A HAPPY XMAS TO ALL NATURALISTS
and all the best for a great 2009
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THE SUFFOLK
BIOLOGICAL RECORDS CENTRE

RECORDS PLEASE
Sempervivum tectorum Houseleek

I am particularly interested in the apparent decline of the
Houseleek, Sempervivum tectorum.
It was formerly introduced on porches, walls, tiled and thatched roofs of many
rural cottages and farm buildings as a protection against fire and lightning. This
once familiar sight has now almost disappeared. The plant is very tough and longlived
and must have been deliberately removed or ‘tidied up’ - I wonder if there will
be an increase in house fires started by lightning in future! It is an excellent remedy
for burns, sores and all kinds of minor skin ailments with a soothing sap as good as
any Aloe vera based salve.

      Martin Sanford

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:

Suffolk Biological Records Centre,
c/o Ipswich Museum,
High Street Ipswich,
Suffolk IPI 3QH.
Tel: (044) 01473 433557