Beneficial insects are essential in keeping our gardens and farms healthy. Some pollinate plants that produce our food. Others eat pests that would otherwise destroy our food crops. They also help break down dead organic material and recycle nutrients back into the soil. We rely on these tiny insects more than we realize, and they are a valuable part of the ecosystem.What … [Read more...] about Beneficial Garden Insects and How to Attract Them to Your Garden
plants
Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland Events in West Cork
Saturday Evening Talk at Butlerstown Maria Long of the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI) will be giving a talk in Butlerstown, West Cork this Saturday evening about the BSBI, what it is, what it does, and why it’s important.It will be a great opportunity to learn about plant recording locally and how you can get involved, whether you're a beginner or a … [Read more...] about Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland Events in West Cork
Jinny go up: the story of the thistle
You have to walk through a lot of farmer’s fields today before you find a good patch of thistles.This strange thought occurred to me the other day after several strolls in the countryside around my house. For a plant that the books claim is extremely common I found it very hard to locate. At least the ones in my garden are doing well and despite having a formidable defence … [Read more...] about Jinny go up: the story of the thistle
Book Review: The Wild Plants of Bere, Dursey, Whiddy and other Islands in Bantry Bay
The islands of West Cork, a region I feel privileged to call home, have a reputation for being excellent locations for wild plants.My life-changing introduction to West Cork was as a volunteer biologist at Sherkin Island Marine Station way back in 1993. I worked on the rocky shore monitoring project -- but the Marine Station conducts studies covering a multitude of … [Read more...] about Book Review: The Wild Plants of Bere, Dursey, Whiddy and other Islands in Bantry Bay
Book Review: Ireland’s Wild Orchids, A Field Guide
Ireland's orchids are a fascinating group of plants, and are among our most beautiful and evocative wildflowers. There's always a thrill when you spot the flower spike of an orchid thrusting skyward through the grass or pushing through the surface of a bog.Then comes the tricky part. You know it's an orchid... but which orchid is it?That's exactly when you should reach … [Read more...] about Book Review: Ireland’s Wild Orchids, A Field Guide
New book documents the wild plants of Bantry Bay islands
Sherkin Island Marine Station has just published a book documenting the diverse plant life of the islands of Bantry Bay, Co. Cork.Edited by botanical consultant, conservationist and writer John Aykeroyd, "The Wild Plants of Bere, Dursey, Whiddy and other islands in Bantry Bay" explores the history, geography, geology vegetation and land use in this beautiful part of … [Read more...] about New book documents the wild plants of Bantry Bay islands
Bird’s-foot-trefoil (Lotus corniculatus)
The birds-foot-trefoil is a common flowering plant that has, over the years, amassed a host of common names; names like “lady's shoes and stockings”, “crow-toes”, “lady's slipper”, “bacon and eggs”, and “God-Almighty's thumb and finger”. In all it has been attributed more than 70 different names, most of them related to either the shape or colour of its flowers. This abundant … [Read more...] about Bird’s-foot-trefoil (Lotus corniculatus)
Chemical Warfare in the Irish Countryside
As you read this article a complex arsenal of chemical weapons is being manufactured at sites all over the island of Ireland. When deployed these chemical agents are designed to subdue, inhibit, mutilate, mutate and in some cases even kill! The manufacturers of this nationwide chemical stockpile are of course plants. Unable to resort to the physical “fight or flight” response … [Read more...] about Chemical Warfare in the Irish Countryside
