Extinct plant rediscovered in the Peak District National Park
A rare plant previously thought to be globally extinct has been rediscovered in the Peak District National 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.
Leek-coloured hawkweed flowers are yellow, similar to a dandelion but smaller. The plant gets its name because its leaves are the same chalky-green as the vegetable, leek.
The discovery of Hieracium subprasinifolium, to give the plant its botanical name, was made by Dr Tim Rich whilst collecting seeds for Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank.
Dr Rich 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, very pleased to find these two small but healthy populations growing near the Monsal Trail. (more…)
