Among our more onerous tasks in the summer months is the removal of common ragwort, an injurious weed which poses a threat to livestock if ingested. It is deemed such a significant threat that it is covered by its own act of parliament (The Ragwort Control Act - 2003) and non-compliance can lead to prosecution.
A common ragwort looking sunny and wholly innocent.
It is a shame in many ways that ragwort is such a problem to livestock as it is of considerable benefit to a wide array of invertebrates as a nectar source and perhaps most famously as the food source for the caterpillars of the cinnabar moth. It is for this reason that we - for the most part - only pull and remove ragwort on the grazed pasture, leaving the remainder to be enjoyed by its myrial invertebrate guests.The cinnebar caterpillar transfers alkaloid poisons from ragwort into the adult moth and the vivid black and red sheen of their wings act as a warning to insectivorous birds and other potential predators.
Cinnabar moth (tyria jacobaeae) the Darth Maul of day flying moths.
Whilst out pulling the last little bit of ragwort on the main moor we were accompanied by our estimable botanist Naomi taking advantage of the fact that we were on the moor to do a spot of plant surveying, (to minimise disturbance we only go onto the moor when absolutely necessary). It proved well worth the effort as I helped Anne to remove the remaining ragwort and Naomi found a new colony of the rare golden dock - found in just two places in Dorset – Lodmoor and Radipole. Most previous Lodmoor records have been on Overcombe and so, quite rightly, Naomi was made-up to find it flourishing on the moor where it had never before been located. The plant favours exposed muddy margins and we manage the particular areas where it occurs to mirror its preferences. Interestingly the entire plant turns golden when it fruits – hence the name.
Top: Naomi with the new discovery and below a dazzling early autumn golden dock.