Plants of the Aldersbrook Exchange Lands

When the survey of plant life of the old Sewage Works Site was undertaken and the results published in the 1996/97, a total of 237 of flowering plants were listed. Here is an updated list.


"(CP)"  : species recorded by Colin Plant in his survey of 1980.
"Stace" : page number of the plant in Stace 2nd Edition
For a map, click here

Stace Species Common Name Location
11 Equisetum arvense Common Horsetail Area 3a
33 Dryopteris filix-mas Male Fern Area 1, M6, a plant just inside the park boundary 1992 - 30/07/96; 2008
51 Taxus baccata Yew N6, in the Wood, a single seedling in wood early 1994; 2009
82 Consolida spp. (ajacis?) Forking Larkspur Area 5, O6, a single plant on newly pebble-gravelled soil, June 1995
88 Ranunculus acris Meadow Buttercup (1992)
88 Ranunculus repens Creeping Buttercup Area 2, N5 & N6 (1992); Redbridge Field, N6, common in 1997
88 Ranunculus bulbosus Bulbous Buttercup N6 (1992)
90 Ranunculus sceleratus Celery-leaved Crowfoot Near stable entrance north edge of track 31/08/04
91 Ranunculus ficaria Lesser Celandine (CP) O5 (1992); Area 1, M6, a few patches in wooded area in 1995; Area 2, N6, a small patch just in grass at the west edge of gravel track, 04/04/94.
94 Ranunculus fluitans River Water Crowfoot Known for years in the Roding, between the sewage works and the golf course
102 Papaver somniferum Opium Poppy O5 (1992); Area 5, N6/O6 newly landscaped area particularly along north boundary, some large plants in May 1995; Area 6, O5, near pylon, large plants in May/June 1996
103 Papaver rhoeas Common Poppy (CP) N6 1992; Area 6, O5,newly landscaped gravel soil, May 1995; Area 5, O6, newly landscaped area in May 1995. Was still present in both areas in 1997
110 Fumaria officinalis Common Fumitory Area 3, N6, a few plants by side of track in 1995; Area 3 N6 in recently burnt area 31/08/04
112 Ulmus glabra Wych Elm N6, a small tree at  top of Roding embankment, by track
116 Humulus lupulus Hop At extreme east end of site, intruding from land outside Epping Forest boundary
117 Urtica dioica Nettle N5 N6 O5 O6
120 Castanea sativa Sweet Chestnut  
122 Quercus cerris Turkey Oak N6, Area 3, on embankment, 2010
122 Quercus ilex Holm Oak N5 Area 2, a small tree near east end of Wood, 28/12/04; N6 a small tree near break in embankment 18/04/06
123 Quercus robur English Oak N5 O5 O6
124 Betula pendula Silver Birch N5 O5
140 Chenopodium album Fat Hen 21/08/08
144 Atriplex prostrata Spear-leaved Orache O5, Roding bank 9/9/91
146 Atriplex patula Common Orache N6 Area 3a
156 Claytonia perfoliata Spring Beauty M5 near Riding School and O6 along river bund - not found recently
162 Stellaria media Common Chickweed N5 N6 O6 1992-2009
165 Cerastium fontanum subsp. Holosteoides Common Mouse-ear N6 (1992); 2009
166 Myosoton aquaticum Water Chickweed O5, mud bank in Roding 09/09/91; by fresh-water outflow, 28/08/2010
176 Silene latifolia White Campion N5 N6 O5 O6 (1992)
177 Silene dioica Red Campion N5 N6 O6 (1992)
183 Persicaria maculosa Redshank O5 Roding, new island 10/08/96
184 Persicaria hydropiper Water-Pepper O5 bank of Roding 09/09/91; O5 new island 10/08/96
186 Polygonum aviculare Knotgrass N6 by east fence opening 08/07/92
186 Fallopia japonica Japanese Knotweed N5. A long established patch at the east end of the Wood, just above Redbridge Field. Not present 2010. A patch in N6, Area 4 was poisoned in 2010.
187 Fallopia convolvulus Black Bindweed 26/08/2008
190 Rumex acetosella subsp. Acetosella Sheep's Sorrel N6 O5
192 Rumex cristatus
Greek Dock N6 13/07/2012
194 Rumex crispus Curled Dock O5 in five acres
194 Rumex conglomeratus Clustered Dock (CP) O6
195 Rumex obtusifolius Broad-Leaved Dock O5 at north end of 5 acres 27/06/96
207 Hypericum perforatum Perforate St. John's Wort N6 (1992 - 2016)
208 Hypericum maculatum Imperforate St. John's Wort  
210 Tilia x europaea (vulgaris) Common Lime N6, a large tree near Dell bridge entrance.1992-2008
212 Malva moschata
Musk-mallow N6, area 3, a plant found on 13 July 2012
212 Malva sylvestris Mallow N6 O5 (1992); O5 and O6, scattered plants on new gravel soil Area 6, 12/06/95 - 1996
220 Viola odorata Sweet Violet O6, a patch beneath trees at southern end of wood by Two Acres, March 1995
223 Bryonia dioica White Bryony N5; O5, top of embankment above Roding, near south end, 09/08/96
226 Populus x canescens Grey Poplar M6, a stand of trees at NW corner of works near boundary (May 1996)
226 Populus alba 'Pyramidalis' White (Bolle's) Poplar N6, a line (E.-W.) of four trees in middle of old "Redbridge Field". Noticed about 2014. Presumably seede from those nearby in City of London Cemetery. This area was subsequently made into paddocks for horses, and by 2018 the trees were being destroyed.
227 Populus nigra agg. Black Poplar N6, Three 2m saplings (May 2015)
234 Salix fragilis Crack Willow M6, a stand of trees near gates; O6 by river-side
237 Salix caprea subsp. Caprea Great Sallow N6
250 Sisymbrium officinale Hedge Mustard O5 (1992); O6 1996
250 Alliaria petiolata Garlic Mustard N5 O5 06 from 1992-2009
250 Arabidopsis thaliana   Thale Cress N6, Area 2, 19/04/2011
255 Barbarea vulgaris Winter-Cress N6 (1992); Area 5, N6, and Area 6, O5 - scattered plants growing on new gravel soil 12/06/95
256 Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum Watercress (CP) O5, in mud bank of Roding 09/09/91; O5/6 near outfall, plentiful in August 1996.
257 Rorippa amphibia Greater Yellow-cress O5, in mud at bottom of Roding bank 12/06/95, O5, O6 along Roding (both sides of river) June 1996
258 Armoracia rusticana Horse Radish Redbridge Field, N5, on embankment from 1992-97; Particularly at south end of Area 6, O5, 1996 -2009
259 Cardamine pratensis Cuckoo Flower N6, Area 3 to east of access path from Dell Bridge, 30/3/2002, 28/03/2012
259 Cardamine hirsuta Hairy Bitter-cress N6 edge of tarmac road in March 1992
264 Erophila verna Whitlow Grass N6 on tarmac road
267 Capsella bursa-pastoris Shepherd's Purse Quite common, particularly at top of Roding embankment (O5) 1992-2009
268 Thlaspi arvense Field Pennycress N6 by side of track in Redbridge Field, 12//06/2010
272 Lepidium draba Hoary Cress N6, O5,(1992); Area 2, N6, - increasing alongside track to field at east edge of area in May 1995 though to 1997; Area 4, N6, in 1997; Area 5, O6, in 1995
273 Coronopus didymus Lesser Swine-cress Area 5, O6, on new gravel soil in 1995; Area 6, O5, on new gravel soil, some good patches
274 Diplotaxis tenuifolia Perennial Wall Rocket Particularly common in N6, Area 3
275 Brassica rapa subsp. campestris Wild Turnip (var. sylvestris) Roding banks O5 O6, common from 1992 - 1996
276 Brassica nigra
Black Mustard M/N6 area 1, July 2012
279 Hirshfeldia incana Hoary Mustard N6 at edge of tarmac road
281 Reseda luteola Weld O5 N5 N6 (1992); Widely distributed, particularly by side of tracks; Many plants on new gravel soil in Area 6, O5 and O6 in June 1995
313 Sedum acre Wall Pepper N6 on tarmac road
329 Filipendula ulmaria Meadow-sweet (CP) O6; east bank of Roding July 1998
335 Rubus fruticosus L. agg. Bramble N6 O5 O6 1992-2009
340 Rubus caesius L. Dewberry O5, Area 6, by path above Roding
344 Potentilla reptans Creeping Cinquefoil N6 O5 1992-96
346 Geum urbanum Herb Bennet N6 by gravel path
361 Rosa canina Dog Rose N6 O5
365 Prunus spinosa Blackthorn O6, linear hedge 1992; N5, two shrubs by bridle path fence on grassed area, 22/03/93 - 1996
365 Prunus domestica Wild Plum N5, a few trees in south-east corner of Redbridge field 04/08/96
365 Prunus avium Wild Cherry N6; O6 some trees by bank along Roding (in flower 22/03/97)
367 Prunus laurocerasus Cherry-laurel N6, a shrub near old basement area (near the east edge of Redbridge field) next to dogwood, in flower late May 1993
369 Malus sp. Apple N6, two small trees
370 Sorbus aucuparia Rowan (CP) N5
371 Sorbus intermedia agg. Swedish Whitebeam O5
374 Sorbus aria Whitebeam N5 N6
395 Pyracantha coccinea Firethorn N6 at north end of Area 5 - a single plant 19/11/08
397 Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn N6 O5 O6
397 Crataegus monogyna x C.
laevigata  C. x media
Hybrid Hawthorn N6 in Area 2, a few trees
401 Robinia pseudoacacia Locust Tree N6, near Dell Bridge entrance 1992-2009
402 Galega officinalis Goat's-rue O5 O6, bank of Roding 09/09/91; O5, gravel area June 1996
406 Lotus corniculatus Birdsfoot-trefoil N6
407 Lotus pedunculatus Large Birdsfoot-trefoil O5
411 Vicia tetrasperma Smooth Tare N6; O5 and O6, scattered on newly gravel soiled area 12/06/95
411 Vicia cracca Tufted Vetch (CP) N6, one plant amongst other vegetation May 92; O5 east edge of gravel area and some plants among grass on river bank in 1995; In 1995 both these locations had lots more plants.
411 Vicia hirsuta Hairy Tare N6 O5; O5 and O6 scattered on newly gravel soiled area 12/06/95
411 Vicia sativa Common Vetch N6
414 Lathyrus pratensis Meadow Vetchling O5, river embankment
415 Lathyrus nissolia Grass Vetchling N6 north edge of Area 2
415 Lathyrus latifolius Broad-Leaved Pea N6, west edge of works 8/91; O5 banks of Roding 29/06/96
417 Melilotus albus White Melilot N6
420 Medicago lupulina Black Medick O5 and in Redbridge field N6 in May 96
421 Medicago sativa subsp. Sativa Lucerne N6 O5
423 Medicago arabica Spotted Medick 05, along gravel path at top of river bank 18/04/93; N6 Field June 1996-2008
425 Trifolium repens White Clover N6 O5
427 Trifolium campestre Hop Trefoil N6 in Area 2, 13/06/08; M/N6 Area 1, July 2012
427 Trifolium pratense Red Clover N6 O5
430 Trifolium arvense Hare's-foot Clover N6 O6
432 Laburnum anagyroides Laburnum Area 2 , N6 a single tree, 1995-2008
435 Cytisus scoparius subsp. scoparius Broom M/N6, a small amount in wooded area 1995-1996
436 Genista tinctoria Dyer's Greenweed M6/N6 One patch in Area 1; not seen in 2007/2008
440 Lythrum salicaria Purple Loosestrife O5, Roding banks 09/09/91; 09/08/96
444 Epilobium hirsutum Great Willowherb (CP) O5, bank of Roding 09/08/96
448 Chamerion angustifolium Rosebay Willowherb N6, O5, Roding bank 09/09/91 & 06/96
451 Oenothera sp. Evening Primrose  
453 Cornus sp. Dogwood N6 a large shrub at edge of basement area, N6 in full flower on 06/06/93; O5 afew plants along track east of pylon 0410
456 Ilex aquifolium Holly N5, some in wood. O6
461 Euphorbia helioscopia Sun Spurge Area 3 N6 by right angle corner of main track in recently burnt area 31/08/04
470 Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore N6 O6 1992-96
480 Geranium dissectum Cut-leaved Cranesbill N5 O5 O6
482 Geranium molle Dove's-Foot Cranesbill N6 O5
482 Geranium lucidum Shining Cranesbill N5 N6, plentiful around south facing concrete edges of settling beds in May 1992; Much less common in May 1995 after removal of concrete, and only persisted in vicinity of previous "basement" area
482 Geranium robertianum Herb Robert N5 N6, settling beds, May 1992; O5 O6
489 Impatiens glandulifera Himalayan Balsam O5, along Roding bank 31/8/92; O5 a small amount in sewage works 04/08/96. More plentiful furthur south outside of the sewage works
490 Hedera helix subsp. helix Ivy N6; O5, along south-west boundary fence; O6
497 Hydrocotyle ranunculoides Floating Pennywort O5, in still water between bank and new island 09/08/96. This did not persist, presumably having floated down the river from further north, and subsequently washed on.
501 Anthriscus sylvestris Cow Parsley N6, 06, Roding bank 09/09/91
504 Aegopodium podagraria Ground Elder N6
506 Foeniculum vulgare Fennel N6, particularly at south edge of field
507 Conium maculatum Hemlock N5 N6, particularly near allotments prior to 1994; O5 O6 abundant in 1991; less in 1992 when there were many nettles
512 Sison amomum Stone Parsley O5, a number of plants in established vegetation at south end nearer to bridle path boundary, 14/08/96
515 Heracleum sphondylium Hogweed N6 along north border bank
517 Heracleum mantegazzianum Giant Hogweed O6 along east edge of Area 5 in 2006. This has been treated for removal several times, the last being in 2018.
518 Daucus carota Wild Carrot N6
528 Lycopersicon esculentum Tomato N6, by access track between Area 5 and Roding
531 Solanum nigrum Black Nightshade N6
531 Solanum dulcamara Bittersweet N6
532 Solanum tuberosum Potato N5, near allotments, flowering Sept. 1996, still present 1997
532 Datura stramonium Thorn Apple on a soil heap in Redbridge Field 28/08/08
534 Convolvulus arvensis Field Bindweed N6
535 Calystegia silvatica Great Bindweed N6
535 Calystegia sepium Hedge Bindweed O5, bank of Roding near new island 10/08/96
545 Symphytum officinale Common Comfrey N5 O5 O6
545 Symphytum x uplandicum Russian Comfrey O6 area 5 29/4/09
546 Symphytum orientale White Comfrey N6
548 Pentaglottis sempervirens Green Alkanet M6, just inside gates adjacent to stables, in flower 27/08/96
551 Myosotis sylvatica Wood Forget-me-not N6 30/03/02
551 Myosotis arvensis Common Forget-me-not O6, three plants on newly pebble-gravelled soil in two acre site June 1995
554 Verbena officinalis Vervain N6 Area 3, a single plant 12/07/07; still present with a few flowers 16/19/10
559 Stachys sylvatica Hedge Woundwort (CP) N6, south edge of square, at north edge of path by east end of The Wood 14/07/98
559 Ballota nigra Black Horehound N6 O5
559 Stachys palustris Marsh Woundwort O5, by Roding 12/7/92; O5 many plants alongside the Roding 04/08/96
560 Lamium album White Dead-nettle N6 O5
562 Lamium amplexicaule Henbit N6
562 Lamium purpureum Red Dead-nettle N6 O5
563 Galeopsis tetrahit agg. Common Hemp-nettle N5,N6
566 Glechoma hederacea Ground Ivy N5,N6
569 Origanum vulgare  Marjoram N6, a single patch near lilac 19/07/2011; still present 07/07/2016
571 Lycopus europaeus Gipsywort O5, by Roding 09/08/96
574 Solanum nigrum Black Nightshade N6, Redbridge Field, disturbed soil, 30/08/08
583 Plantago major Greater Plantain O5, by Roding near gate 12/7/92
584 Plantago lanceolata Ribwort Plantain N6 O6; O5 and O6, many scattered plants on newly gravelled soil on 5 acre site 12/06/95; similarly on 2 acre site.
585 Buddleja davidii Buddleia N6, a small tree at edge of road (area 4); O5 seedling in new gravel at north-west edge of square (Area 6), October 1995; O5, a sapling in new gravel near south end of path, 09/08/96
586 Fraxinus excelsior Ash N6; O5, a tree near pylon, O6, a tree east side of track
587 Syringa vulgaris Lilac N6 a large shrub at SW corner of Area 3
587 Ligustrum vulgare Common Privet N6, Area 5. A small shrub flowering in July 2016
592 Verbascum thapsus Great Mullein O5 by side of track adjacent to Area 6; N6 Area 3 two plants in July 2012
592 Verbascum nigrum Dark Mullein N6, by western edge of Redbridge field boundary fence 08/07/92, 3 plants in July 1995; 3 plants on 31/08/04; N7, several plants at west edge of sewage works towards stables, 08/91; N6 Area 3 several plants in July 2012
599 Linaria vulgaris Common Toadflax N6, west part of Area 3 08/91; Area 3 N6 east side of path south of Dell entrance 09/08/96; N6 Area 5 just east of hedge 31/08/04
599 Linaria purpurea Purple Toadflax N6, a group on foundations of buildings by entrance track from Aldersbrook, 05/08/93
600 Digitalis purpurea Foxglove N6, on bank under trees, May 92
602 Veronica chamaedrys Germander Speedwell N6 by path at NW cnr. of Area 5, 29/4/09
605 Veronica hederifolia Ivy Speedwell N6
605 Veronica persica Common Field Speedwell N6
639 Campanula medium Canterbury Bell N6 Area 3
647 Galium verum Lady's Bedstraw N6
649 Galium aparine Cleavers N6 O5, O6, scattered on new gravel soil Area 6 12/06/95
651 Sambucus nigra Elder N6 O5 O6
652 Viburnum tinus Lauristinus M6, a single small shrub in Area 1, 18/4/09
656 Lonicera periclymenum Honeysuckle  
661 Dipsacus fullonum Wild Teasel N5 N6; O5 in new gravel area 09/08/06
674 Arctium minus Lesser Burdock N6; O5, a number of plants in gravelled area 04/08/96
676 Cirsium vulgare Spear Thistle N6 O5
678 Cirsium arvense Creeping Thistle N6 O5
681 Centaurea montana Perennial Cornflower N5
683 Centaurea nigra Black Knapweed N6 west side of N-S track
686 Hypochaeris radicata Common Cat's-ear (CP) 05 gravelled area 31/10/95 and June 1996
688 Picris hieracioides Hawkweed Ox-tongue N6 09/09/91
688 Picris echioides Bristly Ox-tongue (CP) 05, gravelled area 31/10/95
688 Tragopogon pratensis Goat's-beard M6 N5 N6 Area 2
689 Tragopogon porrifolius Salsify N5 N6 Area 2
690 Sonchus oleraceus Smooth Sow-thistle N6
690 Sonchus asper Prickly Sow-thistle (CP) N5 N6
690 Lactuca serriola Prickly Lettuce N5, N6 09/09/91; O5, a few plants on new gravel soil 12/06/95
698 Taraxacum sect. Ruderalia Dandelion (CP) N6
699 Crepis vesicaria Beaked Hawk's-beard N6
702 Pilosella officinarum (Hieracium pilosella) Mouse-ear Hawkweed N6, Area 3, 17/09/10
705 Hieracium umbellatum subsp. Umbellatum Leafy Hawkweed N6, O5, O6, plentiful 31/10/95
719 Solidago canadensis Canadian Golden Rod N6
720 Aster sp. Michaelmas Daisy N6, west edge of Area 4 (13/08/98), O5 Roding bank, 09/09/81; N6 Area 2, large patch in grassland 24/10/04
725 Conyza canadensis Canadian Fleabane N6
728 Bellis perennis Daisy N6
728 Tanacetum parthenium Feverfew N6, "basement area" 08/07/92 (check to see if any remains after area is filled in in 1994)
729 Artemisia vulgaris Mugwort N6 O5
732 Achillea millefolium Yarrow N6 O5 O6
735 Leucanthemum vulgare Ox-eye Daisy N6
735 Leucanthemum x superbum Shasta Daisy  
736 Tripleurospermum inodorum Scentless Mayweed N6; O5, many plants on new gravel area 6, July 1995
736 Matricaria discoidea Pineapple Mayweed N6 O5; O5, a few plants on new gravel soil area 6, 12/6/95, O6, more plants on main track in July
736 Matricaria recutita Scented Mayweed N6 O5; O5, many plants in flower all over new gravel soil area 6, 12/06/95; O6, similarly on two acre site
739 Senecio inaequidens Narrow-leaved Ragwort N6 in Redbridge Field after pipe-laying. 13/10/09
740 Senecio jacobaea Common Ragwort N6
740 Senecio squalidus Oxford Ragwort O6
740 Senecio vulgaris Groundsel N6
746 Tussilago farfara Colt's-foot (CP) N6 O5 (including a group of plants in new gravel area 31/10/95) ; O5, one plant found growing on new gravel soil in Area 6, July 1995.
754 Bidens tripartita Trifid Bur-marigold O5, on new island in Roding 19/08/96
759 Sagittaria sagittifolia Arrow-head O5, Ilford bank of Roding 04/08/96
760 Alisma plantago-aquatica Common Water Plantain O5, a luxuriant clump at edge of Roding river bank at water level 12/06/95
778 Arum maculatum Cuckoo-pint N6, a patch at bottom of boundary bank 1995
785 Juncus bufonius Toad Rush M6 and N6, both sides of access track from stables, plentiful on12/10/04
800 Schoenoplectus sp. Club-rush O5, in the River Roding; also O6, just below concrete bridge and apparently spreading and increasing (July 2018)
845 Festuca rubra Red Fescue O5
852 Lolium perenne Perennial Rye-Grass N6, O5 on 29/06/96
858 Poa pratensis Smooth Meadow-grass  
858 Poa annua Annual Meadow-grass M6, close to riding school
858 Poa trivialis Rough Meadow-grass ?
859 Dactylis glomerata Cock's-Foot N6 O6
864 Arrhenatherum elatius Tall or False Oat-grass O5 29/06/96
868 Holcus lanatus Yorkshire Fog O5, on 29/06/96
869 Aira praecox Early Hair Grass N5
872 Phalaris arundinacea Reed Canary Grass O5, new island in Roding 09/08/96; O6, edge of Roding at south end of square, 09/08/96
874 Agrostis capillaris Common or Fine Bent O5 29/06/96
880 Alopecurus pratensis Meadow Foxtail  
883 Phleum pratense Timothy O5 on 29/06/96
883 Phleum bertolonii Smaller Cat's-tail  
885 Bromus hordeaceus subsp. Hordeaceus Soft Brome N5 N6; O5 on 29/6/96
888 Anisantha sterilis Barren Brome O5 29/06/96
892 Elytrigia repens subsp. Repens Couch O5 29/06/96
895 Hordeum murinum Wall Barley N6, O5, Roding bank 09/09/91, O6
919 Sparganium sp. Bur-reed species O6, Roding, 28/10/2010
921 Typha latifolia Great Reedmace O6, Roding north of outfall 10/08/96; scattered along Roding on both banks
931 Ornithogalum sp. Star-of-Bethlehem N6, Area 3, some flowers near the lilac at the S. corner of Area 3, 12/05/08
934 Hyacinthoides non-scripta Bluebell (CP) N6
940 Allium vineale Crow Garlic O6, at north end of newly pebble/gravelled area of two acre site April 1995; A few stems in 1997; One found in Area 6, N6 in 1997; plentiful in Area 5, N6 subsequently
945 Narcissus spp. Hybrid Daffodils M/N5, east side of concrete filter beds, 22/03/93; O6, at north end of newly pebble-gravelled soil on 2 Acre site in April 1995
971 Anacamptis pyramidalis Pyramidal Orchid N6 a single plant 18/05/2012
982 Ophrys apifera Bee Orchid N6 Area 2 some plants in grass on 23/06/2001; still present 11/06/2011; N6 Area 5 in 2010
http://www.wansteadwildlife.org.uk/WILDLIFE/plants_Sewage_Works_Site/Turkey%20Oak_sw.htm