Agrostis canina L. subsp. canina
Conservation Status: C
First record: A Fryer,1880 Last record: AC Leslie,1982
The following records include ones for both subsp. canina and A. vinealis (A. canina subsp. montana); both are still at Gamlingay.
It is likely that Relhan's and Babington's records were for A. vinealis (but there are no specimens in CGE 24.3.1988). See also A. vinealis below.
A. canina Brown Bent-grass. Relhan,1785;1802;1820.
'Agrostis canina' N(ewmarket) H(eath) Fisher ann. Berkenhout,17. 25
White Wood, Gamlingay ride, HLK Whitehouse, 15.8.1955, det. PJO Trist 1985, CGE.
Gt. Heath Wood, wet places, SM Walters, 27.6.1957, det. PJO Trist 1985, CGE.
subsp. canina still at Gamlingay, AC Leslie, 1982.
Gamlingay Cinques, wet part of the depression. The combination of the panicle being relatively open in fruit together with conspicuous stolons bearing tufts of leaves at the nodes (and there being no rhizomes) led me to conclude that this was subsp. canina. AC Leslie, 17.8.2001, PVT. [However, see also A. vinealis below]. 49
March 'fire-lots' on undisturbed moorland, HF Fryer, [sic] 1880, in Hb CC Babington and in CC Babington's handwriting, det. PJO Trist 1985, CGE. (cf below)
Wimblington Fire-Lots, Cambs Dist 7, A Fryer, July 1880, det. PJO Trist 1985, CGE.
'Have you a specimen to give me of the supposed Agrostis setacea?... I believe that it is the true plant, and a very singular extension of its range, and very peculiar place for it. I presume that the Aster and this Bupleurum are remnants of an old tidal flora, before the erection of Denver sluices...' 21.10.1882. Bab. in litt. to A Fryer. Bab.Mem.397. 'The grass ... must I think be Agrostis setacea, but it is a very remarkable locality for it.' 1.11.1882... Bab. in litt. to A Fryer. Bab.Mem.397. [Fryer's CGE specimens show this was an error for A. canina.]
Horse Moor, nr Wimblington, TGT[utin] & JSL G[ilmour], 19.6.1930, det. PJO Trist 1985, CGE.
Agrostis canina L.
BAB: Relhan,1785,26;1820,29.
Wet, peaty land
3. Malton. Cow Fen, Cambridge. 4. Mare Way. Cottenham Fen. 5. Abundant in Wicken Fen. Bab.1860,271.
Bab.MS.Fl. 866.
3,4,as Flora
5Abundant in Wicken Fen.
