There's Bertha's Dandelion, recorded by Judy Webb in Oxfordshire during lockdown; and there are quite a few endemic hawkweeds, some of which have been described by Tim Rich in British & Irish Botany.
Or there's York Groundsel, a hybrid plant which evolved in this country, went extinct in the wild but was brought back from extinction thanks to a species recovery programme funded by Natural England.
How about False-toothed Lady's-mantle? It's known from only one location in the Yorkshire Dales, although BSBI Handbook No. 26 Lady's-mantles of Britain and Ireland by Mark Lynes, devotes eight pages to photographs, measurements and detailed descriptions of this species. If you're ever lucky enough to encounter this species, Mark's book will provide you with all the information you need for a firm identification.
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| York Groundsel Image: J. Harding-Morris |
But these are only a few of the endemic plants which feature in Endemic, the new book by James Harding-Morris. Naturalist James is BSBI's Vice-County Recorder for North Lincolnshire; he has previously worked for the RSPB and on the Back from the Brink project but these days we are delighted that he is BSBI Countries Manager, promoting botanical recording and supporting the community of botanists across Britain and Ireland.
One of James's favourite plant conservation stories involves a fellow BSBI Vice-County Recorder, Linda Robinson, who managed to 'save' Baker's Hawkweed from global extinction.
James is also a big fan of the Scottish Primrose, the Catacol Whitebeam and of course the 'world's unluckiest plant', Interrupted Brome, which has gone extinct not once but twice.
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| Scottish Primrose Image: J. Harding-Morris |
All these plants and more, plus a selection of endemic invertebrates, the Orkney Vole and the British Earthstar, are featured in Endemic, which is out now, published by Bloomsbury. The book retails at £20, but if you're a BSBI member, you can claim an exclusive 25% discount when you buy your copy. Just visit the members' area of the BSBI website for details.
Not yet joined the growing ranks of BSBI members?
Then you have two options: you could hang on until 1st October when our annual membership special offer re-opens. You'd get 15 months of membership for the price of 12 and then on top of that, you'd save another £5 on your copy of Endemic.
Or if you really can't wait, you could order your copy right now from the Bloomsbury website and start reading about Goldilocks Buttercup, the South Stack Fleawort and the Great Orme Berry. Great names for some of our great plants which grow here in Britain and nowhere else on Earth!
