CORNISH HEDGES - FLAILED HEDGE FLORA
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 as in this roadside hedge in West Penwith where all the summer hedge flowers have disappeared. This tough grass overwhelms other species and is actively encouraged by flailing.)
, known as onion couch, is rampantly spread by the flail as its bashing action breaks off and scatters the bulbous roots, which then grow into new clumps. Here small pieces left and centre have been broken off from the clump on the right.)
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 is another menace that has been helped to spread by the flail. Cut pieces take root and by the time the flail comes around the main plant has fed its deep roots and spreads rapidly into the space made by the flail. The best way to deal with knotweed is to cut it down repeatedly when the shoots are very young, almost before the leaves open, which eventually exhausts the roots.)
 which now covers miles of roadside verges. Here, along with flail-resistant partners-in-crime montbretia (Crocosmia), Italian arum (Arum italicum), rosebay willowherb (Chamaenerion angustifolium) and coarse grasses, it is taking over a heathland hedgebank once full of treasures such as heath spotted orchid, dog violet and ivy-leaved bellflower.)
 still struggle through the ivy covering this hedge in West Penwith. Before the flail type of hedge-trimmer was introduced, 29 flowering species, mainly small heath plants, flourished in the area shown here in the camera%27s view.)
 is another of the umbellifers turned rampant by flailing, and has moved further inland along the hedges.)
