Scorzoneroides autumnalis Autumn Hawkbit

Site notes: Autumn Hawkbit was observed to grow in exceptional profusuion across an area of land at Gorseinon Common, on which a Pictorial Meadow Mix of non-native annuals was sown the previous year. This land will have initially been sprayed with Glyphosate and rotovated before sowing, then at the end of the growing season the patch will have been reintegrated into the normal mowing regime across the common. The even flush of Scorzoneroides suggests the soils here support a viable seed bank and that the species is capable of responding rapidly to soil disturbance. This autumn flush proved to be attractive to a number of less conspicuous pollinators including base-banded furrow bees (Lasioglossum sp), which were present in good number.