Wildlife Review 2025: Plants, Bryophytes, Lichens, Fungi and Algae

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

Mosses & Liverworts (Bryophytes)
Two of the 37 species noted were new to the Recording Area, Lesser Pocket-moss Fissidens bryoides at Langstone Rock and Common Pottia Tortula truncata on the Golf Course, both common and widespread species.

Despite being lost under the base of a summer ferris wheel numbers of two nationally rare liverworts Micheli's Balloonwort Sphaerocarpos michelii and Blue Crystalwort Riccia crystallina were boosted by its bare ground creation once removed, however following reseeding numbers again declined. 

Petalwort Petalophyllum ralfsii could still be found in Greenland Lake with a translocated plants still surviving the edge of the Entrance Bushes. The species requires damp open areas benefiting from trampling which helps keep the sward open. 

Petalwort Petalophyllum ralfsii 16th January - Alan Keatley

Lichens
A total of 65 species were noted, including five new for the Recording Area, including Alyxoria culmigena, Normandina acroglypta and Pyrenula chlorospila. Unfortunately, one not recorded was the scarce dog-lichen Peltigera neckeri, likely due to a combination of the extensive erosion of Warren Point, the dry weather and increased vegetation growth.

Parmotrema perlatum 12th January - Kevin Rylands

Fungi
A total of 193 species were recorded, mostly microfungi with few fruiting bodies in the autumn, fourteen of which were new for the Recording Area. These included Firerug Inkcap Coprinellus domesticus, Mycosphaerella isariophora, a leaf spot on Greater Stitchwort, Diaporthe crustosa, a leaf spot on Holly, Peronospora lamii, a mildew on dead-nettles and Cobweb Duster Athelia arachnoidea, a lichenicolous fungi.

 Firerug Inkcap Coprinellus domesticus 12th January - Kevin Rylands

Other records included Charcoal Goldeneye Anthracobia macrocystis, Collared Earthstar Geastrum triplex, Fairy Flax Rust Melampsora lini, Shaggy Scalycap Pholiota squarrosa, a couple of Stinkhorn Phallus impudicus smelt out on the Dune Ridge, the non-native Orange Ping-pong Bat Favolaschia calocera and Golden Hygrocybe chlorophana and Parrot Waxcap H. psittacina.

Stinkhorn Phallus impudicus 3rd November - Kevin Rylands

Algae
A total of 24 seaweeds were identified during the year, from an audit total 68 species.

Serrated Wrack Fucus serratus 16th January - Kevin Rylands