Rubus accrescens Newton

                             This map has been generated by Mapmate 05/11/2011

Distribution in South Lancashire:
This species was first discovery on excursions to Gorton Reservoirs (SJ8996) in 1996 where plants were found on the embankment between the two reservoirs. Later that year a few plants were found at the north-west corner of Boggart Hole Clough, Blackley (SD8502) a site which is now a Local Nature Reserve. Additional plants have since been found at Boggart Hole Clough (SD8602). A further population was found on an embankment in a car park to the north-east of Victoria Station (SJ8499, DPE, 2001) where the rare variant of Japanese Knotweed Fallopia japonica var. compacta also occurs. These populations are relatively close to the more extensive populations of north-east Cheshire.

The discovery of the populations at Ruff Wood (SD4207) and Gaw Hill (SD3908), Ormskirk in 1999 came as a surprise as they are some distance from the main Cheshire/Staffordshire strongholds. A few plants also occur at Billinge Hill, near Wigan (SD5201).

General Information:
This species was described from near Lindow Common, Wilmslow by Alan Newton in 1971. A British endemic with the main populations occurring along the hill districts borderlands of Cheshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire. Plants are often a feature of Birch-Oak woodlands with a ground flora of Heather, Bilberry, Wavy Hair-grass and Purple Moor-grass. The species is less frequent in Lancashire vc59 and is very local near Greenfield, Greater Manchester just within vc63. A small population was discovered in Flintshire during 2007 and is the first record for Wales.

Images and location details:
These images were taken at Ruff Wood, a Biological Heritage Site near Ormskirk SD427075. Although Rubus accrescens is locally abundant in this woodland the population though some distance

I have included an image to demonstrate the upright growth of the primocanes which usually remain sub-erect, but do on occasions root at the tip. Note also the primocanes trailing along the ground which belong to another species called Rubus criniger.

Note the stems with are grooved and the declining prickles which are straight to slightly curved, the stems are often green but do become a pale brown in sunny situations. The terminate leaflets are cordate. The rachis is often densely hairy with slender declining pricklets that are usually straight. The sepals are green with numerous short hairs, and are patent to erect.