Plant feared extinct is discovered in the Peak District

THE DISCOVERY of a once feared extinct plant in the Peak District National Park has been hailed as a marker of the success of conservation work in the park.

Two small populations of the leek-coloured hawkweed, 62 plants in total, have been found flowering on the banks of the Monsal Trail, in Chee Dale.

The discovery was made by Dr Tim Rich whilst collecting seeds for Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank.

He said: “Leek-coloured Hawkweed has not been seen in Derbyshire for over 60 years and is thought to have died out at its only other known world site in Staffordshire a few years ago, so I was very pleased to find these two small but healthy populations near the Monsal Trail.

“Hawkweeds are fascinating and unusual plants, we know of more than 400 species of hawkweed in Britain.

“Many are very uncommon or rare, and include British hawkweed, Dales hawkweed and Derby hawkweed, which are unique to the Peak District.”

It is the first time leek-coloured hawkweed – or Hieracium subprasinifolium – has been officially identified and recorded in the area since the 1950s. It is native to Britain but has only ever been recorded at four sites in the Peak District. It is not known anywhere else in the world.

Rhodri Thomas, Natural Environment and Rural Economy Team Manager for the Peak District National Park, said: “We are delighted with the discovery of Hieracium subprasinifolium close to the Monsal Trail – it’s one of the best indications we could ask for to show that the work we do to look after the trail side verges and the embankments is good for wildlife.“