The Chilterns
In 2000 we visited several sites in the Chilterns in Bedfordshire.
The majority of the thyme we found was Thymus pulegioides.
Thyme is part of the ecosystem colonising the tops of ant hills,
together with fine grasses and Helianthemum, rock rose,
taking advantage of the fine soil, rather than the predominantly chalky soil surrounding them.
They vary in size and some are at least 45 cm in diameter.
These ant hills are Little Miss Muffet's tuffet.
To see an enlarged version of a picture click on the relevant picture.
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An ant hill on the west facing side of a
Roman quarry at Sharpenhoe Clappers,
near Barton-le-Clay, Bedfordshire.
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Thymus polytrichus subsp. britannicus
growing with fine grass and Helianthemum,
rock rose, on top of the ant hill.
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Thymus pulegioides growing in rough
grass at Little Hills, Totternhoe Knolls,
near Dunstable, Bedfordshire.
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Thymus polytrichus subsp. britannicus growing on a south west facing slope in
soil overlying chalk at Barton Hills near Barton-le-Clay, Bedfordshire.
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Chalk quarry at Sundon Hills in the Chilterns
north of Luton, Bedfordshire.
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Thymus pulegioides growing with grass on the
south facing slope of Sundon Hills Quarry.
There is no soil overlying the chalk.
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Thymus pulegioides growing on the south
facing slope of Sundon Hills Quarry,
higher up than the site opposite.
There is no associated grass.
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Photographs © 2000, Mrs. Margaret Easter, no copying or reproduction permitted.
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