Flora around Sheffield in 1843

Extract from Chapter 1 of "The Vital Statistics of Sheffield" by G.Calvert Holland, Esq., M.D. 1843.

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The neighbourhood of Sheffield is not particularly distinguished by the variety of its vegetable productions. Though the surface of the country presents considerable diversity in regard to aspect and elevation, the prevailing character of the soil is that of yellow loamy clays, with a variable admixture of sand. On the Moors, to the North and South-West of the town, the soil is formed of earthy and mineral constituents, commonly designated sandy-peat, of which extensive tracts exist, exceedingly bleak and barren, with comparatively little bog. Numerous local changes, accompanied by the rapid decrease of wood in the vicinity of the town, have materially lessened the attractions and treasures of well known and frequently explored districts. Any one deeply interested in the subject will perceive to what extent the botanical riches have disappeared, by examining the valuable and well preserved dried specimens of our late honoured townsman Mr. Salt [now held by Museums Sheffield], as well as his manuscript collectanea towards a Flora of the neighbourhood, both of which are now the property of the Philosophical Society of Sheffield. Many species are described by him that will in vain be sought in the places which, some years ago, were their common habitats. The botanist, however, will still find many plants that will well repay the labour of the search. To facilitate his inquiries, the subjoined particulars are given respecting the rarer plants, and the sites in which they are found.

On the wet and boggy parts of the Moors, about five miles from the town, the following species, among many others, are found :—

Andromeda polifolia.

Drosera rotundifolia.

Drosera longifolia.

Drosera Anglica.

Epilobium palustre.

Epilobium tetragonum.

Eleocharis palustris.

Eleocharis coespitosa.

Eriophorum vaginatum,

Eriophorum angustifolium.

Eriophorum polystachyon.

Juncus uliginosus.

Juncus uliginosus var. B. vivi parus.

Listera cordata.

Narthecium ossifragum.

Pinguicula vulgaris.

Rynchospora alba.

Vaccinium Vitis-Idœa

Vaccinium Oxyeoccos.

On the dryer and more elevated parts, the following may be met with :—

Aira preecox.

Arctostaphylos Uva ursi.

Cerastium semidecandrum.

Epilobium montanum.

Erica tetralix, and a variety having white flowers.

Empetram nigrum.

Juncus squarrosus.

Nardus stricta.

Rubus idæus.

Ulex nanus.

Ulex nanus var. B. major.

In the woods and fields nearer the town :•

Achillsea Ptarmica.

Alchimilla arvensis.

Alchimilla vulgaris.

Alchimilla vulgaris var. B. minor.

Alisma Plantago.

Allium ursinum.

Alopeourus agrestis.

Alsine rubra.

Alsine tenuifolia.

Anagallis arvensis.

Arenaria serpyllifolia.

Arundo Epigejos.

Atriplex laciniata.

Barbarea prsecox.

Barbarea stricta, new to Britain and recorded in the recently published fifth edition of Sir W. J. Hooker's British Flora, as growing along the railroads near Sheffield.

Bartsia odontites.

Brachypodium sylvaticum.

Bromus asper.

Bromus erectus.

Bromus squarrosus.

Cauitrichie verna.

Cardamine amara.

Carex ovalis.

Carex remota.

Carex pendula.

Carex sylvatica.

Carex precox.

Carex binervis.

Carex recurva.

Catabrosa aquatica.

Cerastium tetandrum.

Cerasus avium.

Cerasus padus.

Chenopodium glaucum.

Chrysoplenum altemifolium.

Cichorum Intybus.

Circsea Lutetiana.

Dianthus deltoides.

Elymus europwus.

Epipactis catifolia.

Euphorbia helioscopica.

Euphorbia exigua.

Festuca gigantea.

Fumaria capreolata.

Galium saxatile.

Geranium columbinum.

Gnaphalium dioicum.

Hordeum pratense.

Hypericum quadrangulum.

Hypericum pulchrum.

Lamium galeobdalon.

Lathraea squamaria.

Lepidium campestre.

Lithospermum arvense.

Lycopsis arvensis.

Lycopus europoeus.

Lysimachia nummularia.

Melampyrum pratense.

Melampyrum sylvaticum.

Melilotus officinalis

Millium effusum.

Moshringia trinervis.

Myosotis collina.

Myosotis versicolor.

Nasturtium terrestre.

Nepeta cataria.

Ornithopus perpusillus.

Orobus tuberosus.

Orobus tuberosus var. B tenuifolius

Papaver argemone

Papaver dubium.

Phalaris arundinacea.

Prunus institia.

Ribes alpinum.

Rosa arvensis.

Sanicula europaa.

Saponaria officinalis.

Sarothamnus scoparius.

Saxifraga granulate.

Scabiosa succisa, variety with white flowers.

Sclerochloa rigida.

Scrophularia nodosa.

Senecio viscosus.

Senecio eruc»folius.

Serratula tinctoria.

Sisymbrium Thalianuin.

Stellaria nemorum.

Stellaria uliginosa.

Teesdalia nudicaulis.

Trifolium medium.

Trifolium arvense.

Trisetum flavescens.

Valeriana dioiea.

Vicia angustifolia.

Vicia tetrasperma.

Vicia tetrasperma var. B.gracili s.

Viola palustris.

Viola odorata. This universal favourite, which is rare in this locality is seldom found with blue flowers; we have the white variety, which is not inferior in its agreeable scent.

Viola arvensis.

Of the exceedingly beautiful and interesting tribe of Ferns, and allied Genera, the neighbourhood affords great variety. The following are the different species, whether common or otherwise, growing wild, which the writer has met with.

Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum.

Asplenium Ruta-muraria.

Asplenium Trichomanes.

Atbyrium Filio Fcemina var. B. irrigium.

Botrychium Lunaria.

Ceterach Officinarum. This plant, a few years ago, grew in considerable plenty on Heely bridge ; by the ravages of thoughtless collectors it has however, been destroyed.

Cistopteris fragilis.

Lastraa Filix-mas.

Lastreea Oreopteris.

Lastrffia dilatata.

Lomaria spicant.

Ophyoglossum vulgatum.

Osmunda regalis.

Polypodium Dryopteris.

Polypodium Phegopteris.

Polypodium vulgare.

Polystichum aculeatum.

Polystichum lobatum.

Pteris Aquilina.

Pteris Aquilina, var. contraota (mihi.)

Scolopendrium vulgare. Scolopendrium vulgare, var. multifldum.

Equisetum arvense.

Equisetum limosum.

Eqiiisetum limosum, var. nudum.

Equisetum palustre.

Equisetum sylvaticum.

Lycopodium alpinura.

Lycopodium clavatum.

Lycopodium Selago.

In the lower Cryptogamic tribes, such as Mosses, Lichens etc., this locality is particularly rich,

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