A rare plant that was discovered in Charlton in the 18th century has returned to Maryon Wilson Park, nearly 200 years after it was last seen in the area.

The endangered Starved Wood-sedge, one of Britain’s rarest plants, was first recorded and described to science in 1787. But the population vanished after 1830, when its woodland home was lost to development.

Now 15 plants have been placed in Maryon Wilson Park to mark its centenary, following extensive restoration work by The Conservation Volunteers to make the ground suitable.

The work has been overseen by the Species Recovery Trust, which has been working to reintroduce the plants back to some of their historical sites, and part-funded by Natural England.

Ava Marley, the trust’s conservation officer, said: “Starved Wood-sedge has an extraordinary story. It was first brought to the attention of science here in Charlton in 1787, and now we have an opportunity to bring it back to the area almost two and a half centuries later.

 “This is exactly what species recovery is about – not simply protecting the plants we have left, but restoring lost populations and giving rare species a chance to become part of the landscape again.”

Emma Ouldred, the secretary of the Friends of Maryon and Maryon Wilson Parks, said: “ 

“The centenary is a chance not only to celebrate Maryon Wilson Park as it is today, but to think about what we want its next hundred years to look like.

“Bringing back a plant that was first discovered in Charlton in the 18th century is a wonderful way of connecting the park’s past with its future. It shows what can happen when local volunteers, conservation organisations and the community work together to restore nature.”

Maryon Wilson Park – once part of an ancient forest known as Hanging Wood – was opened in 1926 after being given to the people of London by Sir Spencer Maryon-Wilson, whose family once owned Charlton House and much of the surrounding neighbourhood. 

Maryon-Wilson later donated a small herd of deer, which later formed the basis for the animal park, which has twice been threatened with closure by Greenwich Council.

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