Coincya wrightii
Ecology and Distribution
Lundy Cabbage is
only found in one place in the world; Lundy Island in the Bristol Channel and only then on the south-eastern
cliffs and slopes. It remains the sole foodplant for the bronze Lundy Cabbage Flea Beetle Psylliodes
luridipennis as well as two other beetles. It grows to about 1m in height and has bright yellow
flowers. The plant grows on acid/neutral soils on slate and granite, mainly on sea cliffs but also amongst
disturbed but ungrazed grassland up to about 600m inland.
Threats
The two main threats to this species
are overgrazing by sheep, goats and rabbits and shading out and suppression from Rhododendron.
Bracken was initially thought to have been a threat but this appears not to be the
case.
Current Work
- The fluctuations in numbers of the Cabbage has been monitored by Leeds University
and English Nature for 12 years (2004) and the successes and declines of the Cabbage has been largely
liked to fluctations in numbers of rabbits on the island and weather conditions.
- Work is under way to investigate the true species status of the Cabbage and its insects
and its evolutionary history.
- Cutting, followed by herbicide
treatment of regrowth is starting to achieve control of the Rhododendron on the
cliff grassland in the south of the island and some of the cliff-face Rhododendron
has been removed by contractors from Ropeworks Ltd.
Contacts
David Bullock – The National Trust,
Head of Nature Conservation, Swindon
Roger Key – English Nature, Peterborough Head Office
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