Fagus to Gymnocarpium

*Fagus sylvatica L.   Beech

Raasay:           Recording Units: 8

                        Ten kilometre squares: NG 53

                        First Record: Woodward 1894.

Rona:               Ten kilometre squares: NG 65

                        First Record: EPS 1933.

Planted in the southwest of Raasay where there is some regeneration and in the Big Harbour wood on Rona. Woodward, 1894 mentions “woodland with even beech” on Raasay.

Fallopia convolvulus (L.) Á. Löve   Black-bindweed

Raasay:           Recording Units: 2

                        Ten kilometre squares: NG 53

                        First Record: JWHH et al. 1934-36.

Rona:               Ten kilometre squares: (NG 65)

                        First Record: JWHH et al. 1934-36.

“Very rare indeed on Rona, and Raasay. “(Harrison, 1937a). West Suisnish 1991 SJB. Near the cemetery from soil brought in from Alness, Cromarty for road-works 2006.

*Fallopia japonica (Houtt.) Ronse Decr.   Japanese Knotweed

Raasay:           Recording Units: 5

                        Ten kilometre squares: NG 53

                        First Record: JWHH et al. 1934-36.

Rona:               Not known.

Escape near Inverarish (Harrison 1937a). ”Established in a ruined cottage at the extreme north end of the island [Raasay]” (Harrison, 1937c). Still present in the Inverarish and Clachan area despite some attempts at eradication, but no longer in the north. Also present at Eyre. Not as invasive on Raasay as in some areas.

Festuca filiformis Pourr.   Fine-leaved Sheep's-fescue

Raasay:           Recording Units: 2

                        Ten kilometre squares: NG 53, 54, (55)

                        First Record: JWHH et al. 1934-36.

Rona:               Not known.

“Sparingly on Raasay; in addition to the type, a glaucous leaved form grows on [Raasay] as well as on Fladday” (Harrison 1937a). MMcCW recorded F. ovina agg. from NG 53 in 1957.  Since she recorded F. vivipara separately at the same time, this record could refer to this species. Drier areas of moorland near Dun Caan and Meall Daimh SJB 1994.

Festuca gigantea see Schedonorus giganteus

Festuca rubra agg. L.    Red Fescue

Raasay:           Recording Units: 83

                        Ten kilometre squares: All

                        First Record: JWHH et al. 1934-36.

Rona:               Ten kilometre squares: NG 65, 66

                        First Record: JWHH et al. 1934-36.

Widespread in various habitats. Coastal plants are mostly glaucous and probably assignable to subsp. juncea. Probably in all recording units.

Herb. BM: MMcCW 1957 Promontory by sea opposite Raasay House.

Festuca vivipara (L.) Sm.  Viviparous Sheep's-fescue

Raasay:           Recording Units: 96

                        Ten kilometre squares: All

                        First Record: JWHH et al. 1934-36.

Rona:               Ten kilometre squares: NG 65, 66

                        First Record: EPS 1933.

Very common on moorland.

Ficaria verna Huds.   Lesser Celandine

Raasay:           Recording Units: 90

                        Ten kilometre squares: All

                        First Record:  JWHH et al. 1934-36.

Rona:               Ten kilometre squares: NG 65, 66

                         First Record: SJB 1996.

Common and widespread in woodland, grassland and under bracken.  All specimens examined critically are subsp. fertilis.

Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim.  Meadowsweet

Raasay:           Recording Units: 93

                        Ten kilometre squares: All

                        First Record: JWHH et al. 1934-36.

Rona:               Ten kilometre squares: NG 65, 66

                        First Record: EPS 1933.

Common in marshes, along burns and in damp grassland.

Fragaria vesca L.   Wild Strawberry

Raasay:           Recording Units: 50

                        Ten kilometre squares: All

                        First Record: JWHH et al. 1934-36.

Rona:               Ten kilometre squares: NG 65

                        First Record: EPS 1933.

Drier grassland and rocks. Local but widespread.

Herb. HAMU: AWB (probably) 1934 Raasay.

*Fraxinus excelsior L.   Ash

Raasay:           Recording Units: 9

                        Ten kilometre squares: NG 53, 54

                        First Record: Boswell 1773.

Rona:               Ten kilometre squares: NG 65

                        First Record: EPS 1933.

Southeast Raasay, Balachurin and Brochel. Wood near Big Harbour, Rona. Despite JWHH’s view (e.g. Harrison 1937a: "Local but native, on Raasay"), probably always planted, but occasionally naturalised in the Inverarish and Clachan area.

*Fuchsia magellanica Lam.  Fuchsia

Raasay:           Recording Units: 14

                        Ten kilometre squares: NG 53, 54, 55

                        First Record: JWHH et al. 1934-36.

Rona:               Not known.

Widely planted for hedging in the southeast of Raasay. Occasionally naturalised.

Herb. LANC: KBB 1935 Raasay.

*Fumaria muralis Sond. ex W.D.J. Koch    Common Ramping-fumitory

Raasay:           Recording Units: 1

                        Ten kilometre squares: NG 53

                        First Record: SJB 2006.

Rona:               Not known.

Two plants emerged from soil near the cemetery brought in from Alness in Easter Ross for road repair purposes in 2006. Det. HMcH

*Fumaria officinalis L.  Common Fumitory 

Raasay:           Recording Units: 2

                        Ten kilometre squares: NG 53

                        First Record: SJB 2006.

Rona:               Not known.

Fourteen plants emerged near the cemetery plus several plants at the point south of West Suisnish from soil brought in from Alness in Easter Ross for road repair purposes in 2006. Det. HMcH

*Galanthus nivalis L.  Snowdrop

Raasay:           Recording Units: 1

                        Ten kilometre squares: NG 53

                        First Record: SJB 2007.

Rona:               Not known.

Naturalised in Raasay House grounds.

Galeopsis bifida Boenn.  Bifid Hemp-nettle

Raasay:           Recording Units: 7

                        Ten kilometre squares: NG 53, 54

                        First Record: SJB 1989.

Rona:               Not known.

Cultivated ground and once-cultivated ground that is disturbed. Southwest Raasay, Balachuirn and Arnish.

Galeopsis speciosa Mill.   Large-flowered Hemp-nettle

Raasay:           Recording Units: 0

                        Ten kilometre squares: (NG 53)

                        First Record: JWHH et al. 1934-36.

Rona:               Not known.

In a field near North Fearns (Harrison 1937a). Not recorded since.

Galeopsis tetrahit L.  Common Hemp-nettle

Raasay:           Recording Units: 10

                        Ten kilometre squares: NG 53, 54

                        First Record: JWHH et al. 1934-36.

Rona:               Ten kilometre squares: (NG 65)

                        First Record: JWHH et al. 1934-36.

In the same habitat as G. bifida. Southern Raasay, Balachuirn and Glam. Harrison (1937a) has it on all the islands, but not recorded from Rona since.

Galium aparine L.  Cleavers or Sticky Willie

Raasay:           Recording Units: 52

                        Ten kilometre squares: All

                        First Record: JWHH et al. 1934-36.

Rona:               Ten kilometre squares: NG 65, 66

                        First Record: EPS 1933.

Commonest in shingle but also as a weed.

[Galium boreale L.  Northern Bedstraw] 

Raasay:           Recording Units: 0

                        Ten kilometre squares: (NG 54)

                        First Record: CC 1978.

Rona:               Not known.

Brae CC 1978. Error? Widespread on Skye.

Galium odoratum (L.) Scop.   Woodruff

Raasay:           Recording Units: 26

                        Ten kilometre squares: NG 53, 54, 64

                        First Record:  JWHH et al. 1934-36.

Rona:               Not known.

Woods and sheltered areas on neutral and basic soils. Commonest on Raasay’s eastern cliffs.

Galium palustre L.   Marsh-bedstraw

Raasay:           Recording Units: 79

                        Ten kilometre squares: All

                        First Record: JWHH et al. 1934-36.

Rona:               Ten kilometre squares: NG 65, 66

                        First Record: JWHH et al. 1934-36.

Marshes, ditches and wet places generally. All specimens examined critically are subsp. palustre.

[Galium pumilum Murray   Slender Bedstraw]

Raasay:           Recording Units: 0

                        Ten kilometre squares: (NG 54)

                        First Record:  JWHH et al. 1934-36.

Rona:               Not known.

"On limestone exposures at Screapadal" (Harrison 1937a). Perhaps G. sterneri, these two having been confused in the past. G. sterneri is known in this sort of habitat in northwest Scotland whereas G. pumilum is restricted to southern Britain. G. sterneri is not recorded from Raasay or Skye but could have been overlooked.

Galium saxatile L.   Heath Bedstraw

Raasay:           Recording Units: 98

                        Ten kilometre squares: All

                        First Record: JWHH et al. 1934-36.

Rona:               Ten kilometre squares: NG 65, 66

                        First Record: EPS 1933.

Very common on grassy banks, moorland and rocks.

[Galium uliginosum L.   Fen Bedstraw]

Raasay:           Recording Units: 0

                        Ten kilometre squares: (NG 53)

                        First Record:  JWHH et al. 1934-36.

Rona:               Not known.

Marshy land near Inverarish (Harrison & Morton, 1951). Not known in northwest Scotland.

*Garrya elliptica Douglas ex Lindl.  Silk-tassel

Raasay:           Recording Units: 1

                        Ten kilometre squares: NG 53

                        First Record:  SJB 1995.

Rona:               Not known.

Planted in Raasay House grounds.

*Gaultheria mucronata (L. f.) Hook. & Arn.   Prickly Heath

Raasay:           Recording Units: 2

                        Ten kilometre squares: NG 53

                        First Record:  SJB 1991.

Rona:               Not known.

Escaped around West Suisnish, Inverarish and Clachan. Particularly fine on the point south of West Suisnish until this was blown up in 2006. Plentiful behind Suisnish House.

*Gaultheria shallon  Pursh   Shallon 

Raasay:           Recording Units: 0

                        Ten kilometre squares: (NG 53)

                        First Record:  CWM 1969.

Rona:               Not known.

The 1969 record from Inverarish to Oskaig has not been re-found. Well established around Kyleakin on Skye.

Gentianella campestris (L.) Brner   Field Gentian       Vulnerable

Raasay:           Recording Units: 10

                        Ten kilometre squares: NG 53, 54

                        First Record:  JWHH et al. 1934-36.

Rona:               Not known.

Local in neutral and basic grassland. Inverarish, Oskaig, Balachuirn and along the east coast.

Herb. LANC: KBB 1935 Raasay.

Geranium dissectum L.   Cut-leaved Crane's-bill

Raasay:           Recording Units: 3

                        Ten kilometre squares: NG 53, 54

                        First Record: JWHH et al. 1934-36.

Rona:               Ten kilometre squares: NG 65

                        First Record: SJB 2001.

As a weed, West Suisnish and Rona Lodge; roadside near Eyre and in short turf near Brochel Castle.

*Geranium endressii J. Gay  French Crane's-bill

Raasay:           Recording Units: 1

                        Ten kilometre squares: NG 53

                        First Record:  SJB 2006.

Rona:               Not known.

Inverarish roadside arising from garden waste.

Geranium lucidum L.  Shining Crane's-bill

Raasay:           Recording Units: 2

                        Ten kilometre squares: NG 53

                        First Record:  JWHH et al. 1934-36.

Rona:               Not known.

Recorded from cliffs near the shore, Hallaig (Harrison, 1937a) and still present not far away on the cliffs of Beinn na Lice. Also under a garden hedge, West Suisnish 2001.

Geranium molle L.   Dove's-foot Crane's-bill 

Raasay:           Recording Units: 3

                        Ten kilometre squares: NG 53, 54

                        First Record:  JWHH et al. 1934-36.

Rona:               Not known.

Near Eyre, Inverarish and Brochel mostly with G. dissectum.

Geranium robertianum L.   Herb-Robert 

Raasay:           Recording Units: 39

                        Ten kilometre squares: All

                        First Record: JWHH et al. 1934-36.

Rona:               Not known.

Shingle, woods, rock ledges and scree. Never recorded from Rona.

Geum rivale L.  Water Avens

Raasay:           Recording Units: 73

                        Ten kilometre squares: All

                        First Record: JWHH et al. 1934-36.

Rona:               Ten kilometre squares: NG 65, 66

                        First Record: JWHH et al. 1934-36.

Widespread and common everywhere except acid moors.

Geum urbanum L.  Wood Avens 

Raasay:           Recording Units: 8

                        Ten kilometre squares: NG 53, 54, 64, 65

                        First Record: JWHH et al. 1934-36.

Rona:               Not known.

Uncommon in woods, mostly along the east coast from Fearns to Umachan.

Geum x intermedium Ehrh. Geum rivale x urbanum   Hybrid Avens

Raasay:           Recording Units: 0

                        Ten kilometre squares: (NG 54)

                        First Record: JWHH et al. 1934-36.

Rona:               Not known.

Near Screapadal (Harrison, 1937a). Storab Burn gorge KC 1987.

Glaux maritima L.   Sea-milkwort

Raasay:           Recording Units: 20

                        Ten kilometre squares: All

                        First Record: JWHH et al. 1934-36.

Rona:               Ten kilometre squares: NG 65, 66

                        First Record: EPS 1933.

Common in saltmarshes and rocks at the top of rocky shores.

Glebionis segetum L. Corn Marigold          Vulnerable

Raasay:               Recording Units: 1

                            Ten kilometre squares: NG 53, (54, 55)

                            First Record: JWHH et al. 1934-36.

Rona:                  Not known     

Reported in oatfields on Raasay and Fladday (Harrison, 1937a). Reported near Balachuirn by CWM & KC in 1969. Lost with the cessation of arable farming. One plant emerged from soil brought in from Alness in Easter Ross for road repair purposes in 2006.

Herb. SUN: MHO undated Raasay.

Glechoma hederacea L.   Ground-ivy

Raasay:           Recording Units: 1

                        Ten kilometre squares: NG 53

                        First Record: SJB 1998.

Rona:               Not known.

A single plant in woodland in Raasay House grounds.

Glyceria fluitans (L.) R. Br.  Floating Sweet-grass

Raasay:           Recording Units: 28

                        Ten kilometre squares: NG 53, 54, 55

                        First Record: JWHH et al. 1934-36.

Rona:               Ten kilometre squares: NG 65

                        First Record: JWHH et al. 1934-36.

Pools and ditches.

Gnaphalium sylvaticum L. Heath Cudweed    Endangered

Raasay:           Recording Units: 7

                        Ten kilometre squares: NG 53, 54, 55, 64

                        First Record: JWHH et al. 1934-36.

Rona:               Ten kilometre squares: (NG 65)

                        First Record: EPS 1933.

Grassy banks and one forest ride. Near Inverarish, Balachuirn, Arnish, opposite Fladday by the causeway and on Fladday itself.

Herb. LANC: KBB 1935 Raasay.

Gnaphalium uliginosum L. Marsh Cudweed 

Raasay:           Recording Units: 5

                        Ten kilometre squares: NG 53, 54, (55)

                        First Record: JWHH et al. 1934-36.

Rona:               Not known.

Appears in disturbed ground as when the lighthouse was demolished at Eyre, as a garden weed at West Suisnish, and when work was undertaken at Brochel shore.  Recorded from Fladday (Harrison, 1937a) but not seen there recently.

Gymnadenia borealis (Druce) RM Bateman, Pridgeon & MW Chase  Heath Fragrant-orchid

Raasay:           Recording Units: 19

                        Ten kilometre squares: NG 53, 54, 64

                        First Record: JWHH et al. 1934-36.

Rona:               Ten kilometre squares: NG 65

                        First Record: SJB & CWM 1996.

Harrison (1937a) recorded this plant (as G. conopsea) as “rare and local; only grows on limestone ledges above the path near the waterfall, Hallaig” but after his next visit revised his view to “More widespread and abundant than the earlier account indicates. Very fine east of the pier and near Oskaig” (Harrison, 1937c).

Indeed, there are two distinct habitats for this species on Raasay, the limestone cliffs in the east and open moorland slopes. Plants from the later habitat fit readily into this species, recently elevated from the rank of subspecies (G. conopsea subsp. borealis). However, some of the limestone plants are less clear. Thus one specimen was described as follows: “a true nightmare, combining features of all three species (leaf no, leaf size, flower no, spur length of borealis; stem height and diameter, spike length, labellum dimensions, shape (and colour) of conopsea, labellum "shoulder" of densiflora)," (RMB 1999).  No doubt molecular work could sort this out.

Gymnocarpium dryopteris (L.) Newman   Oak Fern

Raasay:           Recording Units: 4

                        Ten kilometre squares: NG 53, 54

                        First Record: JWHH et al. 1934-36.

Rona:               Not known.

Occasional where shaded by trees or rocks. One of the four extant colonies known is quite exposed and always looks in poor condition yet the number of plants is the highest of the four sites. Probably overlooked to some extent.