More than 120 species of threatened, rare and scarce wildflowers grow in arable habitats and together they are the fastest declining suite of plants in the UK.

Many of these species are known only to occur in Suffolk and the heavy chalky boulder clay soils support a particular suite of these rare plants.

So often overlooked, they are still growing together in the cluster area prefering the soil and climate conditions found here and are ripe for conservation.

For full report see members area - documents archive.

Corn cockle
Photo copyright: Juliet Hawkins

The CSFF-funded project undertaken by Juliet Hawkins and supported by cluster members built upon previous rare arable plant survey work within the cluster over the duration of the CSFF funded period. Juliet brought together volunteer botanists to train cluster members, promote peer-to-peer learning and foster awareness of the importance of these plants.

As a result of this project, seeds collected from cluster farms have been cultivated in garden plots and the resulting seeds shared among cluster members to increase the distribution of these vital sources of pollen, nectar and seed within the cluster area. This is a unique contribution to the flora of the region and supports insects and seed-eating birds and mammals.

So as well as the plants Suffolk Wool Town Farms target species such as linnet and yellowhammer and the rare corn bunting will benefit from this initiative.

Rare Arable Plants