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)
wild flowers
Irish Wildflowers: a fantastic native flower ID resource
This week’s Site of the Week is Irish Wildlflowers. I don’t know about you, but while I marvel at the beautiful intricacy of our native Irish wildflower species, I often struggle to identify them. There’s no substitute for a really good wildflower field guide, of course, but if you find yourself wondering what on earth that fabulous flower was taking a few photographs on your … [Read more...] about Irish Wildflowers: a fantastic native flower ID resource
Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum)
Herb Robert is pretty little pink-flowering herb that frequents ditches, walls, hedgerows and woodland all over Ireland. According to the “doctrine of signatures” widely adopted in the middle ages a plant with curative properties would reveal its divine purpose through its appearance. Because the foliage of Herb Robert turns a fiery red colour in the autumn, or where the plant … [Read more...] about Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum)
Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
The foxglove, with its elegant tall stems, luxuriant foliage and proliferation of purple-pink flowers is one of our most beautiful indigenous plants. A prominent flower of Irish hedgerows, ditches and woodland, it is found throughout the country, and in the summer, when in full flower, it's almost impossible to miss. While the plant's common name – foxglove – conjures up … [Read more...] about Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
Dandelions are found all over Ireland and are one of our most widespread and successful wildflowers. They grow almost anywhere; their unmistakable yellow flowers, their downy seed-heads and their familiar toothed leaves greet us from hedgerow and pasture, meadow and parkland, roadside verge and garden. The plants are at their most prolific in early spring and summer, but … [Read more...] about Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
