More chalk grassland indicator species
We returned to Gayles Farm the following week to survey another field or two. I should say that the survey methods and recording were all carefully adhered to, and were ably undertaken by Chris and Colin, I was just along to speed up the spotting!
The main photo above shows our beautiful location, with Bird’s-foot Trefoil Lotus corniculatus in the foreground.
Growing at National Trust Gayles Farm
![Gayles Farm sign National Trust Sussex Jul 2021](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Gayles-Farm-sign-National-Trust-Sussex-Jul-2021-450x600.jpg)
I cheekily zoomed in on the sign so you can see approximately where we were. We went rather nearer the sea than the “You are here” label but you get the idea! As you look at the map, Seaford is a bit further left and Eastbourne is just away to the right. You can see we were halfway along the Seven Sisters cliffs.
![Gayles Farm sign detail National Trust Sussex Jul 2021](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Gayles-Farm-sign-detail-National-Trust-Sussex-Jul-2021-600x338.jpg)
We found many flowers from the species list mentioned in Part 1. Photos marked with an L are plants that are on the list. We found many not shown, including Wild Thyme Thymus polytrichus and the warm fragrance was fabulous underfoot.
Wild Basil flowers – Clinopodium vulgare
Wild Basil was new to me. L
![Wild Basil flowers Clinopodium vulgare Gayles Farm Sussex Jul 2021](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Wild-Basil-flowers-Clinopodium-vulgare-Gayles-Farm-Sussex-Jul-2021-450x600.jpg)
Small scabious – Scabiosa columbaria
Sorry bad photo but there’s also a Bird’s foot Trefoil Lotus corniculatus in there 🙂 LL
![Small scabious Scabiosa columbaria Gayles Farm Sussex Jul 2021](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Small-scabious-Scabiosa-columbaria-Gayles-Farm-Sussex-Jul-2021-600x417.jpg)
Round headed Rampion – Phyteuma orbiculare
Also known as Pride of Sussex, this one loves the chalk too, but wasn’t on the list.
![Pride of Sussex Round headed Rampion Phyteuma orbiculare Gayles Farm Sussex Jul 2021](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Pride-of-Sussex-Round-headed-Rampion-Phyteuma-orbiculare-Gayles-Farm-Sussex-Jul-2021-600x600.jpg)
Henbane – Hyoscyamus niger
Chris pointed out this plant which I had never seen before, growing in some disturbed ground by a farm gate. Henbane is a member of the poisonous Nightshade family so we kept our distance.
![Henbane flowers Hyoscyamus niger Gayles Farm Sussex Jul 2021](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Henbane-flowers-Hyoscyamus-niger-Gayles-Farm-Sussex-Jul-2021-450x600.jpg)
Hedge bedstraw – Galium mollugo
Not to be confused with yellow Lady’s Bedstraw Galium verum, this one is not on the list.
![Hedge bedstraw flowers Galium mollugo Gayles Farm Sussex Jul 2021](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Hedge-bedstraw-flowers-Galium-mollugo-Gayles-Farm-Sussex-Jul-2021-600x450.jpg)
Dwarf thistle – Cirsium acaule
Listed as Stemless Thistle in the indicator species list. L
![Dwarf thistle Cirsium acaule Gayles Farm Sussex Jul 2021](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Dwarf-thistle-Cirsium-acaule-Gayles-Farm-Sussex-Jul-2021-600x450.jpg)
Clustered bellflower – Campanula glomerata
Often purple in colour as seen in Part 1, here is the white form.
![Clustered bellflower white flowers Campanula glomerata in bud Gayles Farm Sussex Jul 2021](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Clustered-bellflower-white-flowers-Campanula-glomerata-in-bud-Gayles-Farm-Sussex-Jul-2021-600x600.jpg)
That was another beautiful sunny morning! I also spotted a similar range of flowers on an afternoon walk in Cradle Valley Seaford in July, where I had more time for photography, and also Seaford Head in August.
See also my Fourth and final day counting flowers at Gayles Farm.