Welsh Journals

Glamorganshire Canal Nature Reserve: Additional Information, 1971-72. ROBERT A. HENDERSON, B.SC. (Warden of the Reserve) Since the article written by Dr. Mary Gillham appeared in the Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society, vol. XCIV (1966-68), the Cardiff City Parks Department, which has been responsible for the canal since it was acquired by the Corporation on 1st January, 1944, has appointed a Warden. A Management Committee has also been set up, which from time to time makes recommendations to the Director of Parks. DISTRIBUTION OF THE VEGETATION IN THE CANAL The vegetation of the section above Middle Lock is still similar to that present when the first survey was published. The only apparent change is that noded persicaria (Polygonum nodosum) has not been seen. The portion of the canal between Middle and Forest Lock used to lose a lot of water during the summer, but since the Parks Department has supervised the control of the nature reserve, and on the recommendation of the Management Committee, this has been cor- rected so that water is piped over Middle Lock into the section below by means of a siphon arrangement. Some years ago the pale yellow variety of water figwort (Scrophularia aquatica) grew on the canal bank between these two locks, but this plant was not noted between 1971 and 1973. On the other side of the Forest Lock, bur marigold (Bidens tripar- tita) and water pepper (Polygonum hydropiper) were seen only in 1971. The lower part of the canal from Forest Lock downwards retains most of the species of aquatic plants listed in 1967. Arrowhead (Sagittaria sagittifolia) has increased, giving rise to small patches all the way along this section. In 1971 isolated colonies of frogbit (Hydro- charis morsus-ranae) occurred here, but unfortunately there was no sign of them in the following two years. LIST OF ADDITIONAL VASCULAR PLANTS OF THE CANAL AND CANAL BANKS: 1971-72 Brassica napus B. nigra Barbarea vulgaris Reseda luteola Viola arvensis Stellaria holostea Moehringia trinervia Vicia sativa Prunus avium Oenothera biennis Aegopodium podagraria Pastinaca sativa Euphorbia helioscopia Rape Black mustard Winter cress Weld Field pansy Greater stitchwort 3-veined sandwort Common vetch Wild cherry Evening primrose Ground elder Wild parsnip Sun spurge