THE SUFFOLK BIOLOGICAL RECORDS CENTRE

Wild Clary, Salvia verbenaca, is an aromatic perennial herb of open grassland on sunny banks, sand dunes and roadsides, usually on well-drained, base-rich soils, including sticky calcareous clays that are wet in winter and baked dry in summer.

I have indicated those records that come from Churchyards as it is quite often found on these sites. The theory is that they are relics of a medieval practice of sowing 'Wild English Sage' (Salvia verbenaca) on graves in the belief that it conferred immortality. The 12th century Schola Salernitata includes the phrase 'cur moriatur cui salvia crescit in horto?' - why should he who grows sage in his garden die?

It is quite possible that the species has remained on these sites for centuries as, once established it is quite persistent and difficult to eradicate. There is also the possibility of buried seed being brought to the surface from time to time to re-establish or reinforce colonies and the relatively stable management regime of short turf on well drained soils (churchyards are very rarely wet) provides an ideal habitat.

Martin Sanford SBRC

RECORDS PLEASE

SPECIES NAME

: Latin is preferred but English is quite acceptable, particularly for birds and mammals.

LOCATION

: The name of the place where the record was made or a sketch map of the site.

GRID REFERENCE :

A Grid Reference of at least 4 figures (e.g. TM/1445): 6 figure references are preferred (e.g. TM/143452). All Ordnance Survey maps have instruction on how to read a Grid Reference.

DATE:

The day, month and year of the record.

NAME:

Name (and address if a new contributor) of the person who made the record.

The Centre can provide:

Help and advice about recording and identifying Suffolk's flora and fauna.

Information for teachers on the way schools can get involved through project work.

Advice on the relevant literature, local societies and experts.

'Tick' cards for recording all the major groups of plants and animals.

If you would like to get involved in surveys, or want to know more about the work of the Suffolk Biological Records Centre, please contact: