Resurgence in wildflower numbers noted

13:10 15th October 2009

A charity carrying out a survey of the UK's wildflower populations has noticed a "startling" recovery in numbers.

According to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), conservation organisation Plantlife has discovered that a number of species have enjoyed a bumper year during 2009.

The results even show that a number of varieties have battled back from the brink of extinction.

One such plant is the marsh clubmoss Lycopodiella inundata, which was thought to have been almost eradicated from UK soils.

However, workers clearing "choking vegetation" in the Thames Basin discovered more than 100 new spores growing unassisted.

Other species enjoying a strong year include Salvia pratensis and Juncus pygmaeus, the research found.

It suggested the resurgence was down to two main factors - favourable growing conditions and the work put in by experts.

Last week, the RHS revealed that the National Trust had discovered a number of rare plants growing in its grounds during a survey of its sites.