Mousetail
Mousetail (Myosurus minimus) was reported in the Flora of Whiteknights Park as ‘believed to be extinct’. It had been previously recorded ‘in disturbed soil and gravel outside PSL’ (the Harborne Building). The area where it had been known had been covered in mulch.
A large population of Mousetail has appeared on horticultural land behind the furthest greenhouses beside the Harborne Building. Some of the plants are still in flower but most are developing their mousetail-shaped fruiting spikes.
Parts of this area are due to be affected by future building works. The greenhouse staff have kindly offered to consider having some of the plants moved to a safer location so that they have a chance to set seed and to persist on campus.
Le Grice, D. & Jury, S. (2011) Flora of Whiteknights Park
Thanks for this update Fay. Mousetail seems to be doing well at present – it appeared at Wisley after a long absence last year. Is this a beneficiary of climate change perhaps?
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