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Easter flower lost from 85% of sites

A new report reveals a decline in the purple Pasqueflower

April 20 2011

Pasqueflower Pulsatilla vulgaris is a stunning wild plant with vibrant purple bell-like flowers and yellow stamens, which grows on south and south-west facing slopes on undisturbed chalk and limestone grasslands, mainly in southern England but formerly as far north as County Durham.

But while it is still possible to see thousands of purple Pasqueflowers blooming on downland at this time of year, a new report from conservation charity Plantlife and the Botanical Society of the British Isles reveals the extent of loss of this beautiful wildflower, now found at only 19 sites in England, down from 127 sites recorded in the past.

Since the mid 20th century, the number of Pasqueflower sites has almost halved, due to a lack of effective protection and management, particularly a lack of grazing to provide the best habitat conditions for the flower to thrive. Many other previously recorded sites had been lost in the past due to ploughing, mineral extraction and urban development. Individual plants can live for many years, but Pasqueflower seldom spreads by seed so new colonies are unlikely to establish.

The ‘Pasque’ of 'Pasqueflower' means ‘of Easter’ or ‘of the Passover’, sand the plant is so-called because it tends to flower at this time. Other common names for the Pasqueflower include the Easter flower, flower-of-the-wind, pulsatilla and passe flower. English legend tells that it grows on the graves of Viking warriors, hence another of its common names – Dane’s blood – and this may directly relate to its need for bare ground for seeds to germinate and seedlings to establish.

Plantlife, in partnership with the Botanical Society of the British Isles (BSBI), is publishing a new ‘species dossier’ for Pasqueflower, bringing together research and information about the species in one place for the first time. This includes details about its ecology and life cycle, distribution and status, habitat requirements, and information about the factors that have led to its decline, together with conservation measures in place to help Pasqueflower survive.

Where to see Pasqueflower today

There are five places where Pasqueflower still thrives in large numbers (between them containing more than 99% of the entire UK population) and all are National Nature Reserves or designated SSSIs where management is helping the species to do well. Reintroduction of winter sheep grazing has helped four of the five largest sites to dramatically increase the numbers of individual plants.

• Barnack Hills & Holes, near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
• Therfield Heath, Royston, Hertfordshire
• Barton Hills, Barton-le-Clay, Bedfordshire
• Barnsley Warren, Gloucestershire
• Knocking Hoe, near Barton-le-Clay, Bedfordshire

To download a copy of the new dossier please visit our Pasqueflower page here (link at the bottom of the page).

For more information, images or for a copy of the Pasqueflower species dossier, please contact:

Sue Nottingham Press Office T 01722 342757 / 0786 1655438 / E .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Tim Wilkins Plantlife Species Recovery Coordinator T 1722 342746 / E .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).