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Feb.08

Precious wildflower uprooted and stolen

The theft of rare Meadow Clary plants from one of Britain’s top wildflower nature reserves has shocked Plantlife, the wild plant conservation charity that manages the site. Virtually the entire population was wiped out when twelve Meadow Clary plants were dug up at the Ranscombe Farm Reserve in Kent recently.

Kent Police are investigating the theft as Meadow Clary plants are protected under a 1992 amendment to Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

The loss of the plants from the small population at the reserve is devastating for the conservation of the species at the site, where the species have been recorded for more than 200 years. The first ever UK botanical record for Meadow Clary was in fact recorded on this site in the same field edge in 1792.

Plantlife had been successful in doubling the number of plants over the last two years through active management of the site but it may now be difficult for the population to survive the loss of so many plants in one go.

Chairman Roger Crofts is saddened by this shocking example of environmental vandalism: “Meadow Clary is a rare and declining species. one of the crown jewels of our British flora, so we must stand firm against criminal acts like the removal of these plants,” he explained.  “This loss reinforces the need to protect Britain’s rarest wild plants, which are already under enormous pressure from intensive farming and the  fragmentation of our semi-natural landscapes.”

Plantlife is working hard to safeguard our wild plant heritage and will continue to put every effort into conserving this species and many others which are a valuable part of our natural heritage. Meadow Clary (Salvia pratensis) is a stunning plant with striking blue flowers. It grows on chalk or limestone soils, usually in open or rough grassland, and is classified as ‘Near Threatened’. It currently survives as a native population in only 21 locations in the UK.

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