Botanical Expeditions
Plant Hunting & Research with the focus on Conservation
Botanical expeditions (often called "Plant hunting") are scientific voyages designed to explore the flora of a particular region, with an aim to identify ecological and botanical adaptations. New plant species are still being discovered and it is important to document and understand these new plants and how they are adapting to our ever changing environment.
Thalictrum minus subsp. guntriphookii syn. 'Wray Castle' syn. NGH0823
The world of horticulture is often filled with surprises, and nature has a way of revealing its hidden wonders when least expected. As the UK battles to save its dwindling wildlife and ecosystems, a remarkable discovery of a previously unknown plant species around Wray Bay, Lake Windermere, gives hope that the tides have turned and that the natural world is recovering. A plant was fortuitously stumbled upon during an impromptu botanical exploration conducted by Nicholas Guntrip-Hook on 24th August 2023, in the Lake District National Park. An intriguing, potentially new, plant species belonging to the genus Thalictrum, of which Nicholas is the National Collection holder. This remarkable discovery not only adds to the rich biodiversity of the region but also offers captivating insight into the area's natural resilience. As the investigation into confirmation of this species continues, read the introductory report below:
Update 5th February 2024: Following on-going discussions with the BSBI (Botanical Society for Britain and Ireland), see the update below:
Stace (2019.) , Sell & Murrell (2018), Plant Atlas 2020, A Flora of Cumbria (1997) indicate the species around Lake Windermere to be T.minus or T.umberosum.
The 7 lobes are the defining features of T.minus subsp. guntriphookii. A further report will be done to see if this characteristic continues into further growing seasons, as well as identifies other notable characteristics
It will be interesting to see how the plants dug up develop: it may be that the more vigorous a plant, the broader the leaflets and the greater the number of lobes. You may also have the opportunity to see if there is any other character which you think separates your plant from other specimens of T. minus.
Summary: T.guntriphookii will likley be a wild variant of T.minus or T.umberosum. Whilst 7 lobes have been noted on some species before, this is still a novel identification of T.minus and will be investigated further into a more accurate identification
T.minus
M. Jaume Saint-Hilaire (1772-1845) - La flore et la pomone françaises vol. 4
A new subsp.?
Thalictrum minus subsp. guntriphookii 7 lobed junvinile foliage
