339 GENTIANELLA GERMANICA IN BRITAIN

The distribution and current status of Gentianella germanica and its hybrid with G. amarella (=G. ×pamplinii) in Britain have been assessed from existing records and seven years of field work. Gentianella germanica is largely restricted to the Chilterns in England and has been recorded from 174 sites, but is currently known in 83 sites (44 % decline). The decline has occurred mainly since the 1940s, throughout its range, equally across all habitats, and is on-going. Gentianella ×pamplinii is recorded in 44 sites and has shown a similar pattern of decline to G. germanica. The main causes of the decline of G. germanica are agricultural improvement and development of scrub woodland and there is little evidence of hybridisation causing loss of populations. Many populations of G. germanica are small with less than 100 plants, but some have populations over 1000. Appropriate habitat management is urgently required for its conservation