Buses always come in threes, but Rare Plant Register species accounts come in fours. The next batch from the Paulton factory is here: Quaking-grass (Briza media), Flea Sedge (Carex pulicaris), Carline Thistle (Carlina vulgaris), and Strawberry Clover (Trifolium fragiferum). These are grassland species which have declined due to agricultural improvement, destruction of pastures, and eutrophication of road verges. None is scarce in VC5 or VC6, but all are Near Threatened on the England Red List. The general decline in England is also apparent in Somerset.
