Ferns and Flowering Plants

About 635,000 plant records were used as the basis of maps in A Flora of Suffolk (2010). Since its publication, new records have continued to be added to the system. Details of national recording schemes can be found on the Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland website; this site also hosts downloadable recording cards for East and West Suffolk.

A variety of national maps are available via the Online Atlas of the British and Irish Flora

For help with identification, our Species Identification Guides page has a list of useful resources.

The publication of The Vascular Plant Red Data List of Great Britain (Cheffings & Farrell, 2005) prompted a revision of the Suffolk Rare Plant Register (right). All native and archaeophyte taxa have been analysed, not just those already identified as rare or scarce. This analysis was made possible by the publication of the New Atlas of the British and Irish Flora (Preston et al., 2002), which allowed comparisons with the Atlas of the British Flora (Perring & Walters, 1962) for all taxa. The register follows guidelines on which species to include issued by the Botanical Society of the British Isles in June 2005. It includes all species occurring in Suffolk that are:

• Internationally Rare – endemics and sps listed in IUCN Red Lists, EU Habitats Directive or the Bern Convention
• Nationally Threatened – All IUCN threat categories CR (critically endangered), EN (endangered), VU (vulnerable) and NT (near threatened) plus Nationally Rare (=RDB) - species occurring in less than 16 10-km squares in Britain
• Nationally Scarce – species occurring in 16-100 10-km squares in Britain
• Locally Rare – species which are present in 3 sites or fewer
• Locally Scarce and Declining – species that are present in 10 sites or fewer, or are thought to be in serious decline

Major Publications

• A Flora of Suffolk. Sanford & Fisk (2010), ebook available on the BSBI website for a nominal £5 fee
• The Orchids of Suffolk – An Atlas and History. Sanford (1991, SNS)
• Simpson's Flora of Suffolk. Simpson (1982, SNS)
• An Ecological Flora of Breckland. Trist (1979)
• The Flora of Suffolk. W.M. Hind (1889, London) Read online
• Flora of Suffolk. Henslow & Skepper (1860) Read online

Papers from Suffolk Natural History

• The Botany of Newmarket in 1660. N. Odin (2023) vol. 59
• An update on Stinking Goosefoot in Felixstowe, Suffolk. P. Armstrong (2021) vol. 57
• Elm in a Bury St Edmunds housing estate. N. Sibbett (2020) vol. 56
• Name changes in Stace's New Flora of the British Isles. M. Sanford (2020) vol. 56
• A Lizard Orchid in Ipswich. M. Sanford (2020) vol. 56
• A new native plant found in Suffolk. (2020) vol. 56
• Updating the Suffolk database for native Black Poplars (Populus nigra var. betulifolia). S. Hooton (2018) vol. 54
• Flowering patterns and synchronicity of Green-winged Orchid (Anacamptis morio) at Martins' Meadows. P. Chapman (2016) vol. 52
• Corky-fruited Water-dropwort Oenanthe pimpinelloides in Suffolk: an update. T. Gardiner & C. Strachan (2016) vol. 52
• Some recent Suffolk plant records. M.N. Sanford (2016) vol. 52
• Investigating the distribution of flowering spikes of Violet Helleborine Epipactis purpurata in deciduous Suffolk woodland in relation to adjacent ditches and differences in height above the base of the ditch, soil moisture and pH. D. & A. Kell (2014) vol. 50
• Some interesting plant records from herbaria. M.N. Sanford (2012) vol. 48
• Some recent Suffolk plant records. M.N. Sanford (2011) vol. 47
• Name changes in Stace's New Flora of the British Isles. M.N. Sanford (2010) vol. 46
• Plant recording in 2005. M.N. Sanford (2006) vol. 42
• Plant recording in 2004. M.N. Sanford (2005) vol. 41
• Suffolk Rare Plant Register. M.N. Sanford (2005) vol. 41
• A wild giant horsetail hybrid hunt. M.N. Sanford (2005) vol. 41
• Plant recording in 2003. M.N. Sanford (2004) vol. 40
• Plant recording in 2002. M.N. Sanford (2003) vol. 39
• Plant recording in 2001. M.N. Sanford (2002) vol. 38
• Plant recording in 2000. M.N. Sanford (2001) vol. 37
• Plant recording in 1999. M.N. Sanford (2000) vol. 37
• Game cover as a source of unusual alien plants. T.R. Abrehart (1999) vol. 36
• Unusual colour form of Green-winged Orchid. A. Cordon (1999) vol. 36
• Some recent Suffolk plant records. E.M. Hyde (1999) vol. 35
• (Not so) Western Gorse, Ulex gallii in Suffolk. M.N. Sanford & P.G. Lawson (1999) vol. 35
• Some recent Suffolk plant records. E.M. Hyde & F.W. Simpson (1998) vol. 34
• Some recent Suffolk plant records. E.M. Hyde & F.W. Simpson (1997) vol. 33
• Some recent Suffolk plant records. E.M. Hyde & F.W. Simpson (1996) vol. 32
• A preliminary survey of the flora of Bamhamcross Common. M.D. Crewe (1996) vol. 32
• Some recent Suffolk plant records. E.M. Hyde & F.W. Simpson (1995) vol. 31
• New East Suffolk records of wild roses. E.M. Hyde (1995) vol. 31
• A selection of Mrs Irene Vaughan's records of the wild roses of Suffolk. E.M. Hyde (1995) vol. 31
• Cochlearia danica L. on Suffolk roadsides, up-dated to 1994. E.M. Hyde (1995) vol. 31
• Sea Hog's Fennel (Peucedanum officinale L.) in Suffolk. F.W. Simpson (1995) vol. 31
• Unspotted Lungwort, Pulmonaria obscura Dumortier – a native species in Suffolk. C.R. Birkinshaw & M.N. Sanford (1995) vol. 31
• Elytrigia repens (L) Desv. ex Nevski subsp. arenosa (Spenner) A. Love. P.J.O. Trist (1995) vol. 31
• Transfer of the 'Landguard Herbarium'. E.M. Hyde (1995) vol. 31
• More orchids from seed. M.N. Sanford (1995) vol. 31
• Some recent Suffolk plant records. E.M. Hyde & F.W. Simpson (1994) vol. 30
• Rubus species. A.L. Bull (1994) vol. 30
• Some recent Suffolk plant records. E.M. Hyde & F.W. Simpson (1993) vol. 29
• The Scarce Plants Project, 1991–2. E.M. Hyde (1993) vol. 29
• The status of Spartina maritima in Suffolk. M.A. Cooper (1993) vol. 29
• Green Nightshades. M.N. Sanford (1993) vol. 29
• Fingered Speedwell. P.J.O. Trist (1993) vol. 29
• Festuca ovina at Landguard. A. Copping (1993) vol. 29
• Amaranthus spp. M.D. Crewe (1993) vol. 29
• Some recent Suffolk plant records. E.M. Hyde & F.W. Simpson (1992) vol. 28
• Updating the Suffolk Flora. F.W. Simpson (1992) vol. 28
• The genus Orobanche in Suffolk, a review of past records and taxonomy. M.N. Sanford (1992) vol. 28
• Early Spider Orchid, Ophrys sphegodes Miller reappears in Suffolk. M.N. Sanford (1992) vol. 28
• Some recent Suffolk plant records. E.M. Hyde & F.W. Simpson (1991) vol. 27
• Stinking Goosefoot at Landguard Point. M.D. Crewe (1991) vol. 27
• Further notes on the Brambles of Suffolk. A.L. Bull (1991) vol. 27
• Cock's-eggs – a correction. M.N. Sanford (1990) vol. 26
• Molinia caerulea var. viridiflora Lajeune – a variety of Purple Moor-grass in Suffolk. P.J.O. Trist (1990) vol. 26
• Molinia caerulea subsp. altissima (Link) Domin – a Purple Moor-grass. P.J.O. Trist (1990) vol. 26
• Some recent Suffolk plant records. E.M. Hyde & F.W. Simpson (1990) vol. 26
• Plant records from Landguard Common, 1985–1988. A. Copping (1990) vol. 26
• Past distribution of the Burnt Orchid, Orchis ustulata L. in Suffolk. F.W. Simpson (1990) vol. 26
• More aliens. M.N. Sanford (1990) vol. 26
• Birdseed aliens. E.M. Hyde (1989) vol. 25
• Ferns on Coralline Crag. F.W. Simpson (1989) vol. 25
• Hybrid oak. F.W. Simpson (1989) vol. 25
• Old Ivy. F.W. Simpson (1989) vol. 25
• A new Bramble. A.L. Bull (1989) vol. 25
• Abnormal Round-leaved Fluellen. A.L. Bull (1989) vol. 25
• Garden aliens. M.N. Sanford (1989) vol. 25
• Some recent Suffolk plant records (with drawings of Purple Viper's Bugloss, Wallflower and Verbena rigida). E.M. Hyde & F.W. Simpson (1989) vol. 25
• The Botanical Society of the British Isles monitoring scheme in Suffolk, 1987–8. E.M. Hyde (1989) vol. 25
• The influence of farming practice on the survival and final extinction of Fingered Speedwell, Veronica triphyllos L., at Lakenheath. P.J.O. Trist (1989) vol. 25
• Bird-seed aliens. E.M. Hyde (1988) vol. 24
• An Arum Lily introduction. F.W. Simpson (1988) vol. 24
• A Suffolk Bedstraw. F.W. Simpson (1988) vol. 24
• 'Hen & chickens' daisy. F.W. Simpson (1988) vol. 24
• Garden plants on Wortham Common. E.M. Hyde (1988) vol. 24
• Some recent Suffolk plant records. E.M. Hyde & F.W. Simpson (1988) vol. 24
• Additions and corrections made by Rev. W.M. Hind to his Flora of Suffolk. F.W. Simpson (1988) vol. 24
• A new Bramble for Suffolk. A.L. Bull (1988) vol. 24
• The Leopard Marsh Orchid. M.N. Sanford (1988) vol. 24
• An uncommon hybrid orchid, Dactylorhiza × transiens. E. Milne-Redhead (1988) vol. 24
• Bird seed aliens. E.M. Hyde (1987) vol. 23
• Arum introduction. F.W. Simpson (1987) vol. 23
• Hybrid Symphytum. F.W. Simpson (1987) vol. 23
• Some recent Suffolk plant records (with a drawing of Sulphur Cinquefoil – H. Thompson and of Fiddleneck – E. Beaumont). E.M. Hyde & F.W. Simpson (1987) vol. 23
• Changes in the Breckland. M.G. Rutterford (1987) vol. 23
• Moonwort – an unusual fern. G.D. Heathcote (1987) vol. 23
• Oxlips at Bulls Wood, Cockfield. G.D. Heathcote (1987) vol. 23
• The distribution of Common Calamint (Calamintha ascendens Jord.) and Lesser Calamint (Calamintha nepeta (L.) Savi) in Suffolk. E.M. Hyde (1987) vol. 23
• Additions and corrections made by Rev. W.M. Hind to his Flora of Suffolk. F.W. Simpson (1987) vol. 23
• Green-winged Orchid. M.N. Sanford (1986) vol. 22
• Unusual Plantains. R. Addington (1986) vol. 22
• The Lizard Orchid. G.D. Heathcote (1986) vol. 22
• Cherry Plum. F.W. Simpson (1986) vol. 22
• Some recent Suffolk plant records with additions and emendations to Simpson's Flora and a drawing of Crimson Clover (H. Thompson). E.M. Hyde & F.W. Simpson (1986) vol. 22
• The flora of Rosehill. F.W. Simpson (1986) vol. 22
• Maritime plants on Suffolk's roadsides. E.M. Hyde (1986) vol. 22
• Survival of Sea Beet and Sugar Beet inland in Suffolk. G.D. Heathcote (1986) vol. 22
• Molinia caerulea (L.) Moench subsp. arundinacea (Schrank) H. Paul, a subspecies of Purple Moor-grass. P.J.O. Trist (1986) vol. 22
• Festuca trachyphylla (Hackel) Krajina, a grass introduced into the Suffolk Breckland. P.J.O. Trist (1986) vol. 22
• Plants growing on old walls. F.W. Simpson (1985) vol. 21
• Rare Breckland plants. E.M. Hyde (1985) vol. 21
• A Speedwell at Barton and the Roman Tulip. F.W. Simpson (1985) vol. 21
• Some recent Suffolk plant records. E.M. Hyde & F.W. Simpson (1985) vol. 21
• Further plant records from Landguard Common, 1984. A. Copping (1985) vol. 21
• The Lizard Orchid (Himantoglossum hircinum) at Lakenheath – a history of happenings since 1974. M.G. Rutterford (1985) vol. 21
• The Black Poplars of Exning. G.M.S. Easy (1985) vol. 21
• Rocky Mountain Sage. F.W. Simpson (1984) vol. 20
• Some recent Suffolk plant records. E.M. Hyde & F.W. Simpson (1984) vol. 20
• Additional plant records from Landguard Common, 1983. A. Copping (1984) vol. 20
• Chickweed, Stellaria media – a source of viruses affecting crop plants. G.D. Heathcote (1984) vol. 20
• Calamints in Suffolk – a request. E.M. Hyde (1984) vol. 20
• More white-berried spindle. E.M. Hyde (1983) vol. 19
• Forked chickweed. F.W. Simpson (1983) vol. 19
• Some recent Suffolk plant records. E.M. Hyde, M.A. Hyde, P.G. Lawson & F.W. Simpson (1983) vol. 19
• Doubtful records of Orobanche purpurea Jacq. F.W. Simpson (1983) vol. 19
• Is Dotted Sedge, Carex punctata Gaud., a Suffolk species? C.A. Green (1983) vol. 19
• Plant records from Landguard Common (1979–82). A. Copping (1983) vol. 19
• Some Suffolk plant records 1980–81. E.M. Hyde, M.A. Hyde & F.W. Simpson (1982) vol. 18
• An introductory note on the native Roses of Suffolk. I.M. Vaughan (1982) vol. 18
• The Huntingfield oak. F.W. Simpson (1982) vol. 18
• Old Ipswich gardens. F.W. Simpson (1982) vol. 18
• Some recent Suffolk plant records. E.M. Hyde, M.A. Hyde & F.W. Simpson (1981) vol. 18
• Nineteenth century Rubus specimens from Suffolk. C.A. Green (1981) vol. 18
• The brambles of Suffolk: further notes. A.L. Bull (1981) vol. 18
• A brief review of the botany of Shingle Street, Suffolk. S.E. Heath (1981) vol. 18
• Some recent Suffolk plant records. E.M. Hyde, M.A. Hyde & F.W. Simpson (1980) vol. 18
• Oenanthe pimpinelloides L. in Suffolk. E.M. Hyde (1980) vol. 18
• Notes on Oenanthe pimpinelloides L. and O. lachenalii C.C. Gmel. F.W. Simpson (1980) vol. 18
• Suffolk botany, 1929–1979. F.W. Simpson (1979) vol. 18
• Some Suffolk plant records 1977–1978. E.M. Hyde & M.A. Hyde (1979) vol. 18
• Tulipa sylvestris L. in Suffolk v.c.25. P.J.O. Trist (1979) vol. 18
• Some former sites of Tulipa sylvestris L. in Suffolk. F.W. Simpson (1979) vol. 18
• Fritillaria meleagris at Micklefield, Suffolk. P.J.O. Trist (1978) vol. 17
• Water Germander, Teucrium scordium (L.). M.G. Rutterford (1977) vol. 17
• A century of change. A.L. Bull (1977) vol. 17
• Observations on the flora and origin of Redgrave and Lopham Fens, summer 1973. S.A. Heathcote (1975) vol. 17
• The Brambles of Suffolk. E.S. Edees (1974) vol. 16
• Narcissus "Van Sion" at Monewden. P.J.O. Trist (1974) vol. 16
• The Campions. N.R. Kerr (1974) vol. 16
• The Silvery Crocus Crocus biflorus Miller in Suffolk. F.W. Simpson (1974) vol. 16
• The Silvery Crocus Crocus biflorus Miller in Britain. D. McClintock (1974) vol. 16
• Some Observations on the Flora of the Margins of the A12. W.J. Plumb (1973) vol. 16
• Suffolk County Flora. F.W. Simpson (1972) vol. 15
• A Monoecious Salix babylonensis at East Bergholt. A. Girling & A. Wilkinson (1971) vol. 15
• Festuca glauca Lam. and the var. caesia (Sm.) K. Richt Blue or Grey Fescue. P.J.O. Trist (1971) vol. 15
• Suffolk County Flora. (1971) vol. 15
• The Conservation of Roadside Verges in Suffolk. C.W. Pierce & C.E. Ranson (1971) vol. 15
• Suffolk County Flora – Suffolk Flora Committee. (1970) vol. 15
• Suffolk County Flora. F.W. Simpson (1970) vol. 15
• Hedgerow Survey. E.C. Green (1970) vol. 15
• Records of some Grasses in Suffolk 1968. P.J.O. Trist (1969) vol. 14
• Beer and Botany. M. Allan (1969) vol. 14
• The Flora of Suffolk. P.J.O. Trist (1968) vol. 14
• The Common Star of Bethlehem. J.C.N. Willis (1967) vol. 13
• The Flora of a Manorial Pasture. P.J.O. Trist (1967) vol. 13
• Fritillaria meleagris. J.C.N. Willis (1966) vol. 13
• Beccabunga. J.C.N. Willis & M.M. Whiting (1965) vol. 13
• The Coming of the Lizard Orchid to the Breck. M.G. Rutterford (1965) vol. 13
• Flora of the Coralline and Red Crags of East Suffolk. F.W. Simpson (1965) vol. 13
• Breckland Flora. D.J. Martin (1964) vol. 12
• Our Flora and the Weather, 1962–63. F.W. Simpson (1963) vol. 12
• Some Botanical Notes, 1963. J.C.N. Willis (1963) vol. 12
• Avena fatua L. and other Gramineae records for Suffolk. P.J.O. Trist (1963) vol. 12
• The Pouch Meadow, Trimley. F.W. Simpson (1963) vol. 12
• Great Oak Trees and Others. J.O. Wright (1963) vol. 12
• The Fibrous-Rooted Oxalis-Corniculatae. J.C.N. Willis (1963) vol. 12
• Dactylorchis ericetorum, Linton, and Other Orchids. J.C.N. Willis (1963) vol. 12
• Some Plants – Rare and Otherwise. J.C.N. Willis (1962) vol. 12
• Icklingham Plains: Habitat Study. P.J.O. Trist (1962) vol. 12
• The Flora of an Old Pasture. P.J.O. Trist (1962) vol. 12
• Notes on some Suffolk Grasses. F.W. Simpson (1961) vol. 12
• Records of Interesting Grasses in Suffolk, 1960–61. P.J.O. Trist (1961) vol. 12
• Some Flora Records of 1960. J.C.N. Willis (1960) vol. 11
• Ecological Study of Fritillaria meleagris. P.J.O. Trist (1960) vol. 11
• The Waveney-Ouse Valley Fens of the Suffolk-Norfolk Border. D.J. Bellamy & F. Rose (1960) vol. 11
• Botanical Excursions in East Suffolk. F.W. Simpson (1960) vol. 11
• Vegetative Proliferation of Grasses and Phyllody of Clovers. P.J.O. Trist (1960) vol. 11
• County Flora Recordings. J.C.N. Willis (1959) vol. 11
• Some Plant Records of 1959. J.C.N. Willis (1959) vol. 11
• Suffolk Willows. F.W. Simpson (1959) vol. 11
• Sandpit Covert Marshes, Blythburgh, iii. P.J.O. Trist (1958) vol. 11
• Flora of 3½ Miles of A45. N.S.P. Mitchell (1958) vol. 11
• Suffolk Grasses. F.W. Simpson (1958) vol. 11
• Notes on the Suffolk Flora. F.W. Simpson (1957) vol. 10
• Changing Flora of Suffolk. F.W. Simpson (1957) vol. 10
• Changing Flora of Suffolk. F.W. Simpson (1956) vol. 10
• Flora of roadside of A45. N.S.P. Mitchell (1956) vol. 10
• Plant Damage by Summer Storms. P.J.O. Trist (1956) vol. 10
• Alien and Rare Plants at Lakenheath. M.G. Rutterford (1956) vol. 10
• The Suffolk County Flora. J.C.N. Willis (1956) vol. 10
• Some Interesting Suffolk Wildflowers. E.S. Rowling (1956) vol. 10
• A Frequent Alien. P.J.O. Trist (1956) vol. 10
• Botanical Section. P.J.O. Trist (1956) vol. 9
• Uncommon Flora of Suffolk. F.W. Simpson (1955) vol. 9
• Lower Abbey Farm Marsh. N.S.P. Mitchell (1955) vol. 9
• Ferns in Suffolk. A. Beaufoy (1955) vol. 9
• Sand Covert Marshes, Blythburgh. P.J.O. Trist (1955) vol. 9
• Sea Club Rush. T.B. Ward & P.J.O. Trist (1954) vol. 9
• Doubtful, Extinct and Uncommon Flora in Suffolk. F.W. Simpson (1954) vol. 9
• Blythburgh Marshes. P.J.O. Trist (1954) vol. 8
• Gorse and Broom on Foxhall Heath. A.E.M. Quantrill (1953) vol. 8
• Notes and Additions to Flora of Suffolk. F.W. Simpson (1953) vol. 8
• New plants in Suffolk recorded by W.A. Dutt (1870–1939). F.W. Simpson (1953) vol. 8
• Salt-tolerant Flora. P.J.O. Trist (1953) vol. 8
• Observations on twenty plants. F.W. Simpson (1952) vol. 8
• Ecology at Minsmere. P.J.O. Trist (1952) vol. 8
• Plant Records. F.W. Simpson (1952) vol. 8
• Botanical Section. F.W. Simpson (1951) vol. 7
• Changing Countryside and its Endemic Flora. F.W. Simpson (1950) vol. 7
• Wild Plants Growing on Waste Ground in Ipswich. S.J. Batchelder (1949) vol. 7
• On the Acquisition of Fritillary Field. C. Morley (1938) vol. 4
• Suffolk Five-fingers and Associate Plants. F.W. Simpson (1937) vol. 3
• The Plants of a Silted Pond. Lord Cranbrook (1936) vol. 3
• Gleanings from a Botanist's Diary. F.W. Simpson (1936) vol. 3
• Missing, Doubtful, New or Otherwise Interesting Flora of the County. F.W. Simpson (1935) vol. 3
• A New British Plant and a New Vice-county Record. H.K. Airy-Shaw (1934) vol. 2
• Species of Plants New to Hind's Flora. R. Burn (1931) vol. 1