Rubus angloserpens Edees & Newton – English-snake Bramble

General Information:
Considered endemic to England the main populations occur in woodlands along the Severn valley and associated tributaries in Worcestershire and the adjoining borders of south-west Staffordshire. The national distribution is disjunct with outlier populations in Hampshire, Kent, Hertfordshire, Gloucestershire, Lancashire and Yorkshire. Plants are to be found in woodlands of some age with the species being referred to as an ‘old forest’ bramble (Newton & Randall 2004).


                       This map has been generated by Mapmate 09/11/2011

Distribution in South Lancashire:
Rubus angloserpens was first discovered in Lancashire by Dave and Joyce Earl in woodland by the River Darwen below Hoghton Tower, Salmesbury Bottoms SD62822633 on 20th July 1996 (specimens at Bolton Museum). Further research showed that this species is locally abundant in the old woodlands in the Darwen Valley, near Blackburn. The distribution in South Lancashire is now known to extend from woodlands at Cuerden Valley Country Park, Bamber Bridge (SD5623) to Wilpshire (SD6833). A voucher specimen from a small population at Mere Clough, Prestwich (SD8002, DP Earl, 2003) was confirmed by Alan Newton where another characteristic woodland species Rubus pallidus also occurs. On a recent visit to Coppull Hall Wood (SD5814,DP Earl & J Earl, 30th October 2011) plants which are thought to be this species were found.

Habitat:
Woodlands, especially those which are long established.

Taxon Designation:
Endemic; South Lancashire Axiophyte.

Comments:
Assumed to be endemic, this ‘old forest’ bramble has a very disjunct distribution in the British Isles. On a return visit to Mere Clough in 2011 no plants of Rubus angloserpens were found and the plants may have been outcompeted by the vigorous growth of Rubus pallidus at this location.

Images and location details:
The images were taken at Alum House Wood (SD636281) where this species grows in abundance along the old track through the woodland in association with another woodland bramble Rubus adenanthoides.

This species is a member of Series Glandulosi with the characteristic numerous stalked glands and prickles and acicles along the stem, the leaves consist of 3 to 5 leaflets which are ovate with an acuminate tips and cordate bases. The panicle rachis are flexuose i.e. serpent like, the narrow petals of the Lancashire plants are initially pink later fading to white and the orientation of the long pointed sepals can vary from reflexed to patent to clashing. Plants are low growing shrubs of the forest floor.

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