Rubus durescens facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rubus durescens |
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| Linton's 1903 The Flora of Derbyshire showing Rubus durescens in gold leaf | |
| Scientific classification | |
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Rubus
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| Species: |
durescens
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Rubus durescens is a very special and rare plant. It's a type of flowering plant in the rose family (called Rosaceae). You can only find this specific bramble plant in one place in the whole world: the southern part of Derbyshire, England!
This plant likes to grow in hedges, bushes, woods, and heathland areas. A botanist from Derbyshire, William Richardson Linton, first described and named it in 1892. He even put a picture of this plant in gold leaf on the cover of his 1903 book, The Flora of Derbyshire.
Where Does Rubus durescens Grow?
Rubus durescens has pretty deep pink flowers. Linton said it grew "in plenty" over an area about five miles by four miles. This was to the north and east of Shirley.
He found the plant in many places. These included areas between Ambergate and Whatstandwell in the north. It also grew through Bradley Wood and Duffield in the middle. Further south, it was found between Church Broughton and Sutton on the Hill.
Later books about Derbyshire plants also noted Rubus durescens. The 1969 book by A.R.Clapham mentioned it in Bradley Wood and near Cross o' th' Hands. The 2015 version of The Flora of Derbyshire confirmed its range hadn't changed much. It listed locations like Mugginton Sand Quarry, Nether Heage, Lower Hartshay, and Swanwick.
Why Is This Plant Special?
Many very small plant types, called microspecies, don't have an official conservation status in the UK. However, experts like Cheffings and Farrell suggested something important in 2005. They said that any local plant found in fewer than five 10-kilometer squares should be considered "threatened."
Because of this, Rubus durescens is now on the 2015 Derbyshire Vascular Plant Red Data List. It's listed in the "Nationally Rare" category. This means it's a very important plant to protect in England.
