There is no documented list of what historically grew on the common until the 1940's. However, during the war years Mrs Dora Wheeler, of 4, Rowplatt Lane, contributed to the war effort by collecting herbs and wild plants that could be used as drug substitutes. Britain, prior to the war, used to import many of their drugs from Germany. With this source at a halt the government looked to alternatives and fell back on the use of herbal medicines. Mrs Wheeler and the Felbridge Herb Gatherers, often with the help of the children from Felbridge School, would collect these plants, dry them and send them to Brome and Schimmer in London, who were botanical drug importers and spice merchants. From their receipts we have an idea of the flora that grew on the common. The money received from the sale of the herbs was donated to the Red Cross. The children at Felbridge School were obviously encouraged to identify the wild plants and a school project in 1946 was to collect, press and identify plants from the wastes and hedgerows of the Felbridge area. Jean Roberts completed this project, collecting most of her specimens from the area around Little Hedgecourt at the Northern edge of Hedgecourt Common.
Flora of the 1940's (*= Still Present in 2001)
The common in general (collected by D. Wheeler in 1940's)
Achillea millefolium Yarrow or Milfoil *
Agrimonia eupatoria Agrimony
Anagallis arvensis subsp. arvensis Scarlet Pimpernel or Shepherd's Barometer *
Arctium lappa Great Burdock *
Ballota nigra Black Horehound
Centaurium erythraea Common Centaury *
Convallaria majalis Lily-of-the-valley
Digitalis purpurea Foxglove *
Filipendula ulmaria Meadow Sweet *
Galium aparine Cleavers, Goosegrass or Sweet-hearts *
Glechoma hederacea Ground Ivy *
Hypericum perforatum Common St John's Wort *
Melittis melissophyllum Bastard Balm
Mentha Mint
Plantago lanceolate Ribwort Plantain *
Ranunculus ficaria Lesser Celandine or Pilewort *
Ribes nigrum Black currant
Rubus saxatilis Raspberry
Sambucus nigra Elder *
Scrophularia nodosa Common Figwort
Stachys officinalis Wood Betony *
Tanacetum parthenium Feverfew *
Tanacetum vulgare Tansy
Taraxacum Dandelion *
Teucrium scorodonia Wood Sage *
Thymus praecox Wild Thyme
Tussilago farfara Colts-foot *
Urtica dioica Common Nettle or Stinging Nettle *
Verbascum thapsus Great Mullein or Aaron's Rod
Vinca minor Lesser Periwinkle
Flora of the 1940's
Northern edge of the common (Little Hedgecourt area by J. Roberts)
Ajuga reptans Bugle *
Alliaria petiolata Jack-by-the-hedge or Garlic Mustard *
Anagallis arvensis subsp. arvensis Scarlet Pimpernel or Shepherd's Barometer *
Anemone nemorosa Wood Anemone *
Calluna vulgaris Heather or Ling *
Caltha palustris Marsh-marigold Kingcup
Cardamine pratensis Milkmaid, Lady's-smock or Cuckooflower *
Crepis vesicaria subsp. haenseleri Beaked Hawk's-beard *
Cytisus scoparius Broom *
Digitalis purpurea Foxglove or Red Thimbles *
Fumaria officinalis Common Fumitory, Earth Smoke or Wax Dolls
Helianthemum nummularium Common Rock-rose
Hyacinthoides non-scripta Bluebell or Wild Hyacinth *
Lathyrus montanus Bitter-vetch
Linum catharticum Purging Flax or Fairy Flax
Lonicera periclymenum Honeysuckle *
Lotus corniculatus Common Bird's foot trefoil *
Lychnis flos-cuculi Ragged Robin *
Melampyrum pratense Common Cow-wheat
Potentilla erecta Tormentil
Potentilla sterilis Barren Strawberry *
Rannunculus acris Meadow Buttercup *
Silene vulgaris Bladder Campion
Sinapis arvensis Charlock or Wild Mustard *
Stachys sylvatica Hedge Woundwort *
Teesdalia nudicaulis Shepherd's Purse or Shepherd's Cress *
Tragopogon pratensis Goat's-beard or Jack-go-to-bed-at-noon *
Trifolium campestre Hop Trefoil *
Trifolium hybridum Alsike Clover, pink *
Veronica persica Common Field-speedwell or Buxbaum's speedwell *
Vicia sativa subsp. sativa Common Vetch *
Viola riviniana Common Dog Violet *
Known to have been growing on the common in the 1940's by M. Jones.
(*= Still Present in 2001)
Achillea millefolium Yarrow or Milfoil *
Allium ursinum Wild Garlic or Ramsons *
Anacamptis pyramidalis Pyramid Orchid *
Anagallis arvensis Scarlet Pimpernell *
Anthemis cotula Stinking Mayweed *
Anthriscus sylvestris Cow Parsley or Queen Ann's Lace *
Arum maculatum Lords-and-Ladies or Cuckoo-pint *
Bellis perennis Daisy *
Briza media Tottle Grass or Quaking Grass *
Calystegia sepium subsp. sepium Hedge Bindweed *
Capsella bursa-pastoris Shepherd's Purse *
Cardamine pratensis Milkmaids, Lady's Smock or Cuckoo-flower *
Chamerion angustifolium Rosebay Willowherb *
Conopodium majus Pignut *
Dactylorhiza fuchsii subsp. fuchsii Common Spotted-orchid *
Dactylorhiza maculata Heath Spotted-orchid
Fragaria vesca Wild Strawberries *
Geranium robertianum Herb Robert *
Glenhoma hederacea Ground Ivy *
Hedera helix Ivy *
Heracleum sphondylium Hogweed *
Hypericum perforatum Common St John's-wort *
Lamium album Red Dead-nettle *
Lathyrus nissolia Grass Pea *
Leucanthemum vulgare Oxeye Daisy, Moon Daisy, Marguerite or Dog Daisy *
Lonicera periclymenum Honeysuckle *
Narcissus pseudonarcissus subsp. psuedonarcissus Wild Daffodil or Lent Lily *
Ophrys apifera Bee Orchid
Plantago lanceolata Ribwort Plantain or Lamb's Tongues *
Plantagon major Greater Plantain *
Polygala vulgaris Milkwort *
Potentilla anserina Silverweed
Potentilla reptans Creeping Cinquefoil
Primula veris Cowslip *
Primula vulgaris Primrose *
Prunella vulgaris Selfheal *
Ranunculus ficaria Lesser Celandine or Pilewort *
Ranunculus repens Buttercup Creeping *
Ranunuculus acris Buttercup Meadow *
Rhinanthus minor Yellow Rattle
Rosa arvensis Field Rose *
Rosa canina Dog Rose *
Rubus fruiticosus Bramble or Blackberry *
Rumex acetosa Sorrel *
Rumex obtusifolius Broad-leaved Dock *
Senecio jacobaea Ragwort *
Silybum marianum Milk Thistle *
Solanum dulcamara Woody Nightshade or Bittersweet *
Stachys sylvatica Hedge Woundwort *
Stellaria media Chickweed *
Stellaria holostea Greater Stitchwort *
Succisa pratensis Devil's-bit Scabious
Symphytum officinale Common Comfrey *
Tamus communis Black Bryony *
Taraxacum Dandelion *
Trifolium repens White Clover *
Ulex europaeus Gorse or Furze *
Veronica officinalis Common or Heath Speedwell *
Viburnum opulus Gelder-rose *
Vicia cracca Tufted Vetch *
Vicia sepium Bush Vetch *
Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore *
Betula pendula Sliver Birch *
Castanea sativa Sweet Chestnut or Spanish Chestnut *
Corylus avellana Hazel *
Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn white (Bread and cheese) *
Fagus sylvatica Beech *
Fraxinus excelsior Ash *
Ilex aquifolium Holly *
Malus sylvestris Crab Apple *
Prunus avium Wild Cherry *
Prunus institia Bullace
Prunus spinosa Blackthorn or Sloe *
Sorbus aucuparia Rowan or Mountain Ash *
Quercus robur Oak *
Robinia pseudacacia False Acacia *
Sambucus nigra Elder *
Flora not previously documented, but found on Hedgecourt Common in 2001.
Brassica napus Oilseed Rape
Cardamine hirsuta Hairy Bittercress
Centaurea nigra subsp. nigra Common Knapweed or Hardheads
Circaea lutetiana Enchanters Nightshade
Cirsium arvense Creeping Thistle
Cirsium vulgare Spear Thistle
Epilobium hirsutum Great Willowherb
Euphorbia helioscopia Sun Spurge
Euphorbia lathyrus Caper Spurge
Geum urbanum Wood Avens
Hypochaeris glabra Smooth Cat's-ear
Lapsana communis Nipplewort
Lathyrus pratensis Meadow Vetchling
Lysimachia nummularia Creeping Jenny
Molva syvestris Common Mallow
Polygonum persicaria Redshank
Prunus laurocerasus Laurel
Rubus caesius Dewberry
Senecio vulgaris Groundsel
Solanum triflorum (No common name)
Veronica chamaedrys Germander Speedwell
Veronica filiformis Slender Speedwell
Vitis vinifera Grape vine
Felcot Farm Survey 1997-2001
Achillea ptarmica Sneezewort
Agrostis capillaris Common Bent
Agrostis stolonifera Creeping Bent
Alliaria petiolata Garlic Mustard
Alopecurus pratensis Meadow Foxtail
Anthoxanthum odoratum Sweet Vernal Grass
Arrhenatherum elatius False Oat-grass
Betula pendula Silver Birch
Betula pubescens Downy Birch
Capsella bursa-pastoris Shepherd's Purse
Cardamine pratensis Milkmaids, Lady's Smock or Cuckoo-flower
Centaurea nigra Common Knapweed
Chamerion angustifolium Rosebay Willowherb
Circaea lutetiana Enchanter's Nightshade
Cirsium palsutre Marsh Thistle
Corylus avellana Hazel
Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn
Dactylorhiza fuchsii subsp. fuchsii Common Spotted Orchid
Dactylorhiza maculata Heath Spotted Orchid
Digitalis purpurea Foxglove
Epilobium palsutre Marsh Willowherb
Festuca ovina Sheep's Fescue
Fraxinus excelsior Ash
Galeopsis tetrahit Common Hemp-nettle
Galium aparine Cleavers, Goosegrass, Sweethearts
Glyceria fluitans Floating Sweet-grass
Gnaphileum uliginosum Marsh Cudweed
Hedera helix Ivy
Heracleum sphondylium Hogweed
Holcus lanatus Yorkshire Fog
Holcus mollis Creeping Soft-grass
Hypericum perforatum Perforate St John's Wort
Ilex aquifolium Holly
Iris pseudacorus Yellow Iris
Juncus acutiflorus Sharp-flowered Rush
Juncus effusus Soft Rush
Lemna minor Common Duckweed
Lonicera periclymenum Honeysuckle
Lotus corniculatus Common Bird's-foot-trefoil
Lycopus eurppaeus Gipsywort
Melampyrum pratense Common Cow-wheat
Mentha aquatica Water Mint
Molinia caerulea Purple Moor-grass
Persicaria hydropiper Water-pepper
Pinus sylvestris Scots Pine
Plantago lanceolata Ribwort Plantain
Polygonum aviculare Knot-grass
Potentilla eracta Tormentil
Prunus avium Wild Cherry
Prunus spinosa Blackthorn
Quercus robur Pedunculate Oak
Ranunculus flammula Lesser Spearwort
Ranunculus repens Creeping Buttercup
Rosa arvensis Field Rose
Rosa canina Dog Rose
Rubus fruitcosus agg. Bramble
Rumex acetosa Common Sorrel
Rumex crispus Curled Dock
Rumex obtusifolius Broad-leaved Dock
Rumex sanguineus Wood Dock
Salix babylonica Weeping Willow
Salix caprea Sallow Willow
Senecio jacobaea Common Ragwort
Sorbus aucuparia Rowan
Stachys palustris Marsh Woundwort
Stellaria graminea Lesser Stitchwort
Stellaria holostea Greater Stitchwort
Succisa pratensis Devil's-bit Scabious
Taraxacum officinale agg. Dandelion
Teucrium scorodonia Wood Sage
Trifolium pratense Red Clover
Trifolium repens White Clover
Ulex europaeus Gorse
Urtica dioica Common Nettle
Viola riviniana Common Dog-violet
SSSI Report of Pond Tail Reserve 2000
Acer campestre Field Maple
Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore
Achillea ptarmica Sneezewort
Aesculus hippocastanum Horse-chestnut
Agrostis capillaris Common Bent
Ajuga reptans Bugle
Alisma plantago-aquatica Water Plantain
Alliaria petiolata Garlic Mustard
Alnus glutinosa Alder
Alopecurus geniculatus Marsh Foxtail
Alopecurus pratensis Meadow Foxtail
Amelanchier lamarckii Juneberry
Anemone nemorosa Wood Anemone
Angelica sylvestris Wild Angelica
Anthoxanthum odoratum Sweet Vernal Grass
Anthriscus sylvetris Cow Parsley
Arrhenatherum elatius False Oat-grass
Athyrium filix-femina Lady Fern
Berula erecta Lesser Water-parsnip
Betula pendula Silver Birch
Betula pubescens Downy Birch
Bidens cernua Nodding Bur-marigold
Blechnum spicant Hard Fern
Brachypodium sylvaticum False-brome
Bromopsis ramosa Hairy Brome
Bromus hordeaceus Soft-brome
Callitriche obtusangula Blue-fruited Water-starwort
Callitriche stagnalis Common Water-starwort
Calluna vulgaris Heather
Caltha palustris Marsh Marigold
Calystegia sepium Hedge Bindweed
Cardamine flexuosa Wavy Bitter-cress
Cardamine pratensis Milkmaids, Lady's Smock or Cuckoo-flower
Carex laevigata Smooth-stalked Sedge
Carex nigra Common Sedge
Carex pallescens Pale Sedge
Carex panicea Carnation Sedge
Carex paniculata Greater Tussock-sedge
Carex pendula Pendulus Sedge
Carex pseudocyperus Cyperus Sedge
Carex remota Remote Sedge
Carex vesicaria Bladder-sedge
Castanea sativa Sweet Chestnut
Centaurea nigra Common Knapweed
Cerastium fontanum Common Mouse-ear
Chamerion angustifolium Rosebay Willowherb
Chrysosplenium oppositifolium Opposite-leaved Golden-rage
Circaea lutetiana Enchanter's Nightshade
Cirsium arvense Creeping Thistle
Cirsium dissectum Meadow Thistle
Cirsium dissectum x palustre Hybrid Thistle
Cirsium palustre Marsh Thistle
Conopodium majus Pignut
Convolvulus Field Bindweed
Corylus avellana Hazel
Cotoneaster bullatus Hollyberry Cotoneaster
Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn
Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora Montbretia
Cytisus scoparius Broom
Dactylis glomerata Cock's-foot
Dactylorhiza fuchsii Common Spotted-orchid
Deschampsia caespitosa Tufted Hair-grass
Deschampsia flexuosa Wavy Hair-grass
Digitalis purpurea Foxglove
Dryopteris affinis subsp. borreri Scaly Male-fern
Dryopteris carthusiana Narrow Buckler-fern
Dryopteris dilatata Broad Buckler-fern
Dryopteris filix-mas Male Fern
Elodea nuttallii Nuttall's Water-weed
Epilobium hirsutum Great Willowherb
Epilobium montanum Broad-leaved Willowherb
Epilobium palustre Marsh Willowherb
Epipactis helleborine Broad-leaved Helleborine
Fagus sylvatica Beech
Festuca gigantea Giant Fescue
Filipendula ulmaria Meadowsweet
Frangula alnus Alder Buckthorn
Fraxinus excelsior Ash
Fumaria capreolata White Ramping-fumitory
Galeopsis tetrahit Common Hemp-nettle
Galium aparine Cleavers
Galium palustre Common Marsh-bedstraw
Galium uliginosum Fen Bedstraw
Geranium robertianum Herb-robert
Geum urbanum Herb Bennet
Glechoma hederacea Ground-ivy
Glyceria fluitans Floating Sweet-grass
Heracleum sphondylium Hogweed
Hieracium sabaudum Hawkweed
Holcus lanatus Yorkshire-fog
Holcus mollis Creeping Soft-grass
Hyacinthoides non-scripta Bluebell
Hydrocotyle vulgaris Marsh Pennywort
Hypericum maculatum Imperforate St John's-wort
Hypericum perforatum Perforate St John's-wort
Hypericum pulchrum Slender St John's-wort
Hypericum tetrapterum Square-stalked St John's-wort
Ilex aquifolium Holly
Impatiens capensis Orange Balsam
Impatiens glandulifera Indian Balsam
Impatiens noil-tangere Touch-me-not Balsam
Iris foetidissima Stinking Iris
Iris pseudacorus Yellow Iris
Juncus acutiflorus Sharp-flowered Rush
Juncus bufonius Toad Rush
Juncus effusus Soft Rush
Lamiastrum galeobdolon Yellow Archangel
Larix decidua Larch
Lathyrus lilfolius Bitter-vetch
Lemna minor Common Duckweed
Listera ovata Common Twayblade
Lonicera periclymenum Honeysuckle
Lotus pedunculatus Large Bird's-foot-trefoil
Luzula campestris Field Wood-rush
Luzula multiflora Heath Wood-rush
Luzula pilosa Hairy Wood-rush
Lychnis flos-cuculi Ragged Robin
Lycopus eurpaeus Gipsywort
Lysimachia nemorum Yellow Pimpernel
Lysimachia vulgaris Yellow Loosestrife
Lythrum salicaria Purple-loosestrife
Malva syvestris Common Mallow
Melampyrum pratense Common Cow-wheat
Melica uniflora Wood Melick
Mentha aquatica Water Mint
Mentha arvensis Corn Mint
Menyanthes trifoliata Bogbean
Mimulus guttatus Monkeyflower
Moehringia trinervia Three-nerved Sandwort
Molinis caerulea Purple Moor-grass
Muosotis secunda Creeping Forget-me-not
Myosotis scorpioides Water Forget-me-not
Myosoton aquaticum Water Chickweed
Nymphaea alba White Water-lily
Oenanthe crocata Hemlock Water-dropwort
Oxalis acetosella Wood-sorrel
Persicaria amphibia Amphibious Bistort
Persicaria hydropiper Water-pepper
Persicaria maculosa Redshank
Phalaris arundinacea Reed Canary-grass
Phragmites australis Common Reed
Pinus sylvestris Scots Pine
Poa annua Annual Meadow-grass
Poa nemoralis Wood Meadow-grass
Poa trivialis Rough Meadow-grass
Polygala serpyllifolia Heath Milkwort
Polystichum setiferum Soft Shield-fern
Potamogeton natans Broad-leaved Pondweed
Potentilla anserina Silverweed
Potentilla erecta Tormentil
Prunella vulgaris Selfheal
Prunus avium Wild Cherry
Prunus pissardii Pissard's Plum
Prunus spinosa Blackthorn
Pteridium aquilinum Bracken
Quercus robur Pedunculate Oak
Ranunculus acris Meadow Buttercup
Ranunculus ficaria Lesser Celandine
Ranunculusflammula Lesser Spearwort
Ranunculus repens Creeping Buttercup
Rhododendron ponticum Rhododendron
Ribes nigrum Black Currant
Ribes Rubum Red Currant
Rosa arvensis Field Rose
Rosa tomentosa Harsh Downy-rose
Rubus fruiticosus agg. Bramble
Rubus idaeus Raspberry
Rumex hydrolapathum Water Dock
Rumex obtusifolius Broad-leaved Dock
Rumex sanguineus Wood Dock
Salix alba White Willow
Salix caprea Goat Willow
Salix cinerea Grey Willow
Salix fragilis Crack Willow
Sambucus nigra Elder
Sanicula earopaea Sanicle
Schoenoplectus lacustris Common Club-rush
Scirpus sylvaticus Wood Club-rush
Scrophularia auriculata Water Figwort
Scutellaria galericulata Skullcap
Scutellaria minor Lesser Skullcap
Silene dioica Red Campion
Silene latifolia sbsp. alba White Campion
Solanum dulcamara Bittersweet
Solidago virgaurea Goldenrod
Sorbus aucuparia Rowan
Sorbus torminalis Wild Service-tree
Sparganium erectum Branched Bur-reed
Spirodela polyrhiza Greater Duckweed
Stachys palustris Marsh Woundwort
Stachys sylvatica Hedge Woundwort
Stellaria graminea Lesser Stitchwort
Stellaria holostea Greater Stitchwort
Stellaria uliginosa Bog Stitchwort
Taxus baccata Yew
Teucrium scorodonia Wood Sage
Trifolium repens White Clover
Tussilago farfara Colt's-foot
Typha latifolia Bulrush
Ulex europaeus Gorse
Urtica dioica Common Nettle
Valeriana officinalis Common Valerian
Veronica beccabunga Brooklime
Veronica chamaedrys Germander Speedwell
Veronica hederifolia Ivy-leaved Speedwell
Veronica montana Wood Speedwell
Veronica officinalis Heath Speedwell
Veronica scutellata Marsh Speedwell
Viburnum opulus Gelder-rose
Vicia sepium Bush Vetch
Viola riviniana Common Dog-violet
The Surrey Wildlife Trust carried out the study of flora at Felcot Farm and Pond Tail Nature Reserve between 1997 and 2000. A few species were added to the Felcot Farm survey after a survey in 2001.
Bibliography
Documented memoirs of Mrs D Wheeler, 1965
Documented memoirs of Mrs M Jones, 2001
Herb Gathers, 1944, newspaper article from archive
Herbs for healing, 1944, newspaper article from archive
They're helping to save lives, 1944, local newspaper article from archive
Brome and Schimmer receipts, 1943-45, from archive
Wild Flower project by Mrs J Roberts, 1946
SSSI Report on Pond Tail
SSSI Report on Felcot Wood and Meadow
The Wild Flowers of the British Isles by D Streeter
Photographic Guide to the Wild Flowers of Britain and Northern Europe by B Gibbons and P Brough
SJC 07/01