Dr. Stephanie Tyler, joint Botanical Recorder for the vice county of Monmouthshire, has recently reminded me that this year is the last year of recording for the new flora atlas of the British Isles. Stephanie impressed on me that the Pontypool area needs more records so with this lodged in my mind I took an hours evening walk just down the road to Riverside on the outskirts of the town. This tranquil green space lies adjacent to the Afon Lwyd and is abutted by an ancient woodland, a football pitch and a popular riverside walk complete with mature parkland trees leading to and from the town centre.
Accessing the riverside it was evidence that there was a very population of ramsons (wild garlic) in flower. This species is a well known indicator or ancient woodland but was just at home next to the water. This part of the river used to be much more open and old photographs show a mill race and weir. Now the canopy is close and the weir hard to detect, nonetheless the river on its western side has been urbanised with pipework draining water from the town. In total I recorded about 30 plant species many, just like ramsons, indicators of ancient woodland, including bluebell and dogs mercury. A plant growing near to an adjacent small watercourse is thought to be large bittercress, an infrequent plant in these parts.
Making my way from the riverside I followed an access track towards a football pitch used by Trevethin Football Club. Here common comfrey was coming into flower and great horsetail was noted, another infrequent species in these parts. I didn't have time to explore the nearby woodland but another visit soon will ensure this area is covered adequately.
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