species was recorded for the first time in at least five years, with Marsh Foxtail Alopecurus geniculatus presumably just overlooked in recent years.

Of those found new to the Warren last year, Toothed Fireweed Senecio minimus again appeared in a planter by the Boathouse but succumbed to drought before flowering, Many-seeded Goosefoot Lipandra polysperma increased and the Early Purple Orchid Orchis mascula again flowered in Greenland Lake.

Sand Crocus Romulea columnae first emerged on 25th Mar, (cf. 18th Mar 24, 25th Mar 23 & 22nd Mar 22) with better numbers flowering than 2024 in the sunny conditions but a much shorter season presumably due to the dry weather

Sand Crocus Romulea columnae 30th March - David Flack

Populations of Mossy Stonecrop Crassula tillea around the Golf Course and Buffer Zone continued to expand, perhaps negatively impacting a couple of rare bare ground liverworts! The dry spring however impacted many species with few of the rarer clovers noted in flower and some species unrecorded. On the plus side a few of the non-native species also struggled although Hare’s-tail Lagurus ovatus continued its spread.

The continuing erosion finally washed away the Pyramidal Orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis colony on Warren Point, which was breached in several areas, providing a new refuge for strandline plants, such as Prickly Saltwort Salsola kali suffering from a loss of available habitat along the beach. A new Pyramidal Orchid was however found near the Dune Pond.

Pyramidal Orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis 17th June - Alan Keatley

The dry spring and summer reduced numbers of flowering of Southern Marsh Orchid Dactylorhiza praetermissa, Bee Orchid Ophrys apifera, Marsh Helleborine Epipactis palustris and Autumn Ladies-tresses Spiranthes spiralis. It wasn’t all bad news for orchids with all four Green-winged Orchid Orchis morio flowering including the one on Warren Point.

Green-winged Orchid Orchis morio 19th April - Kevin Rylands

Dawlish Warren Flora