The Flora of Hutton Roof : Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomon's Seal)

Angular Solomons Seal - Lancelot Clark Storth - Pavement alongside BAP Memorial Seat - 29th May 2021.

Hutton Roof Crags was listed No. 193 of the original Rothschild Nature Reserves

And here is how it was listed on the original document:

"A piece of typical primeval Country = Limestone formation"

A locality for 'Lastrea rigida' (Rigid Buckler Fern) and 'Polygonatum odoratum' (Angular Solomon's Seal). Hutton Roof Crags those days was owned by Lady Henry Cavendish Bentinck of Underlay Hall, Kirkby Lonsdale (Earl of Lonsdale, Whitehaven Castle, Cumberland).

***

Some later notes more recently added by Cumbria Wildlife Trust:

An area in Westmorland (now Cumbria) considered by the SPNR to be a "typical limestone formation" and of geological and botanical significance. It was the only limestone pavement site on Rothschild's list and the SPNR noted it as a location for specialist plants such as Angular Solomon's Seal and Rigid Buckler Fern. Like other limestone pavement sites it has been damaged by some removal of stone but it is now protected as a nature reserve managed by Cumbria Wildlife Trust, and still contains some of the finest areas of limestone pavement in Britain. Today Hutton Roof Crags holds SSSI status.

(I have so far found 91 small populations of Angular Solomon's Seal on the Hutton Roof Complex and these can range in size from small one foot linear to around 8ft x 3ft linear populations)

Please note all photographs shown here are from specimens in the true wild and were taken within the area of Hutton Roof.

Emergence 2021

4 Emergence photos from 22nd April 2021

(Population: Lancelot (Cattle Crush)

Angular Solomons Seal (Polygonatum odoratum) - very early showing

Emergence 2020

And another special from yesterday was this next one. Again early development from Polygonatum odoratum - Angular Solomon's Seal. Just like the earlier mentioned species here we have another one from it's NATIONAL home on Hutton Roof. I have so far been lucky enough to chart at least 91 populations of this beauty, some of which are small of only a couple of feet in circumference, and some will be a couple of metres in a linear length or so.
Interesting that yesterdays specimen which was found at about 500ft asl was showing well at a couple of inches or so, yet checked out another 3 populations, one at 600 asl and two more at 700 asl and none of these were showing as yet. Suggesting that the lower altitude populations are the more advanced.

Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomon's Seal)
New shoots just starting to appear on these at 500ft asl, shoots not appearing on
populations above this height.
Photo: Lancelot Clark Storth (CWT) Hutton Roof Crags, 18th April 2020

Emergence of shoots

Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomons Seal) young shoots at 3-4"

Photo: Lancelot Clark Storth (CWT) Hutton Roof 1st May 2019

Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomons Seal) with flowers, Gymnocarpium robertianum (Limestone fern) and ASS shoots and Dryopteris sub-montana (Rigid Bucker Fern)

Photo: Lancelot Clark Storth (CWT) Hutton Roof 1st May 2019

Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomons Seal) Click over to enlarge

Photo: 4th May 2018 Lancelot Clark Storth, Hutton Roof

Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomons Seal) Click over to enlarge

Photo: 6th May 2018 Lancelot Clark Storth, Hutton Roof

Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomons Seal) Gymnocarpium robertianum (Limestone fern) and ASS shoots and Dryopteris sub-montana (Rigid Bucker Fern)

In situ photo of the general area

Photo: Lancelot Clark Storth (CWT) Hutton Roof 1st May 2019

Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomons Seal) Click over to enlarge

Photo: 25th April 2019 Lancelot Clark Storth, Hutton Roof
almost two weeks in front of 2018 showing

Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomons Seal) Click over to enlarge

Photo: 10th May 2018 Lancelot Clark Storth, Hutton Roof

Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomons Seal) click over to enlarge
Rare photo showing the unravelling of flowers from a leaf cocoon
Photo: Hutton Roof Common on 20th May 2019

Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomons Seal) already with rigid flowers
which will collapse to a dangling posture over the next week or so

Photo: Lancelot Clark Storth (CWT) Hutton Roof 1st May 2019

Above it shows the very first stage of flowering, were the flowers are rigid and pointing outwards, yet within a week or so the flowers will drop down into their recognised drooping posture

Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomons Seal) Click over to enlarge

This is a beautiful mature plant that lies within Lancelot Clark Storth (CWT), Hutton Roof, Cumbria and has you can

see it had a exceptional showing during 2017 (22nd May). Each year shortly after

flowering the plant is eaten away by some sort

of insect and all you eventually see is a skeleton frame.

21st May 2019

Clawthorpe Fell late pm to check out the Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomon's Seal)

Checking out the Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomon's Seal) and right on cue the four populations on this fell are at their best right now, and all bearing lovely drooping singular flowers like you would expect. Population 4 has probably got the most in flower yield and seems happy in it's tight grike habitat. Probably this plant is one of the most photogenic we have on this fell. All four populations on this fell show the 'normal' smaller odoratum leaf shape typical and unique to this member of the polygonatum family, which is a smaller leaf which shows a much lighter shade on the underside of the leaf in comparison to the topside. Also in these photos I have managed to capture the dual colour you get on the topside of the leaf which is occasionally noticed with a sheen of blue shadowing over the green.

Polygonatum odoratum - (Angular Solomon's Seal) Click over to enlarge
Photo: Clawthorpe Fell No.4 population on 21st May 2019

shows the blue sheen over the green
(not always noticed immediately, the light conditions have to be just right to see the blue eg: anytime but best at the end of the day)

Polygonatum odoratum - (Angular Solomon's Seal) Click over to enlarge
Photo: Clawthorpe Fell No.4 population on 21st May 2019

shows the light underside of the leaf which shows with comparison to the upperside.
again preferable you need the late part of the day

Polygonatum odoratum - (Angular Solomon's Seal) Click over to enlarge
Photo: Clawthorpe Fell No.4 population on 21st May 2019

This photo shows a good range of the typical variant leaf shapes you can expect but probably the most recognised
and familiar associated shape with the 'odoratum'
is the 'dolphin' head shape (see top left in this photo) with a blunt snout and sloping with disproportionate sides

Polygonatum odoratum - (Angular Solomon's Seal) Click over to enlarge
Photo: Clawthorpe Fell No.4 population on 21st May 2019

Polygonatum odoratum - showing the inner filament

Photo: Lancelot Clark Storth - 29th May 2021.

Polygonatum odoratum

Photo: Lancelot Clark Storth - 29th May 2021.

Polygonatum odoratum - showing the inner filament

Photo: Lancelot Clark Storth - 29th May 2021.

Polygonatum odoratum - showing inner filament

Photo: Lancelot Clark Storth - 29th May 2021.

Polygonatum odoratum

Photo: Lancelot Clark Storth - 29th May 2021.

(below: BERRY STAGE 1)

The photos below depicts the stage where the flower is disappearing and the green berry fruit is taking over.

Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomons Seal)

Showing the first stages of the berry forming under the spent flower

Photo: Lancelot Clark Storth, 27th May 2020

Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomons Seal)

Showing the first stages of the berry forming under the spent flower

Photo: Lancelot Clark Storth, 27th May 2020

Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomons Seal)

Showing the first stages of the berry forming under the spent flower

Photo: Lancelot Clark Storth, 27th May 2020

Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomons Seal) - Click over to enlarge

Photo: 24th May 2017 - Clawthorpe Fell

If you look at the line of flowers to the top left it shows the one on the right side having already exposed it green berry.

Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomons Seal)

Showing a very early transformation from flower to green berry

Photo: Dalton Crags on 7th June 2019

(below: BERRY STAGE 2 (Green Berry)

Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomons Seal) Click over to enlarge

This (above) is yet another fabulous plant which also lies in Lancelot Clark Storth (CWT) but on a

alternative pavement. (photo taken 21st June 2018)

Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomons Seal)

Shows berry at Stage two = Green Berry

21st June 2018

Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomons Seal) Click over to enlarge

This is a good photo for showing the end of leaf profile (the tip of the leaf), shows how directly upright and with a blunt tip.

(below: BERRY STAGE 3 = Blue/Black Berry)

Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomons Seal) Click over to enlarge

Shows Berry at Stage 3 = Blue/black berry

This is yet another photo of the same plant as above but taken later in the year on 24th July 2018

The photo depicts the stage where the flower has now turned from a green berry to a more mature blue berry colour.

Dryopteris submontana (Rigid Buckler Fern) at top of photo and

Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomon's Seal) to bottom of photo.

Photo: 22nd May 2017

It was this particular species Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomon's Seal) that was jointly (along with Dryopteris submontana) responsible for giving Hutton Roof it's SSSI status (Site of Special Scientific Interest) which Hutton Roof still holds today.

For several years I have recorded this species from wherever I have seen it on Hutton Roof. Although this plant is 'nationally scarce' yet it is widespread on HR and can be seen on most pavements. So far we have recorded 91 small populations and all have been individually recorded with their GPS, together with the date found, and details of size of plant area and general notes. This information has been deposited with the County Recorder, Cumbria Wildlife and Cumbria Biodiversity

Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomons Seal) Click over to enlarge

This is a nice plant which looks well especially in this limestone frame. It always seems to do well and is spreading. It is in part sheltered within a shallow gryke. The plant is on Lancelot Clark Storth (CWT)

Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomons Seal) - Click over to enlarge

Lancelot Clark Storth (CWT) Hutton Roof on 16th May 2019

Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomons Seal) - Click over to enlarge

Lancelot Clark Storth (CWT) Hutton Roof on 16th May 2019

Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomons Seal) - Click over to enlarge

Photo: Lancelot Clark Storth (CWT), Hutton Roof - 1st May 2019

This is a new single plant of a newly record population start. But I am showing this particular photo because I think it shows a good profile of similarity to the general shape of the leaf in odoratum.

Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomon's Seal) Click over to enlarge

Photo: Newbiggin Crags, Farleton, Hutton Roof, 28th May 2019

Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomon's Seal) Click over to enlarge

Photo: Newbiggin Crags, Farleton, Hutton Roof 28th May 2019

Decided to check out some nearby Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomons Seal) which was showing at it's very best. The population is about 2 metre.

Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomon's Seal) Click over to enlarge
Photo: Clawthorpe Fell - May 2018
Credit: Simon Harrop (aided by Bryan Yorke)

Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomon's Seal) Click over to enlarge
Photo: Clawthorpe Fell - May 2018
Credit: Simon Harrop

Odoratum being attacked by beetle
20th June 2019 - Lancelot Clark Storth

I checked on some of our regular Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomon's Seal), of interest is how the plants get attacked every year without fail a beetle munches into it and you can see the holes it leaves, but eventually it will take it down to a skeleton or frame just like "filigree". Here are a couple of photos to show you how it starts off....

Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomon's Seal)

Photo: Lancelot Clark Storth (CWT) on 20th June 2019

Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomon's Seal)
Showing Sawfly damage

Photo: Lancelot Clark Storth (CWT) on 20th June 2019

Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomon's Seal)

Showing Sawfly damage

Photo: Lancelot Clark Storth (CWT) on 20th June 2019

Caterpillar attacking Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomons Seal)
Been attacked by caterpillar (shown above)
Photo: Lancelot, Hutton Roof (CWT) on 25th June 2020

Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomons Seal)
Been attacked by caterpillar (shown above)
Photo: Lancelot, Hutton Roof (CWT) on 25th June 2020

Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomons Seal)
Been attacked by caterpillar (shown above)

Photo: Lancelot, Hutton Roof (CWT) on 25th June 2020

Similar Polygonatum species which can easily create confusion

Polygonatum multiflorum (it is a native plant familiarly known as "Solomon's Seal", but also and more widely known to also be a Garden escape)

and

Polygonatum x hybridum (Garden Solomon's Seal which is the hybrid with Angular Solomons Seal