When I arrived in Sedbergh I was amazed at the diversity of flowers that could be found within the town and its immediate surroundings. However, not being a botanist, nor indeed having any expertise in flower identification, I found it particularly frustrating when I tried to look up a plant; either it did not seem to be in the book, or I ended up with half a dozen possible alternatives, none of which was quite right. "Wouldn't it be a good idea," I thought, "if somebody were to produce an inventory of all the flowers of Sedbergh: at the very least it would narrow the field."
Well, almost seven years have now passed and a list has not appeared, so it looks like that someone is going to be me.
In preparing this catalogue I am very conscious of the fact that two dangers arise. Firstly, by interesting more people there is an increased risk of damage to or loss of the flowers due to picking and trampling. In the light of this I have generally avoided giving precise locations. Secondly it is assumed that I am either an expert, or am setting myself up as an expert. Neither could be further from the truth. I am acutely aware that this is not a complete list of all the species - each new season new species will be found, and I am equally certain that there are many that I have missed.
The area catalogued extends from the old railway in the west to the Pinfold in the east, and from the summit of Winder down to the banks of the Rawthey, an area of about a square mile. I have included all the Dicotyledons and some Monocotyledons, but I am afrain I could not resist the temptation to leave out the sedges and grasses.
In addition to producing a species list I have also written a few notes on each flower. Sometimes these are to aid in the separation of similar looking species; but, generally I have tried to avoid descriptions, favouring instead snippets of information - useful or otherwise - in an attempt to make the flower or its name more interesting. At the back of the book I have also included a list of butterfly and moth larvae that feed on the flowers (Appendix I).
This booklet is not intended to be an identification book, but rather is to be used in conjunction with a Field Guide of some sort. Can I please urge you not to pick the flowers and respect that many are on private property? (Appendix II)
Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to everybody in Sedbergh Office Services for their enthusiam, patience and a seemingly endless supply of cups of coffee. In particular I wish to say a special thank you to young Sam: I fear that for the rest of his life he will never be able to see an index without wanting to tear out his hair.
Nicholas Brown
Sedbergh School Biology DepartmentAugust 1996