Endangered plant discovered for first time in 40 years on a farm in North Devon

A rare and endangered plant has been discovered on a farm in North Devon.

The plant, known as Three-lobed Water-crowfoot, was discovered by the conservation charity, Devon Wildlife Trust, on a routine survey of a farm near Dunsdon, Holsworthy. Its exact location is being kept a secret.

The plant is classed as ‘endangered’ by the International Union for Conservation Nature and appears on its ‘red-list’.

It is thought that this is the first record of the plant, which is a member of the buttercup family, in Devon for 40 years.

The Three-lobed Water-crowfoot plant, which lives in wet ground, was spotted by Devon Wildlife Trust’s Kate Langdon.

Kate is part of Devon Wildlife Trust’s Working Wetlands team, Kate said:

“For many years I have been on the lookout for this rare plant and always make a point of checking wet gateways, small pools and old vehicle ruts (all places the plant favours) in the vain hope I would find. And there it was in-front of my eyes, it really was a heart-stopping moment. I couldn’t believe it, all those years of searching had finally paid off. I was thrilled to bits.”

Kate was taking part in a survey of local Culm grasslands being undertaken by the charity’s Upstream Thinking project. The project works with local landowners to help improve water for local people and wildlife.

Three-lobed water crowfoot (small round leaved plant in picture). Photo copyright Kate Langdon (All rights reserved)