Irish Botanical News #35

Irish Botanical News No. 35

April 2025

Editors: Ciarán Flynn & Alexis FitzGerald

Spotted rosette leaves of Hieracium sommerfeltii on dunes at Umbra, Co. Derry (H40). Photo T. Rich © 2024 (p. 61)

Contributions intended for Irish Botanical News No. 36 Should reach the Editors Mr. Ciarán Flynn and Mr. Alexis FitzGerald before 31st December 2025 Email: ciaranflynn02@gmail.com & alexisfitzgeraldibn@gmail.com Please note the formatting style of references in this current issue and adhere to same before sending on contributions

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Committee for Ireland 2024 – 2025 The following is the Committee as elected at the Annual General Meeting in Lough Neagh Discovery Centre, Oxford Island, Co. Armagh, on Saturday 12th October 2024. Office bearers were subsequently elected at the first committee meeting. The Committee is now: Robert Northridge (Chair) Kim Lake (Joint Hon. Secretary) Shane Brien (Joint Hon. Secretary) Mark McCorry (Field Meetings Secretary) Ciarán Flynn (Joint Irish Botanical News Editor) David McNeill Cilian Roden Jessica Hamilton John Faulkner Oonagh Duggan Edwina Cole (Co-opted) The following are nominated observers to the committee: Maria Long (Board of Trustees) Bridget Keehan (BSBI Ireland Officer) Jen Farrar (BSBI Northern Ireland Botanical Skills Officer) Mike Wyse Jackson (NPWS) Vacant (NIEA) Draft Minutes of the BSBI Irish Branch AGM 2024 are available at: http://governance.bsbi.org/ireland Irish Botanical News is published by the Committee for Ireland, BSBI and edited by C. Flynn and A. FitzGerald. © C. Flynn, A. FitzGerald and the authors of individual articles, 2025.

Any opinions expressed in the articles below are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of BSBI. All species and common names in Irish Botanical News follow those in the database on the BSBI website https://database.bsbi.org/ and Stace, C. (2019). New Flora of the British Isles.

4th edition. C & M Floristics, Suffolk.

Front cover photo: Neottia nidus-avis (Bird’s-nest Orchid) inflorescence at Hazelwood, Co. Sligo (H28). Photo E. Gaughan © 2024 (p. 79).

Notes & Articles Notes from the BSBI Ireland Officer Bridget Keehan ............................................................................................................................................ 2 Vice-county Recorder vacancies .................................................................................................................. 8 Introduction from newly appointed Vice-county Recorders......................................................................... 8 Flora of County Monaghan Alexis FitzGerald ......................................................................................................................................... 9 Some observations on the genera Verbascum L. and Linaria Mill. and on the spontaneous occurrence of the interspecific hybrids Verbascum x semialbum Chaub. (Scrophulariaceae) and Linaria x dominii Druce (Veronicaceae) in an East Cork (H5) garden Tony O’Mahony ......................................................................................................................................... 10 Antrim’s Rare Plants – Part 5 David McNeill............................................................................................................................................ 23 Some notable records by John Harron (1944 – 2020) in Cooley, Co. Louth (H31) Ciarán Flynn.............................................................................................................................................. 27 New locations for Viola lactea (Pale Dog-violet) in West Galway (H16) John Conaghan & Cian Ó Ceallaigh ......................................................................................................... 48 Population size of Crambe maritima (Sea-kale) in Counties Cork (H3-H5) and Waterford (H6) in 2024, compared with 2019 Patrick Smiddy ........................................................................................................................................... 50 Flora (Protection) Order species in Co. Meath (H22): past and present Margaret Norton........................................................................................................................................ 52 Hieracium sommerfeltii (Sommerfelt’s Hawkweed) in Co. Derry (H40) Tim Rich .................................................................................................................................................... 61 Callitriche truncata (Short-leaved Water-starwort) found in Lough Mask, West Mayo (H27), extending its range west by 87km Paul Green................................................................................................................................................. 62 Further additions to the Taraxacum Wigg. flora of South Tipperary (H7) 2022-2024 Rosaleen Fitzgerald ................................................................................................................................... 63 A coastal flora in landlocked Co. Monaghan (H32)!

Alexis FitzGerald ....................................................................................................................................... 65 Re-find of Hymenophyllum tunbrigense (Tunbridge Filmy-fern) in Longford (H24) where first recorded

by Frederick J. Foot in 1864 Donncha Ó Catháin ................................................................................................................................... 70 Annotated checklist of Dryopteris Adans. in Co. Meath (H22) Margaret Norton........................................................................................................................................ 71 Vaccinium vitis-idaea (Cowberry) returns to Co. Carlow (H13), and how I had overlooked it Paul Green................................................................................................................................................. 76 A tribute to the late Matt Murphy (1935 – 2025), founder and director of Sherkin Island Marine Station, West Cork (H3) Tony O’Mahony ......................................................................................................................................... 77 Vice-county reports Recording in Sligo (H28) and Leitrim (H29) 2024 Eamon Gaughan ........................................................................................................................................ 79 Field meeting reports – 2024 Glassilaun Beach, North Connemara (H16), 6th July 2024 John Conaghan .......................................................................................................................................... 81

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Notes from the BSBI Ireland Officer – Bridget Keehan Email: bridget.keehan@bsbi.org Looking back over the last year 2024 was another very productive year for the BSBI in Ireland. Big thanks are due to our amazing network of recorders, who between them had submitted a total of 94,137 Ireland records for 2024 (as of late January 2025), as well as 51,215 historic (pre-2024) Irish records.

It was a great year in terms of events too - so much has happened over the year.

Here is a quick summary of some of the highlights: 2024 New Year Plant Hunt The BSBI kicked off 2024 with our thirteenth New Year Plant Hunt, which was the biggest and most successful yet. Over 3000 lists were submitted in total, with 171 Hunts completed across Ireland – an increase of 74% on the previous year. Just over half of the species recorded were “autumn stragglers”, which managed to persist into mid-winter as a result of mild autumn and winter weather. Roughly one-quarter were spring-flowering plants, with a further 20% being either all-year-round or specifically winter-flowering species. Around half were non-native plants and/or garden escapes. The longest lists were generally from urban areas and milder, more southerly locations. Ireland’s longest list was recorded by the ‘Raheen Ramblers’ in Co Limerick (H8), who recorded an amazing 54 species in flower!

Targeted Aquatic Plants Project (TAPP) In February 2024, two very successful Aquatic Plants Project training workshops were held in the Herbarium at the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, led by Nick Stewart. Nick provided training on ID of Myriophyllum, Potamogeton and Sparganium and, as a bonus, managed to identify many unnamed herbarium specimens with the help of attendees. It was invaluable having access to herbarium specimens, to see properly the various features that Nick was highlighting, and the help given by Herbarium and other NBG staff in facilitating the workshops and organising specimens was very much appreciated – a great (and very educational) time was had by all!

Eight TAPP field events were successfully completed during summer 2024, combining ID training with targeted rare plant surveys for Ranunculus tripartitus (Threelobed Crowfoot), Najas flexilis (Slender Naiad), Hydrilla verticillata (Esthwaite Waterweed), Luronium natans (Floating Water-plantain), Groenlandia densa (Oppositeleaved Pondweed) and Eleocharis parvula (Dwarf Spike-rush). All species were known to have occurred in the past at the survey sites, but had not been recorded from some years, and all were re-found except for the Eleocharis – several with help from the Project’s new underwater drone!

Two webinars on floating-leaved aquatic plants ID were released on 13th July 2024 and as of 23/01/25 had a total of 821 views.

Irish Spring Conference PAGE 2

This was held on Saturday 20th April 2024 at the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin.

Around 70 botanists and ecologists from all over the country attended, and a great day out was had by all, with talks on a wide range of subjects including using underwater drones to record aquatic plants; troublesome invasives to look out for; the flora of West Cork; IFI’s new photographic guide to aquatic plants and the new BSBI recording app. People enjoyed the varied programme of shorter talks, as well as longer breaks allowing more time for networking. Thanks are due to the fantastic speakers and volunteers who generously gave their time and contributed greatly to the success of the day.

Field meetings and indoor events There was an impressive programme of Irish field events in 2024, with fifteen outings across all corners of Ireland – from Killard in Co Down (H38) to Carrigtwohill (H5) in Co. Cork, and many wonderful places in between. One of these was a joint meeting with the Wild Flower Society, led in Co. Wexford (H12) by Paul Green. In addition, the Wild Flower Society held a field trip to The Burren and Connemara in July, which BSBI members were also involved with. A May trip to Co Fermanagh (H33) was a joint event with the British Bryological Society. Thanks to all who organised and led these events, and of course to our Field Meetings Secretary, Mark McCorry, for his hard work in compiling the programme.

In addition to the main BSBI field meetings programme, there were also two beginner’s ID workshops and a further three field meetings aimed at beginners and improver botanists, organised as part of the Northern Ireland Botanical Skills Project (generously funded by DAERA). Under this project, a series of ten webinars on a wide range of fascinating botanical subjects – ranging from foodplants of Lepidoptera species, to identification of NI brambles – have also been happening over winter 2024-25, along with four winter ID workshops, aimed at beginner and improver botanists, focussing on ID from winter-visible features (budding twigs, leaf rosettes, seed pods), ferns, and using Poland’s Vegetative Key. Irish Autumn Meeting and AGM For the first time in many years, in 2024 our annual Irish Autumn Meeting and AGM was held in Northern Ireland, at Lough Neagh Discovery Centre, on Saturday 12 th October, thanks to generous funding from CEDaR. Around 70 people attended, from whom we have had some excellent feedback.

The Conference theme was ‘Lough Neagh and the northeast of Ireland’, with various talks on the lake itself and its flora; the Belfast Herbarium; the new Flora of Co. Monaghan; the flora and habitats of Cooley peninsula, Co. Louth (H31); the flora of Strangford Lough and its islands; and the flora (and fauna!) of Rathlin Island. There was also an exhibit space, where speakers and a variety of other organisations connected with natural history and/or land management in Northern Ireland exhibited posters. Conference attendees could browse the exhibits during breaks, and groups that would not ordinarily have attended the event gained an opportunity to learn more about BSBI and our work.

There were also a variety of botanical displays and self-led workshops, an aquatic plant ID workshop led by Nick Stewart, and a guided walk around Oxford Island to observe the various habitats and conservation management being undertaken there. Big thanks are due PAGE 3

to all the speakers, exhibitors and volunteers, as well as the venue staff, who helped make this such a wonderful day.

New Year Plant Hunt 2025 For the fourteenth successive year, New Year Plant Hunt took place across Britain and Ireland, running from 29 th December 2024 to 1st January 2025. There was a total of 179 Hunts completed across the island of Ireland, with around 200 different species being recorded. Ireland’s longest list (and the 11th longest list overall), with an amazing 69 species, was recorded by Paul Green, who hunted around Yoletown, Ballycullane and St Kearns in Co. Wexford. If you haven’t done New Year Plant Hunt before, then why not try it next year? – it’s great fun and can be done by beginners and experts alike, so do encourage your friends and family to join in too. This year, for the first time, the spotters’ sheets that are always provided were tailored to individual countries and regions, so were much more helpful for beginners recording in Ireland.

What’s new in BSBI? The new recording app BSBI’s new recording app came into general use in 2024: all BSBI members can now request access to use it, and also to get limited access to the BSBI Distribution Database (DDb). You can use the app on your phone or tablet, while out in the field, or to enter records retrospectively, at home.

The app has many benefits, such as automatically assigning a 10-figure grid reference to your record, and, depending on the type of recording you are doing, it will alert you to start a new list if you enter (say) a new monad while botanising. It is especially handy for noting those ad-hoc finds, when you didn’t expect to be recording plants, for example when walking the dog or doing the shopping! For those who to prefer to use pen and paper in the field, the desktop version of the app makes it very easy to enter records from a recording card when you get home - MapMate/IBN codes can also be used making data entry even quicker.

Records submitted via the app do not enter the DDb directly but go into a separate workspace where they remain until approved by the VCR. VCRs can access all records for their county submitted via app within this ‘Recording app’ workspace (accessed from the main DDb search page), and it is a simple matter to check these records and transfer them into the main DDb workspace - moreover, the facility for taking photographs within the app means that it is easier to verify (or otherwise) uncertain records. Other users of the app can only view and edit their own records within the workspace; transfer of records to the DDb proper must be done by the VCR or a staff member.

New ‘Docs’ website and VCR resources page If you haven’t yet discovered this, please do check out BSBI’s new Documentation website at https://docs.bsbi.org for all sorts of information and guidance on BSBI’s key systems and processes – from using the DDb, the recording app and MapMate, to data access - who can use BSBI data and how - and responding to planning issues. The guidance and information are really clear and easy to follow and it’s great to have everything in one place.

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In addition, and specifically aimed at Vice-county Recorders, there is a new ‘Resources’ page on the website (https://bsbi.org/vice-county-recorder-resources) where we have brought together the key support materials and guidance vital to the VCR role, which we hope you will find helpful!

New appointments in the UK Two new Country Officers joined BSBI staff in 2024: Sam Thomas took up the role of England Officer on 2 nd April. Sam is an experienced botanist and entomologist with particular interests in plants, flies and moths, who has previously worked on urban biodiversity monitoring with the Natural History Museum, and on ecological consultancy and large-scale vegetation monitoring projects across both the UK and Ireland. Although his key role is to provide support for recorders in England, he has also been working on strategies and training to help make recording and data handling easier and more streamlined for everyone.

Meanwhile, Alastair Hotchkiss commenced work as the Wales Officer in June. His post is particularly focussed on the delivery of the Priority Plants Project in Wales, funded by the Welsh Government’s ‘Nature Networks’ Programme, which involves working with volunteer botanical recorders to survey and assess individual plant special features on SSSIs in Wales in order to determine their condition, and inform future management. Alastair is an experienced botanist and ecologist who started his career at the National Botanic Garden of Wales, and has since worked for CCW and NRW, and as a specialist adviser for the Woodland Trust across the UK. MapMate Sadly, Mark Yeates of MapMate circulated an email to all users in October, announcing his retirement and plans to wind-down MapMate Ltd from the end of 2024. The good news is that MapMate will continue to function normally for the time being, and existing users will be supported, updated and the infrastructure maintained until the end of 2025 – and you can continue to use it beyond that period as long as it remains functional. However, MapMate will no longer be available for new VCRs, and if you were planning to use MapMate for a major new project, such as a new county Flora, then it may be appropriate to consider alternatives to MapMate.

BSBI anticipates that many MapMate users will decide to adopt alternative recording software over 2025, and has been working on alternative data solutions and developing guidance and training to support recorders, to make the transition as smooth as possible. If you would like assistance with this, please get in touch with either myself or the data support team (dataaccess@bsbi.org).

I’m sure that all MapMate users greatly appreciate Mark’s 25 years of dedication and the valuable contribution that his software has made to biological recording, and we wish him all the very best for the future.

VCR updates I’m delighted to announce that in May 2024, Sinéad Garry became joint VCR for West Mayo (H27), ably assisting Eoin McGreal, while in January 2025, Brendan O’Hanrahan took up the post of co-VCR for Co. Carlow (H13) alongside VCR Lisa Dowling. Sinéad is PAGE 5

a very keen and enthusiastic botanist who knows West Mayo very well, and was already regularly assisting with recording in the area. Brendan is a professional botanist from neighbouring Co. Kilkenny (H11), who has extensive experience across Ireland and Scotland, specialising in surveys of montane, peatland and grassland habitats.

Sincere thanks to both Sinéad and Brendan for volunteering for these roles, and indeed to all our amazing Irish VCRs who give so generously of their time and expertise.

Particular thanks, and our best wishes, are also due to Pauline Hodson, who recently decided to step down from her position as joint VCR for Co. Wicklow (H20), which she has held since 2014. Pauline has had a long involvement with BSBI, having previously been VCR for East Donegal (H34) from 1989 to 2013, and her recording and contribution to BSBI’s work over the years is very much appreciated. In recognition of her long commitment to the recording of Ireland’s flora, Pauline has now been nominated as Emeritus Recorder. In accepting this position, she joins a very distinguished group of botanists in Ireland, comprising Paul Green, Paul Hackney, Sharon Parr, Sylvia Reynolds, Gerry Sharkey and Steven Ward, all of whom have made outstanding contributions to Irish botany. Our gratitude and best wishes are also extended to Catriona Brady, who now continues as sole VCR for Co Wicklow.

Across BSBI, an increasing number of VCRs are choosing to move towards a team approach in order to balance workloads and ensure the smooth transition of knowledge and responsibilities during succession. VCR teams also offer opportunities for members to make a valuable contribution to botanical recording in their local area.

Within Ireland, several VCRs have recently taken on, or are looking for, informal assistants, to help with various aspects of the role, from recording in other parts of the county, to data entry – perhaps with a view to becoming joint VCRs in future. If this is something you’d be interested in future, either as a VCR or prospective assistant, please do get in touch.

What’s happening in 2025 TAPP 2025 An exciting programme for 2025 is currently being put together: this year’s field outings will be especially focussed on targeted rare plant surveys, but events will be open to all and will still retain an ID training element. Keep an eye on the Aquatic Plants webpage (https://bsbi.org/aquatic-plant-project) and our social media channels for updates on upcoming events.

Field meetings 2025 As usual, we have a great selection of field events lined up for 2025, across the whole of Ireland, which are publicised on our website and in the BSBI Yearbook. Remember to book a place, as numbers may be limited; this will also allow you to receive updates if plans change.

The Botanical Skills Project - Northern Ireland will also be running a number of field events focussed on training for beginner and improver botanists and developing botanical skills in Northern Ireland generally, starting with recording weekends at the end of March to re-find and map populations of Teesdalia nudicaulis (Shepherd’s Cress) and other winter annuals at Murlough NNR, Co. Down and Grangemore NR, Co. Antrim (H39).

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Conferences in 2025 The Irish Spring Conference will be held as usual at the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin on Saturday 5th April. The theme will be ‘Recording’, and it promises to be a great day, so please do come along if you can!

Looking ahead much further: the Irish Autumn Meeting and AGM will be on Saturday 4 th October, again at NBG Glasnevin, so keep the date free!

FISCs (Field Identification Skills Certificate) BSBI is hoping to trial an Irish FISC (Field Identification Skills Certificate) in 2025 – to be held in Ireland and tailored to the Irish flora. We are currently looking for people to join a voluntary Irish FISC development team and help carry the process forward, so please do get in touch if you would be interested in helping bring this to fruition. Of particular help would be people with a good knowledge of both the British and Irish flora, to help adapt the assessment for Ireland, and we will also require people to act as Assessor and Gold Standard Surveyor. It would also be great to get input from anyone who has experience or a special interest in this initiative.

This is an exciting project and it would be fantastic to get the Irish FISC established in the near future, especially given the increasing requirements for certification within the ecology profession.

Keeping in touch Social media BSBI Ireland continues to be active on social media, with active accounts on BlueSky, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, Threads and TikTok. Social media plays a big part in how we keep in touch with members and others who are interested in Irish botany, and these platforms are used to highlight interesting and important plants, botany in general, BSBI, our projects, and the support we receive from NPWS. Recently, there has been decline on the popularity of Twitter in particular amongst those with concerns about the environment, and therefore we are increasingly using BlueSky as an alternative form of social media communication and commentary: check out our posts at @bsbibotany.bsky.social and @bsbiireland.bsky.social. You can also connect with #WildFlowerHour on Bluesky, from 8-9pm on Sundays: a great way to interact with hundreds of other botanists across Britain and Ireland and to share the plants you’ve found in the previous week.

Newsletters BSBI eNewsletter – This email newsletter for members and supporters goes out around the middle of each month. If you don’t already receive this, please do sign up at https://bsbi.org/email-signup so you can see future editions.

Recorder eNewsletter – the monthly newsletter for the recording community will continue to be published at the beginning of the month – if you do not currently receive this, and would like to, please sign up at https://bsbi.org/enews-page, where you can also download past editions.

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Closing thoughts Finally, a vote of thanks. Huge thanks are due to NPWS for their continued funding of the Ireland Officer post and the Aquatic Plant Project, which has gone from strength to strength during the time that it has been running. And lastly, and most importantly, I would like to sincerely thank everyone - recorders, members, staff, committee members and supporters alike - for their contributions, help and encouragement over the past year, and to express gratitude, on everyone’s behalf, to those who have been working behind the scenes to ensure that 2025 is another great year for the BSBI in Ireland! Wishing everyone happy botanising in 2025!

Vice-county Recorder vacancies There are currently no vacant vice-counties in all of Ireland. Nonetheless, if you have an interest in becoming a VCR/joint VCR for an Irish county in the future, or want more details about what is involved or how you could help out with recording, please get in touch with our Ireland Officer, Bridget Keehan – bridget.keehan@bsbi.org.

Introduction from newly appointed Vice-county Recorders West Mayo (H27) Sinéad Garry, Mucklagh, Kilmeena, Westport, Co. Mayo Email: sineadtgarry@gmail.com 2024 marked my first year as joint VCR in West Mayo (H27). I hail from Cavan but my ancestral roots on both sides of my family are in Mayo. From an early age the natural world has captivated me and upon qualifying as a primary school teacher I pledged that my top priority would be to instil a love of nature in my pupils. When life took me to Navan I got involved in the school garden and led the team for numerous years. At the time my sister was friends with naturalist Don Cotton and I was truly inspired by her tales of field trips and it helped shape my botanical journey in ways I would have never anticipated.

When a friend shared her idea about starting a local urban conservation group in 2019 I was intrigued and thus became a founding member of Wild about Navan. I began to share my growing knowledge of the urban flora with my local community. Then a serendipitous meeting with botanist Declan Doogue in 2022 led to my becoming a member of the Dublin Naturalists’ Field club. This was the real propellant in my botanical journey.

In spring 2023 I contacted the VCR in H27, Eoin McGreal, to offer my assistance with plant recording. A keen naturalist himself, he was willing to share his knowledge of the botanical landscape of West Mayo. Overall, 2023 was a brilliant season and highlights were meeting both fascinating botanists and plants at the BSBI summer conference in Killarney and BSBI field trip in Bellacorrick.

As my first recording season drew to a close, I was approached by Bridget Keehan and asked to consider taking on the role of joint VCR. With some gentle encouragement PAGE 8

from Eoin McGreal and my fellow field club colleagues I commenced this role in May 2024. It's been a steep learning curve but my attendance at the DNFC meetings and BSBI workshops has been very helpful.

To date my botanical highlights include finding a colony of Equisetum x trachyodon (Mackay's Horsetail) near Lough Carra and observing an exquisite colony of Saxifraga hirculus (Marsh Saxifrage). I enjoy dipping into natural history books and the many rabbit holes the natural world has to offer and have recently been drawn into the fascinating world of bryophytes. In 2025 I hope to reach out to other BSBI members in Mayo and would welcome any assistance in fulfilling my role in this vast vice-county.

Flora of County Monaghan The first Flora of County Monaghan was published in mid-December 2024.

Author: Alexis FitzGerald The Flora is A4 in size, in the style of the National Museum of Ireland book series, and runs to 566 pages.

The Flora has over 170 introductory pages. This is followed by over 1,200 species accounts, which provide descriptions and photographs of the many wild plants that make or have made Monaghan their home. For the scarce and rare species, all of the site locations are listed. There are over 310+ colour images, many of which depict plants and/or habitats in the wild in Monaghan.

The Flora was published by Wordwell Group, with publication funding deriving from the Local Biodiversity Action Fund of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, facilitated by the Heritage Section of Monaghan County Council. I am very grateful indeed for this funding opportunity.

The Flora can be purchased for €60/£50 per copy, through the Wordwell Books website (link here: https://wordwellbooks.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id= 2139), or through various of their distributors, e.g. Amazon, Waterstones, Hodges Figgis, etc.

Alexis FitzGerald

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Some observations on the genera Verbascum L. and Linaria Mill. and on the spontaneous occurrence of the interspecific hybrids Verbascum x semialbum Chaub. (Scrophulariaceae) and Linaria x dominii Druce (Veronicaceae) in an East Cork (H5) garden Tony O’Mahony, 6 Glenthorn Way, Dublin Hill, Cork City Email: littlerobin23@outlook.com Abstract In relation to the genus Verbascum L (Mulleins) (Scrophulariaceae), this paper provides some detailed observations on the worldwide phytogeography, life-cycles, floral biology, stamen morphology/anther-orientation and habitat preferences of its species and binary interspecific hybrids. Parallel data are also provided on the biology and distribution of native and naturalised species and interspecific hybrids of the genus Linaria Mill.

(Toadflaxes) (Veronicaceae), with the focus on those that occur in Britain and Ireland.

These two, numerically large genera, are well-known for their propensity to readily produce interspecific hybrids between cohabiting species, both in the wild and under garden cultivation. In this regard, the present paper reports the spontaneous, ongoing occurrence and proliferation of a single hybrid from each of these genera, in an East Cork (H5) garden, during the period c. 2010-2024. Within the genus Verbascum, the F1 interspecific hybrid is V. nigrum L. (Dark Mullein) x V. thapsus L. (Great Mullein) and its reciprocal (= V. x semialbum Chaub.). The F1 Linaria hybrid is L. repens (L.) Mill. (Pale Toadflax) x L. purpurea (L.) Mill. (Purple Toadflax) and its reciprocal (= L. x dominii Druce) – in addition to a range of F2 segregants that are visually and morphologically closer to their L. purpurea parent (possibly as a consequence of preferential backcrossing of the F1 to that parent), these latter taxa being highly pollen-/seed-fertile, and thus potentially capable of giving rise to hybrid swarms.

Introduction The genus Verbascum L. (Mulleins) (Scrophulariaceae) The numerically large, and visually distinctive genus Verbascum L. (Scrophulariaceae) consists of approximately 360 species worldwide (Heywood, 1993), and is almost exclusively indigenous to the Eurasian area of the northern hemisphere (though at least some of these species are now of transient occurrence, or occasionally naturalised, worldwide). Within its vast native territory, the greatest species diversity, endemism, interspecific hybrid frequency, and evolution in the genus Verbascum, occurs in Turkey (i.e. Turkey-in-Asia and Turkey-in-Europe), which boasts some 233 species and 126 F1 interspecific hybrids (Huber-Morath, 1978; Davis et al., 1988). Moreover, of these 233 species, 187 (c. 80%) are endemic to the Turkish flora (Davis et al., 1988). A second Asian centre of Verbascum diversity is Iran (Zohary, 1973; Huber-Morath, 1978), which holds some 42 species, of which 15 are endemic (Huber-Morath, 1981; Sharifnia, 2007). Keith Ferguson, in his excellent account of the genus Verbascum for Flora Europaea 3 (Ferguson, 1972) listed 87 numbered indigenous European species (plus a range of subspecies) of PAGE 10

which 59 species (c. 69%) are endemic. His residual, unnumbered group, included: (a) c. 8 taxonomically dubious taxa, whose true taxonomic rank remains to be established; and (b) 2 other species of doubtful nativeness in Europe: V. commixta/Celsia commixta Murbeck (native to North Africa), and the Caucasian species, V. formosum Fischer ex Schrank, which may have been excluded because it has only once been recorded from mainland Europe (i.e. the Crimean region of Russia). The suite of floral features of V. formosum are possibly unique within the genus Verbascum, namely: corolla bicolorous, i.e. yellow, with a conspicuous, basal, violet corona; stamen-filaments violet and connate in their basal part, to form a tube; basal leaf-blades suborbicular.

Verbascum species life-cycles and habitat preferences Within the genus Verbascum as represented in the European flora, the only shrub species is V. spinosa L., which is endemic to the Crimean region of Russia, where it occurs on mountains and stony hillsides (Ferguson, 1972). In contrast, all other European species (and interspecific hybrids) bear herbaceous stems that die back after fruiting, as do their leafrosettes. Of the three life-cycles encountered in this genus, only 1 species is an obligate annual: (i.e. V. orientale (L.) All.), while c. 60 species are biennial (the dominant condition) and c. 25 species perennial. However, under stressful growth conditions, some biennials may occasionally behave as annuals (e,g, V. blattaria (Moth Mullein) and/or V. thapsus (Great Mullein)), while populations of other species may behave either as biennials or shortlived perennials. As indicated above, the life-cycle of most Verbascum species is biennial, a basal leaf-rosette and stout taproot/rootstock being formed in the first year of growth, followed by flowering, fruiting, senescence and death in the second year. Most Verbascum species frequent and favour sparsely vegetated, open, warm, porous habitats (such as limestone screes and quarries, sandy, circumneutral soils (coastal and inland) and ruderal sites, which provide suitable conditions for seedling establishment. The downside of the biennial habit however, is that many such Verbascum populations tend to be transient, or erratic in appearance – predominantly as a consequence of poor seedling germination, as their habitat becomes shaded by encroaching, overarching shrubs and other coarse vegetation. When such deleterious environmental conditions span a long time period, Verbascum species may only persist at a site as a dormant seedbank. This is particularly the case with those populations of V. thapsus that occur on the margins of scrub and deciduous woodland.

Species and interspecific hybrid identification difficulties in the genus Verbascum, and the use of stamen morphology features, as an aid in identification.

Three factors complicate the taxonomy of the genus Verbascum: (1) the superficially similar visual appearance of many of its predominantly yellow-flowered species; (2) the frequency of F1 generation binary interspecific hybrids, that often cohabit with one or both parents, and that can (confusingly!) display a different admixture of inherited parental morphological characters across their distributional range; and (3) problems of identification of small populations of biennial F1 hybrids, when its biennial parents are not available for a comparison of diagnostic characters. With regard to the first factor, confirmation of the shape, and angle of insertion of the two lower stamen-anthers proves an invaluable aid in reducing the list of species-possibilities for consideration at any given PAGE 11

location. In this respect, the comments of Ferguson (1972: 205) are enlightening and helpful: “Two types of anther are found in the genus [Verbascum]. [1] Those of the 2 or 3 posterior (upper) stamens are always reniform and transversely medifixed (e.g. Plates 4 & 5); [2] those of the 2 anterior (lower) stamens may be similar, or may be elongate, longitudinally inserted (e.g. Plate 6) and decurrent on the filament. These two types are referred to [in the text] as reniform and decurrent respectively. In a few species, an intermediate condition is found, in which the anther is obliquely inserted (e.g. Plate 3).”

(Note: With regard to these two stamen-morphology characters as reflected in the European Verbascum-flora, c. 47 species (c. 54%) display flowers representative of [1], and c. 39 species (c. 45%) are representative of [2]. While it is possible that a handful of species transgress this otherwise rigid and highly convenient species-delimitation boundary, only a single species (Verbascum rotundifolium Ten.) is actually reported as doing so by Fergusson (1972) who stated: “[Its] … anthers all reniform, or the 2 lower sometimes somewhat oblique …”) However, a critical question then arises, as to whether the asymmetric lower stamen-anthers of species such as V. thapsus (Great Mullein) and V. virgatum (Twiggy Mullein) are always decurrent on their filaments? In my experience of these two species, the answer is emphatically no, as clearly demonstrated in Plates 3 & 6, where the obliquely-inserted anthers of the former species, and the more or less verticallyinserted anthers of the latter species, are seen to be restricted to the length of their connectives, and thus, in these two examples at least, are not decurrent on their filaments!

As noted above (i.e. factor 2), interspecific hybridisation is of frequent occurrence within the genus Verbascum, wherever two or more species cohabit – a situation that often also results in the presence of a commensurate range of F1 binary hybrids – thus compounding the difficulties of accurate determination of taxa. This situation is mainly attributable to the seeming absence of hybridisation barriers (at least initially) when crosspollination, followed by fertilisation, takes place, resulting in the production of F1 binary hybrids. (Note: This is also the assessment of Stace (2015: 244), who further commented: “If [Verbascum] species were self-incompatible, hybridisation in many localities would be rife.”) Yet this statement overlooks the fact that some populations of at least one species (i.e. V. nigrum) are self-incompatible (Warburg, 1962; and pers. obs., 2005-2024) – and thus highly susceptible to fertilisation of its ovules by the pollen of other species. Crucially however, within the genus Verbascum, post-zygotic hybridisation barriers do come into play, so that most F1 hybrids prove almost totally pollen-/fruit-sterile. Moreover, even when occasional capsules develop on these plants, each capsule rarely bears more than a few mature seeds – which later (even in cultivation) usually fail to germinate. A further barrier to the emergence of complex hybrid populations in this genus, is attributable to the fact that F1 binary hybrids (in which both the hybrid and its parents are biennials) are evanescent, as they die at the end of their second year. Additionally, hybrids arising from a cross between a biennial and a perennial species, are usually short-lived perennials (i.e. with a life-span of c. 3-5 years duration). Thus, complex hybrid populations (i.e. F2 segregants, and backcrosses that lead to hybrid swarms) seem a great rarity in the genus Verbascum, in stark contrast to the situation prevailing in some species-complexes in the genus Linaria (Toadflaxes) (see later observations pertaining to this genus).

With regard to factor (3), Stace (2015: 244) commented: “Hybridity [within the genus Verbascum] is usually inferred by sterility, and there may be a clue to parentage in PAGE 12

the species present in a locality. However, the latter feature is often of little assistance with these mainly biennial plants, because in most cases the current year’s hybrids are produced by the species that were present in the previous year.”

Native and alien Verbascum species and F1 interspecific hybrids in the British flora In contrast to the multiplicity of indigenous Verbascum species and F1 binary hybrids that occur in their main Asian and European headquarters, the native British Verbascum flora is pitifully small, being represented by just four species: Verbascum lychnitis L. (White Mullein), V. nigrum L. (Dark Mullein), V. pulverulentum Vill. (Hoary Mullein) and V. thapsus L. (Great Mullein). (Note: The Irish Verbascum flora is even more depauperate, only V. thapsus being native.) Fortunately in Britain, the Verbascum flora is generously supplemented on three fronts: (1) by the following eight species tentatively established from gardens and/or occurring as (usually fleeting) weed adventives: V. blattaria L. (Moth Mullein), V. bombyciferum Boiss. (Broussa Mullein), V. chaixii Vill. (Nettle-leaved Mullein), V. densiflorum Bertol. (Dense-flowered Mullein), V. phlomoides L. (Orange Mullein), V. phoeniceum L. (Purple Mullein), V. pyramidatum M. Bieb. (Caucasian Mullein), V. speciosum Schrad. (Hungarian Mullein) and V. virgatum Stokes (Twiggy Mullein). (Note: V. virgatum is a highly localised European endemic biennial species, its native phytogeographical range being summed up by Ferguson (1972) in the following terse phrase: “W. Europe, northwards to S.W England”: together with its listed countries: Azores, Balearic Islands, Britain, Corsica, France, Spain, *Italy [status doubtful] and Portugal.

While the inclusion of Britain (i.e. Cornwall and Devon in SW England) seemed logical and convincing on phytogeographical grounds, and bearing in mind that V. virgatum has long been regarded by British botanists as a native species in SW England, this beautiful biennial species is currently placed in the category ‘neophyte-naturalised’ by Stace (2019).

Moreover, V. virgatum is now distributed worldwide, as a transitory alien species.)

Supplement (2) consists of the nine F1 interspecific hybrids that occasionally arise between native Verbascum species-pairs (see Stace, 2015, 2019 for details); and supplement (3) alludes to the thirteen equally transient F1 binary hybrids between cohabiting native and alien species (see Stace, 2015, 2019 for details).

Native and alien Verbascum species and F1 interspecific hybrids in the Irish flora As stated earlier, Verbascum thapsus is the only member of its genus that is native to the island of Ireland. (Note: However, Hackney (1992: 261), on the basis of his observation that V. thapsus is: “Rarely, if ever, persistent at any site [in NE Ireland]”, concluded: “It seems doubtful that this species is native in N. Ireland, although frequently accepted as such in literature.”) On this matter, Stace (2015: 248), commenting on the British distribution of Verbascum thapsus and V. nigrum, stated: “Although both … are considered native in Britain, they often appear to be transient colonists of disturbed ground, which disappear or retreat into the seed-bank, as vegetation closes over.” Yet Stace had no doubt but that both species are British natives – in spite of the often fleeting nature of their appearances, which is an inherent attribute of the life-cycle of biennial populations of Verbascum species (as noted previously in this paper, under the sub-heading ‘Verbascum species life-cycles and habitat preferences’) Thus, Stace’s comment, to my mind, is the commonsense view, PAGE 13

despite the additional complications that arise from the fact that both species also occur as garden escapes throughout the islands of Britain and Ireland.

Verbascum thapsus is a spectacular and imposing, biennial species (Plate 1) which, under favourable growth conditions, can attain up to 2m in height, its beautiful leaves thick-textured and delightfully softly felted-pubescent, a factor attributable to the dense covering of both lamina surfaces with patent, dendritic (i.e. tree-like) branched hairs.

Moreover, V. thapsus is self-compatible, my own (limited) observations indicating that many populations are autogamous, fertilisation taking place at the mature closed-bud stage, as the elongating style pushes through the incurved dehiscing anthers, which latter deposit a variable amount of pollen on the receptive stigma. Plate 3 illustrates this phenomenon, the stigma sandwiched between the anthers of the two lower stamens – at least initially.

Consequently, even a single fruiting plant has the potential to found a colony of plants, given ideal conditions for mass seedling establishment on site, though such conditions are only occasionally realised. On another matter, I have long observed that, at the fruiting stage in late autumn, the leaves of V. thapsus are prone to disfiguring mildew infestation, and that this condition is also frequently manifested in the hybrid cross, V. thapsus x V. nigrum, but apparently not in its reciprocal, or in its V. nigrum parent.

(Note: In Medieval times, many European Christian pilgrims making the arduous journey to the Holy Land (Jerusalem), utilised Great Mullein leaves as (comforting) insoles in their shoes or boots. Moreover, the dried corollas of V. thapsus and V. densiflorum are still used today in herbal medicine, as an efficacious expectorant, and for the relief of earache. Hutchinson (1945: 611) commented: “When out of flower, [Great Mullein] is sometimes mistaken for the foxglove [Digitalis purpurea], and the leaves are occasionally found mixed with the latter, when gathered for medicinal purposes; the leaves [of Great Mullein] are densely covered with several-rayed, star-shaped hairs [while leaf-pubescence in Digitalis purpurea consists of unbranched, septate hairs].”)

To date, 6 alien Verbascum species, plus 1 putative F1 interspecific hybrid, have been recorded on the island of Ireland, all of them over various time periods, and all transient in nature (Reynolds, 2002). They are listed here in alphabetical order: V. blattaria, V. densiflorum, V. nigrum, V. phlomoides, V. pulverulentum and V. virgatum. With regard to the putative F1 hybrid record, Reynolds (2002) helpfully noted that this taxon was collected (as presumed V. nigrum) by J.P. Brunker from “near Kilbride Church” Co. Wicklow (H20) in 1929. Subsequently however, it was examined by E.J. Clement, who determined the voucher as possibly Verbascum nigrum x V. speciosum. (Note: During the period c. 1840-1860, Verbascum blattaria (Moth Mullein) and V. virgatum (Twiggy Mullein) occurred in waste sites about Cork City (H4-H5) and its hinterland, Power (1845: 45) commenting with regard to V. virgatum: “This plant is generally found by new roads and quarries about Cork [City] and wherever the soil has been newly and deeply turned up.”

Yet the relative frequency of both of these species at that time, remains uncertain, given that some botanists had difficulty delimiting them. Crucially, the Cork botanist, Isaac Carroll, noted that the flower-colour of V. blattaria varied from white to pale-purple (in contrast to the invariable yellow corollas of V. virgatum), while he also commented that V. blattaria, in his experience, was the dominant species of the two in the Cork City area (Moore & More, 1866). In subsequent decades however, V. blattaria seems to have died out in Co. Cork. (Puzzlingly, the map for V. blattaria in Preston et al. (2002), omits all Irish PAGE 14

records of V. blattaria – whether historical or more recent!) In contrast to the declining fortunes of V. blattaria in the Cork flora, V. virgatum seems to be here for the long haul, being recorded intermittently throughout the county (H3-H5) during the period c. 18402024.)

Verbascum x semialbum as a spontaneous hybrid in an East Cork (H5) garden The interspecific hybrid, Verbascum thapsus x V. nigrum and its reciprocal (V. x semialbum Chaub.) is reported by Stace (2015, 2019) as the most frequently occurring F1 hybrid of its genus in Britain, where both parents are native and often cohabit. However, on the basis of his overview of historical European monographs of the genus Verbascum, he drew attention to the fact that most binary Verbascum hybrids are quite variable in morphological features over their European ranges, and that V. x semialbum is no exception in this regard. In the latter case, for example, the indumentum of the anther-filaments of V. x semialbum is perhaps most commonly an admixture of the white (V. thapsus) and violet (V. nigrum) hairs contributed by both parents (as its binomial would suggest) and as clearly demonstrated in my East Cork (H5) garden material of the cross, V. nigrum x V. thapsus. But this feature is not set in stone, as the reciprocal hybrid (i.e V. thapsus x V. nigrum) in my Cork garden, bears anther-filaments displaying a ruff of wholly white hairs. Similar variation also pertains to the prominence (or otherwise) of the leaf-base decurrence on its stems, which latter feature may be influenced by the direction of the cross. Moreover, in both parental species, the inflorescences may be simple, or they may (albeit less frequently) be branched proximally – and such variation may also be present in V. x semialbum. Furthermore, the life-span of the hybrid will be biennial, when the parents themselves are biennial, while it is likely to prove a short-lived perennial when its V. nigrum parent displays a perennial lifecycle (per. obs.). Consequently, all of these possible variations need to be borne in mind, when dealing with Verbascum hybrids. (Note: In the general British plant literature, V. nigrum is stated to be a biennial or (more rarely) a short-lived perennial species: e.g.

Hutchinson (1945); Warburg (1962); McClintock & Fitter (1965); Preston et al. (2002); and Stace (2019); yet it is given unequivocal perennial status in Ferguson (1972); and Stace (2015). The general British consensus, it seems, is that V. nigrum most often displays a biennial life-cycle, but occasionally behaves as a short-lived perennial.)

As noted above, V. nigrum is (usually) only a transient alien on the island of Ireland, though it has been recorded here over a long time-period (c. 1879-2006). In marked contrast to these ephemeral occurrences however, a population of this species that I found close to Macroom town, on the West Cork/Mid Cork border (H3/H4, W3.7.) in 1967, persisted up to 2004, when it was obliterated by Cork Co. Council ‘cleaning’ operations, though I did manage to salvage one leaf-rosette at the time, for cultivation/conservation in my East Cork (H5) garden. (Note: Perplexingly, while the leaf-rosettes at the Macroom locality suggested that this population of V. nigrum was biennial and self-fertile in nature, yet in cultivation it has proved an exceptionally long-lived perennial (i.e. 2004-2024, and still thriving!). It has also proved wholly self-incompatible over this 20-year time period; thus it can only be propagated by division of its rootstock – a risky procedure at the best of times, with no guarantee that such unearthed and divided material will survive on replanting.) In April 2014, a chance seedling of Verbascum thapsus appeared in my garden, and this was moved to a rockery site (close to the long-lived plant of V. nigrum), where it PAGE 15

flowered and copiously fruited in August 2015, attesting to the fact that V. thapsus is a selfcompatible species. Although V. nigrum had proved wholly self-incompatible (and thus fruit-sterile) during the period, 2005-2014, I was obviously most surprised in July 2015, to see fruit-capsules developing on my two plants of this species (the second plant derived from cleavage of the rootstock of the original Macroom plant). This situation strongly indicated that these V. nigrum capsules were of hybrid origin, the genesis of this hybrid undoubtedly being a consequence of bee-assisted cross-pollination from V. thapsus, followed by fertilisation of the V. nigrum ovules. This development further raised the possibility that the reciprocal cross (i.e. V. thapsus x V. nigrum) may already have taken place in my garden. By late-September 2015, many mullein rosettes began to appear spontaneously in the rockery that supported V. nigrum and the now-dying V. thapsus, and

by July 2016, I was able to confirm that these now mature plants, represented both crosses of the interspecific hybrid, V. x semialbum (i.e. V. thapsus x V. nigrum and V. nigrum x V. thapsus). Subsequent microscopic examination of the F1 hybrid pollen from both crosses, revealed that c. 98% of their grains were deformed and wholly sterile, while fruiting calyces failed to develop in both taxa.

A morphological description of the East Cork (H5) garden Verbascum x semialbum V. thapsus x V. nigrum A beautiful perennial, up to 250 cm tall (this height-attainment largely attributable to the considerable elongation of its slender inflorescence-axis); its robust taproot having a c. 3year life-span (not biennial as in V. thapsus), and measuring c. 40 x 3 cm (ascertained after the death of one large plant); basal leaves (at least in some plants of this cross) attenuate proximally as in V. thapsus, but less pubescent than in that parent; stem leaves sessile and somewhat clasping, and only shortly and narrowly decurrent below their insertion point (in contrast to the long, broad, often wing-like and undulate leaf-decurrence of its V. thapsus parent) (Plate 1); its inflorescence-axis ridged and somewhat angled, as in V. nigrum (Plate 2), often elongated and ungainly in appearance, and branched proximally, as in both cultivated parents; flower-pedicels very short and stout (c. 1-4 mm) as in V. thapsus; all five anthers even-sized, reniform, and transversely-medifixed on their filaments (Plate 5), as in its V. nigrum parent (Plate 2), but the bottlebrush-like cluster of stamen-filament hairs wholly white or yellowish-white, as in V. thapsus (Plate 3); mature but unopened flowerbuds subglobose as in V. thapsus, not depressed and sharply pentangular in outline (i.e. starlike in shape) as in V. nigrum.

V. nigrum x V. thapsus This cross shares, with V. nigrum, the following suite of features: stems c. 100-130 (-150) cm tall, ridged-and-furrowed, its inflorescence-axis similarly ridged-and-furrowed (cf.

Plate 2); its flower-buds depressed, and pentangular in outline, the base of each corollalobe with a vermillion, arrow-like mark, and its five anthers even-sized, reniform, and transversely-medifixed (Plate 5); stamen-filament pubescence a mixture of white and palemauve hairs (an intermediate condition).The characters inherited from its V. thapsus parent included: conspicuous pubescence on both surfaces of the basal leaves, their laminas c. 40 x 20 cm (though otherwise intermediate between both parent species in being broadly round-based, and with only c. 5 cm long petioles); lower stem-leaves shortly and narrowly PAGE 16

decurrent below their attachment point; sepals narrowly-triangular in outline (not linear as in V. nigrum); pedicels only 1-4 mm long, as in V. thapsus.

The genus Linaria Mill. (Veronicaceae) The large genus Linaria Mill. (Toadflaxes) (Veronicaceae) was traditionally included in the family Scrophulariaceae, but, as Stace (2019: 617) has pointed out, its transference to the Veronicaceae represents “1 of the 2 main families created by the fragmentation of the Scrophulariaceae, following molecular evidence.” This genus is highly distinctive visually throughout its worldwide range, which encompasses Europe, temperate Asia and temperate America (Warburg, 1962), as well as North Africa (Chater et al., 1972). Although not genetically related, the genus Linaria shares certain parallel characteristics with the genus Verbascum (Scrophulariaceae), such as (1) the preference of most species for marginal, dry, disturbed habitats; (2) the high level of narrow-endemism it displays regionally; (3) the suspicion of the existence of extensive hybrid swarms, whose resolution must await detailed scrutiny, given that adequate critical data for such an overview is currently lacking; and (4) (a related, dovetailing conundrum), the taxonomic distinction and delimitation challenges posed by certain groups of taxa, which exhibit reticulate morphological features. In relation to factor (4) in particular, Chater et al. (1972: 226) in their taxonomic account of the genus Linaria for Flora Europaea 3 stated: “… four closely related groups [of] species … present particular difficulties, with a strongly reticulate pattern in the variation of those characters most commonly relied on for taxonomic differentiation.” They also commented that the genus as a whole is taxonomically difficult, and requires ongoing study, while they further elaborated that: “The sections into which the genus has been traditionally divided are unsatisfactory: we have chosen to make only one division, based on seed-character.” (Note: The morphological distinctions between both seed-types in Chater et al. (1972) are circumscribed as follows: (a) ‘Seeds ovoid, reniform, trigonous or tetrahedral; sometimes somewhat compressed but never discoid; usually not winged (rarely with very narrow wings on the angles)’; (b) ‘Seeds discoid, orbicular to reniform, surrounded by a conspicuous (rarely very narrow) marginal wing.’).

Chater et al. (1972) recognised 70 numbered Linaria species in Europe, of which 69 are indigenous and 1 is naturalised. Of the 69 native species, c. 47 (i.e. c. 67%) are endemics, the endemic group consisting of c. 26 perennials and c. 21 annuals. However, precise estimates are not possible, as a range of species display variable life-cycles, and can behave as annuals, biennials or perennials, in response to differing environmental factors.

Of the 11 unnumbered taxa, most are of dubious taxonomic status, while some may be of hybrid origin.

Native and alien Linaria species and interspecific hybrids in the British flora As with the paucity of indigenous Verbascum taxa in the British flora, the genus Linaria provides a parallel situation. For example, Stace (2015, 2019) listed 8 Linaria species as occurring in Britain, of which 7 are a combination of long established and relatively recently established or casual aliens, the exception being L. vulgaris Mill. (Common Toadflax), which is a common and widespread British native. Stace also stated that c. 15 additional Linaria species are grown in British gardens, and occasionally occur as casuals in the wild.

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The seven alien adventives are listed here in alphabetical order, together with some brief information on life-cycle, and native distribution in Continental Europe.

1). Linaria arenaria DC. (Sand Toadflax). A glandular-pubescent, viscid annual, native to W France and NW Spain. Planted at Braunton Burrows coastal dunes in North Devon in c. 1893, and now well established there. Also present in North Somerset since 2004. Neophyte-naturalised.

2). Linaria dalmatica (L.) Mill. (Balkan Toadflax). A perennial species native to SE Europe. Cultivated in Britain, and of scattered occurrence as a garden escape in waste places in England and Scotland. Neophyte-naturalised.

3). Linaria maroccana Hook. f. (Annual Toadflax). A frequently cultivated annual in Britain, and of scattered and fleeting occurrence as an adventive in waste places in mainland Britain, the Isle of Man, and in the Channel Islands. Neophyte-casual.

4). Linaria pelisseriana (L.) Mill. (Jersey Toadflax). An annual, native to the Mediterranean and W Europe. Very rare and of sporadic occurrence in Jersey, where it was last seen in 1955. Neophyte-casual.

5). Linaria purpurea (L.) Mill. (Purple Toadflax). A tufted, perennial species, that is endemic to C and S Italy and Sicily. Widely naturalised on walls and in waste sites throughout Britain. Neophyte-naturalised.

6). Linaria repens (L.) Mill. (Pale Toadflax). A shortly-rhizomatous perennial, that is endemic to mainland Europe, where it occurs from N Spain and NW Italy to NW Germany. Widely naturalised in NW and C Europe. Widespread and long-established in Britain as an archaeophyte-denizen.

7). Linaria supina (L.) Chaz. (Prostrate Toadflax). An annual species, native to SW Europe, extending eastwards to N Italy. On sandy and waste ground in E & W Cornwall, S Devon and Carmarthenshire. Neophyte-naturalised.

Linaria interspecific hybrids in the British flora The British Linaria flora is augmented with two, widespread, extant, interspecific hybrids, namely: (1) Linaria x sepium G.J. Allman (= L. repens x L. vulgaris and its reciprocal); and (2) Linaria x dominii Druce (= L. purpurea x L. repens and its reciprocal).

Linaria x sepium: Stace (2015, 2019) commented that L. x sepium is fertile and often forms hybrid swarms: he also added that “The corolla is most often pale yellow with violet veins, and intermediate in size and shape, but in hybrid swarms, plants close to either parent may occur.” Indeed, L. x sepium was the first recorded European Linaria hybrid (originally described from Ireland: see later notes), and it is now known to be the most frequent hybrid of this genus in Britain and throughout Europe (Chater et al., 1972).

Linaria x dominii: Stace (2019: 630) commented that L. x dominii “… is intermediate in corolla characters [between its parents] and fertile, sometimes segregating to give hybrid swarms.”

Native and alien Linaria species and interspecific hybrids in the Irish flora The genus Linaria is represented in the Irish flora by just 3 species: L. vulgaris (Common Toadflax), L. repens (Pale Toadflax) and L. purpurea (Purple Toadflax), of which only Linaria vulgaris has a claim to indigenous status (see notes below). The other two species are European mainland endemics, and thus undoubted aliens in Ireland and Britain. L. PAGE 18

repens has a long tenure of ‘establishment’ in Ireland, dating back to the final years of the 1700s at least, while the widespread dissemination of L. purpurea happened much later in time and, consequently, was not included in Irish Topographical Botany (Praeger, 1901).

Moreover, the interspecific hybrid between L. repens and L. vulgaris (i.e., Linaria x sepium) was added to the Irish (and world) flora from West Cork (H3) in 1842 – this find being new to science (see data below).

Linaria vulgaris (Common Toadflax) in the Irish flora With its combination of glaucous, linear leaves and conspicuous inflorescences of large, lemon-yellow flowers with an orange palate, the perennial, rhizomatous, Linaria vulgaris (Common Toadflax) is a strikingly beautiful species (O’Mahony, 2009), and a wonderful adornment to the British and Irish countryside. Moreover, as noted above, it is the only species of the genus Linaria that has any claim to indigenous status on the island of Ireland.

However, the evidence for native Irish status is equivocal: consequently, its true status remains controversial and uncertain. Yet, it frequents the same marginal, ruderal habitats (i.e. arable field-margins, railway clinker, hedgebanks and waste ground etc.) that it occupies in Britain, in which country it has always been treated as a native species. Power (1845: 46), commented on its occurrence about Cork City (H4-H5) as follows: “It is curious that this plant is found … wherever the ground has been deeply cut, as in making new roads, quarrying, &c.” While L. vulgaris has the capacity to form extensive populations (given its rhizomatous spread, which should enable it to form long term, stable populations) yet, paradoxically, and for reasons unknown, it proves transient in many of its Irish sites, and some populations are presumed to be naturalised garden-escapes. L. vulgaris is widespread and generally common over much of Britain, while in stark contrast, it is of rare occurrence in Ireland, displaying a very patchy/localised distribution. Commenting on this odd distribution pattern, Moore & More (1866) stated: “Rare or wanting in many parts of the west of Ireland, and more frequent near the coast then elsewhere.” In Irish Topographical Botany, Praeger (1901) commented with regard to L. vulgaris: “Calcifuge, and hardly appears except as an escape, till the limestone is left, when in the south-east and north it becomes frequent, and in the north-east is possibly native. Very rare in the west.” (Note: While Praeger stressed that L. vulgaris behaves as a strict calcifuge on the island of Ireland, yet Preston et al. (2002) note its preference for calcareous soils in Britain!) With regard to the status and frequency of L. vulgaris in NE Ireland, Hackney (1992) commented: “Possibly an alien, but now frequent in NE Ireland.” To some extent, the remarks of Moore & More (1866) (see above), are borne out by its Co. Cork (H3-H5) distribution, where L. vulgaris is, for whatever reason, predominantly a coastal or subcoastal species, its patchy distribution and meta-population spanning an extensive area, ranging from Midleton (East Cork, H5) westwards to Baltimore (West Cork, H3) at least – a distance of approximately 100 km aerially. As far as I can ascertain, L. vulgaris has no far-inland County Cork locations. In 1970, I noted this species as occurring frequently along a c. 9 km section of the Inniscarra - Dripsey road (R618) (H4, W5.7.), bordering the northern margin of the River Lee Reservoir, it still being extant here in 2024. Yet this population (for whatever reason) has greatly diminished in frequency and contracted in range in this area, over the past three decades, despite being self-compatible and producing fruit capsules containing PAGE 19

numerous, winged (and thus potentially wind-borne) seeds, that should enable it to reclaim its lost territory.

Linaria repens in the Irish flora As stated previously, L. repens (Plates 7 & 10) is an undoubted alien species in Britain and Ireland, though of long occurrence, and of widespread distribution, in both islands. While Stace (2019) designated its British status as archaeophyte-denizen (i.e. present in Britain prior to 1500 AD), it must be regarded as of neophyte status in Ireland, for as far as I am aware, the earliest Irish records for this species (i.e. the River Bandon, West Cork) date from 1805 (Mackay, 1806), therefore this species was most likely established in this and adjacent sites before the end of the 18th century. The two, longest-established Irish populations of Linaria repens came from (1) The River Bandon, West Cork (H3), in SW Ireland; and (2) from the Killowen coastal area of Co. Down (H38) in NE Ireland, in which latter location it was first found in 1884 by Lloyd Praeger, and was still extant there in 1987 (Hackney, 1992).

However, the West Cork River Bandon site for L. repens, is the oldest and most extensive ever recorded in Ireland, stretching over 30 km, from west of Ballineen village (H3, W34.54.) (Drummond, 1810-1820), eastwards to Inishannon Bridge (H3, W54.57.) and thence southeast along the tidal stretch of the River Bandon, as far as Ballinadee village (H3, W57.51.), during the time period, 1805-1891, at least (Mackay, 1806; Drummond, 1810-1820; Moore & More, 1866; Allin, 1883; Colgan & Scully, 1898). Sadly, most of these populations seem to have become extinct in the long interim period up to the present (2024), though I rediscovered a small riverbank population at Ballinadee in 1975 (which may still be extant), while Maura Scannell updated the Murragh Bridge (H3, W38.54.) record, near Enniskean village, in 1987.

Linaria x sepium G.J Allman in the Irish flora Linaria x sepium (= L. repens x L. vulgaris and its reciprocal) was added new to science from hedges bordering the right bank of the River Bandon between Innishannon village and Bandon town, West Cork (H3, W5.5.) in 1842. The finder was George James Allman, who was convinced it represented a new European species, and whose published paper incorporated a formal Latin description to this effect (Allman, 1843). Most surprisingly, although Allman was aware of the cohabitation of both L. repens and L. vulgaris in the same area as his ‘new’ species, and had compared his taxon with these two species, it seems it never occurred to him that the plant he had found, in fact represented their (fertile) interspecific hybrid. The following (brief) English translation, represents the essence of the diagnostic characters included in his formal Latin description, which (as noted above) he believed confirmed this taxon’s status as a new European Linaria species: Rootstock: creeping (rhizomatous); stem: upright, its leaves subglaucous and linear-lanceolate; inflorescence: paniculate, the branches suberect, the flowers sweetly scented [!] corolla: lower lip yellow, with pale-purple stripes; spur: long, incurved, greyish, with pale-purple stripes; seeds: black, trigonous, with very narrowly winged angles. (Note: Additional data (in English) appended after the formal Latin description, read as follows: “It differs from L. repens in its longer spur, larger corolla, and lower lip PAGE 20

yellow-coloured. It differs from L. vulgaris in the presence of violet/purple stripes on the corolla, and by having trigonous seeds. Flowering period: June to August.”)

In Cybele Hibernica 1 (Moore & More, 1866), the authors’, when referring to ‘L. sepium’, commented: “This is probably a hybrid between L. repens and L. vulgaris.” R.A. Phillips reported the hybrid as “plentiful here” [i.e. in its River Bandon site] in 1891 (Colgan & Scully, 1898). (Note: It seems this hybrid also occurred (in addition to both its parents) along the nearby (now long defunct) Bandon Railway Line, which followed the contours of the River Bandon between Inishannon Bridge and Bandon town (H3, W5.5.), and which was operative during the time period when Phillips visited the Linaria x sepium site.) A 2nd important Irish location for L. x sepium and its cohabiting parental species, occurred at Killowen, Co. Down (H38), during the time period, 1907-1937, but was not subsequently reported from this site (Hackney, 1992).

Linaria x dominii (= L. repens x L. purpurea and its reciprocal) as a spontaneous hybrid in an East Cork (H5) garden In the course of routine botanical survey work on the north side of Cork City in August 2003, a checking of old roadside walls bordering Alexandra Road (H5, W68.72.), close to St Luke’s Crossroads, unexpectedly produced a small, naturalised population of Linaria repens (Plates 7 & 10). At the time of discovery, I observed that very few, if any, capsules had matured, suggesting self-incompatibility: consequently, I collected a small portion of rhizome for cultivation at home, as a conservation stock. Over a period of some five or more years, this state of capsule-sterility continued in L. repens. However, 1-2 years after introducing L. purpurea to my garden (a population that proved to be self-compatible and thus fully fruit-/seed-fertile), a range of colour-variants (Plates 8-10) began to manifest throughout the garden – the first indication that interspecific hybrids between L. repens and L. purpurea were present. This revelation prompted and initiated a morphological comparison of both species and their putative hybrid, in the hope of obtaining adequate proof of my hypothesis. These macroscopic and microscopic studies were subsequently augmented with close-up photographs of the inflorescences of all 3 taxa, of which one closeup of an L. repens inflorescence (the flowers clearly displaying many of its critical morphological delimitation features), was later reproduced in my book, Wildflowers of Cork City and County (O’Mahony, 2009). On reflection, I should have realised that the constant visits of bees and hoverflies to (and between) both species, would inevitably lead to the production of F1 hybrid progeny, and possibly lead on to the production of segregating F2 populations – which is exactly what happened. Moreover, all hybrid derivatives proved variably, often highly, fruit-/seed-fertile. (Note: Stace (2015) has reviewed the European literature on the presence of self-compatibility /self-incompatibility in populations of L. repens, L. purpurea and L. vulgaris, which reveal a range of contradictory findings!) In essence, however, it seems very likely that both mechanisms are in operation in differing wild populations of these 3 perennial species – as was the case in my own garden, where the self-sterile L. repens was particularly vulnerable to cross-pollination/-fertilisation from the self-fertile L. purpurea. All Co. Cork (H3-H5) populations of Linaria vulgaris that I have recorded over five decades, have proved fully fruit-/seed-fertile, though selfincompatible (fruit-sterile) populations of this species are reported in the general botanical literature.)

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In the event, most of my garden plants of Linaria x dominii proved much closer in visual appearance to their L. purpurea parent (Plate 10) (e.g. in flower colour, leaf-width (6-7 mm) much stouter stem diameter, and tufted rootstock,) suggesting preferential insect pollination between L. purpurea and its F1 hybrid offspring. Nevertheless, the derivative, putative F2 hybrid segregants exhibited some deviating morphological features relative to its L. purpurea parent, such as being taller (c. 120-150 cm high versus 30-90 cm) and displaying very long, lax, elegant inflorescences, in contrast to the much shorter, compact inflorescences typical of L. purpurea. However, a proportion of the hybrids (Plates 8 & 9) clearly displayed some characteristic corolla features inherited from their L. repens parent, such as a milk-white ground colour on the 3 lobes of the lower lip, contrasting with conspicuous violet-venation; the vertical, parallel veins on the 2 lobes of the upper lip, often forming elongate, oblong loops, that are occasionally topped with an arch of small, cubic loops, resembling a fanlight (e.g. Plates 7-10). However, the tuft of yellow/yellowishorange hairs present on the boss of the lower lip in L. repens, was absent in all forms of L. x dominii, the corresponding tuft of hairs being purple or white, as in L. purpurea (Plate 10). Additionally, Plates 8 & 9 display the short, shallowly arcuate, blunt-apexed flowerspurs characteristic of L. repens, not the longer, strongly arcuate or hooked-incurved flower-spurs as found in L. purpurea (Plate 10).

Most unexpectedly, over the years of observation of this hybrid swarm, the only evidence of the reciprocal hybrid (i.e. plants exhibiting gene-flow from L. purpurea into L. repens) came from just a few plants. These latter resembled L. repens in their low stature, thin stems, narrow leaves and creeping (i.e. shortly rhizomatous) rootstock, and bore compact inflorescences (an L. purpurea character), but with L. repens-like flowers, in which the characteristic tuft of yellow hairs on the boss of the lower lip was replaced with the purplish hairs of its L. purpurea parent. Stace (1982), in a paper entitled: ‘Segregation in the natural hybrid Linaria purpurea (L.) Mill. x L. repens (L.) Mill.,’ drew attention to an anomalous British population of L repens, in which the flower colour was much darker than in typical plants, suggesting introgression (through gene flow) from nearby plants of L. purpurea. Yet he was unable to confirm this possibility, which suggests that the morphological characters traditionally used to delimit these two species, are too few in number, and often inadequate for the task of separating both species from their hybrid swarms! My own (as yet limited) microscopic observations of the floral characters of this species-pair, suggest that at least one additional morphological character may prove useful in the situation outlined above. It concerns the two longer stamens in each species, in which the filament-apex of both is dilated, but differ in the following respects: L. repens: stamen-filament apex broader than the width of its anther-loculus, and c. 0.5-0.64 (- 0.85) mm. in diameter.

L. purpurea: stamen-filament apex as broad as, or slightly shorter than, the width of its anther-loculus, and c. 0.35-0.44 (- 0.5) mm in diameter.

References Allin, T. (1883). The flowering plants and ferns of the County Cork. J. Marche, Weston-super-Mare.

Allman, G.J. (1843). On Linaria sepium Allman. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 11: 404-406.

Colgan, N. & Scully, R.W. (1898). Contributions towards a Cybele Hibernica. 2nd edition. Edward Ponsonby, Dublin.

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Chater, A.O., Valdés, B. & Webb, D.A. (1972). Linaria Mill. In: Tutin, T.G., Heywood, V.H., Burges, N.A., Moore, D.M., Valentine, D.H., Walters, S.M. & Webb, D.A. (eds.) Flora Europaea 3. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 226-236.

Davis, P.H., Mill, R.R. & Tan, K. (1988). Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands 10. Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, pp. 191-193.

Drummond, J. (1810-1820). Native plants in County of Cork. Munster Farmer’s Magazine VI: 220.

Ferguson, I.K. (1972). Verbascum L. In: Heywood, V.H., Tutin, G.T., Burges, N.A., Moore, D.M., Valentine, D.H., Walters, S.M. & Webb, D.A. (eds.) Flora Europaea 3. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 205-216.

Hackney, P. (ed.) (1992). Stewart and Corry’s Flora of the North-East of Ireland: Vascular Plant and Charophyte Sections. 3rd. edition. The Institute of Irish Studies, Oueen’s University, Belfast.

Heywood, V.H. (1993). Flowering plants of the world. Oxford University Press, New York.

Huber-Morath, A. (1978). Verbascum L. In: Davis, P.H. (ed.) Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands 6.

Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, pp. 461-603.

Huber-Morath, A. (1981). Verbascum L. In: Reichinger, K.H. (ed.) Flora Iranica 147. Graz: Akademische Druck u. Verlagsanstalt, pp. 5-50.

Hutchinson, J. (1945). Common Wild Flowers. Penguin Books, Harmondsworth, Middlesex, England.

Mackay, J.T. (1806). A systematic catalogue of rare plants found in Ireland. Transactions of the Dublin Society V: 121-184.

McClintock, D. & Fitter, R.S.R. (1965). The Pocket Guide to Wild Flowers. 5th Impression. Collins, St Jame’s Place, London.

Moore, D. & More, A.G. (1866). Contributions towards a Cybele Hibernica. Hodges, Smith & Co., Dublin.

O’Mahony, T. (2009). Wildflowers of Cork City and County. The Collins Press, Cork.

Power, T. (1845). The botanist’s guide to the county of Cork. In: Harvey, J.R, Humphreys, J.D. & Power, T. (eds.)

Contributions towards a Fauna and Flora of the County Cork. Cork Cuvierian Society. Jon Van Voorst, London; George Purcell & Co., Cork.

Praeger, R.L. (1901). Irish Topographical Botany. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, 3rd. series 7: vclxxxviii, 1-410.

Preston, C.D., Pearman, D.A. & Dines, T.D. (eds.) (2002). New Atlas of the British & Irish Flora. Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Reynolds, S.C.P. (2002). A catalogue of alien plants in Ireland. National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin.

Sharifnia, F. (2007). Notes on the distribution and taxonomy of Verbascum in Iran. Iranian Journal of Botany 31: 30-32.

Stace, C.A. (1982). Segregation in the natural hybrid Linaria purpurea (L.) Mills. x L. repens (L.) Mill. Watsonia 14: 53-57.

Stace, C.A. (2019). New Flora of the British Isles. 4th edition. C & M Floristics, Suffolk.

Stace, C.A., Preston, C.D. & Pearman, D.A. (eds. & comp.) (2015). Hybrid Flora of the British Isles. Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland, Bristol.

Warburg, E.F. (1962). Linaria Mill. In: Clapham, A.R., Tutin, T.G. & Warburg, E.F. (eds.) Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 678-680.

Warburg, E.F. (1962). Verbascum L. In: Clapham, A.R., Tutin, T.G. & Warburg, E.F. (eds.) Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 673-676.

Zohary, M. (1973). Geobotanical foundations of the Middle East 2. Gustav Fischer, Stuttgart, pp. 673-676.

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Antrim’s Rare Plants – Part 5 David McNeill, Greystown Park, Belfast, Co. Antrim Email: dw.mcneill13@gmail.com It is time to wrap up my series on the rare plants of County Antrim (H39). In Part 1 of the series, 41 species which hadn’t been seen since 2000 were listed, of which 13 have not been PAGE 23

seen since 1950 and are now presumed extinct. Subsequently, I was informed of a more recent sighting of Brachypodium pinnatum (Heath False-brome) at Garron Tower and I am now pleased to report that 4 further species have been seen recently. Thus, in addition to the 13 extinct species, I now calculate that there are 23 other species which have no post2000 records in the county.

It is significant that of the 4 recent species rediscoveries, only one was made by me. Scleranthus annuus (Annual Knawel) had not been seen since 1970, but was found at 6 different localities on Rathlin Island in 2023 by Shane Farrell, Ric Else and Hazel Watson.

The only previous record for the island was by S.A. Stewart prior to 1888. Cerastium arvense (Field Mouse-ear), not seen since 1987, was refound by me on a marram bank at Royal Portrush golf links in 2023. I was convinced that it was just Stellaria holostea (Greater Stitchwort) until I looked closely.

Shane Farrell also spotted Lamium confertum (Northern Dead-nettle) on recently disturbed ground between Portrush and Portballintrae in 2023. The last record for this species in the county was made in 1992. Finally, Matthew Flood informed me of the rediscovery of Thalictrum flavum (Common Meadow-rue) in 2024 at Montiaghs Moss. I was able to visit the site and found a few more plants nearby. The last record for the county dated back to 1999 and the last record for this site back to 1988.

Part 2 of the series looked at the rarer plants of mountains and glens, Part 3 at those of the coast, and Part 4 at the rarities of loughs, rivers and wetland. In Part 5, the rare plants of some remaining habitats will be discussed.

Two species are found in single woodland sites. Adoxa moschatellina (Moschatel) occurs in a patch of only a few square metres on the slopes of Cave Hill. Known from this area since before 1863, it was seen as recently as 2024. This is the only potentially native site for the plant in Ireland. Hypopitys monotropa (Yellow Bird’s-nest) is confined to Straidkilly Wood near Glenarm and was last recorded in 2011.

Much of the grassland of the county is sacrificed to intensive agriculture.

Nevertheless, some interesting grassland species can be found in protected sites and by roadsides. Geranium pratense (Meadow Cranesbill) and Geranium sylvaticum (Wood Cranesbill) have their only native Irish sites in County Antrim. G. pratense is plentiful on coastal grassland at Whitepark Bay and neighbouring Ballintoy Harbour, whilst G. sylvaticum survives on roadsides and a small nature reserve at Feystown near Glenarm.

Sanguisorba officinalis (Great Burnet) is now only known from a single small field just north of Carnlough, where it is at great risk of extermination due to heavy grazing. Tiny shoots of the plant were photographed by Matthew Flood in 2024. Agrimonia procera (Fragrant Agrimony) is abundant at Whitepark Bay but the only other post-2000 records are from roadsides above Carnlough in 2022 and 2023 and from Shane’s Castle near Antrim in 2009.

Vicia orobus (Wood Bitter-vetch) was formerly known from a cluster of sites between Larne and Ballyclare but now appears to have retreated to two very short stretches of roadside bank at Ballyboley where it could be vulnerable to hedge-cutting. This is the only population in the province of Ulster. Silene vulgaris (Bladder Campion) was seen in 2016 on a roadside bank at Fortwilliam just north of Belfast but there are no other post2000 records.

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Intriguing records of Trifolium striatum (Knotted Clover) were made in 1993 and 2000 from the Whitehouse area beside Belfast Lough. Although I haven’t seen this plant, it was previously recorded from Carrickfergus in 1811 and Whitehead in 1902. The Brachypodium pinnatum (Heath False-Brome) population at Garron Tower, mentioned earlier, and which I visited in 2023, may yet possibly prove to be Brachypodium rupestre (Tor-grass). It is the subject of further study, with the added intrigue that R.L Praeger noted possible hybrids with Brachypodium sylvaticum (False Brome) from this site in 1936.

Chalk outcrops at Greenanmore near Torr Head support the last populations of Draba incana (Hoary Whitlowgrass) and Arabis hirsuta (Hairy Rock-cress) in the county.

Both species were seen there in 2014. Another species now confined to a single chalk/basalt outcrop is Lithospermum officinale (Common Gromwell) which was seen in the old quarry on Cave Hill in 2020.

An exciting recent discovery is the occurrence of Neotinea maculata (Denseflowered Orchid) on basalt cliffs at Garron Point. Roughly 120 km from both the populations in Fermanagh and the former population on the Isle of Man, the first Antrim record was made by Tim Rich and David McCosh in 2008 on a chalk outcrop on Tower Road. A few flowering spikes were seen in 2023 on basalt cliffs about one kilometre to the west, and James and Donna Rainey found over 100 flowering spikes in 2024 on basalt cliffs a further kilometre to the west.

Andromeda polifolia (Bog Rosemary) continues to thrive at its single county site at Sharvogue’s Bog between Ballymena and Randalstown where it was first recorded in 1916. There is, however, a grave risk that this bog will suffer the same fate as so many other lowland bogs in the county which have been destroyed by commercial peat extraction.

Rhamnus cathartica (Buckthorn) was seen by the shores of Lough Beg several times between 2010 and 2017. The only other recent sighting was of a single tree at Lignaboy Point on Lough Neagh in 2011. Lysimachia minima (Chaffweed) was seen beside Lough Beg in 2010 and was refound by Ric Else and Hazel Watson in its old Ushet Lough station on Rathlin Island in 2023. However, Ric and Hazel are now also finding it in numerous other locations on Rathlin. In contrast, there have been no sightings at Bushfoot since 1995.

A Chara specimen collected by Ric and Hazel from a small lough on Rathlin in 2022 has turned out to be exceptionally interesting. We were privileged that Cilian Roden came to Rathlin in 2023 to see for himself. Cilian has been in close communication with European charophyte experts and the conclusion is that the Rathlin plant is Chara affinis (formerly Chara baltica var. affinis). This is a first record for Ireland with the only British sites being on the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall.

Rare plants of waysides and waste ground include Aethusa cynapium (Fool’s Parsley) which has only two post-2000 records from Cullybackey in 2002 and a maize field on Islandmagee in 2007. There are numerous older records, particularly from Belfast and Carrickfergus. Anthriscus caucalis (Bur Chervil) is apparently confined to a small island in Larne Lough where it was last seen in 2005. It has not been recorded from its former site at Curran Point in Larne since 1890.

The most recent record for Galeopsis speciosa (Large-flowered Hemp-nettle) was from the Lough Neagh shore near Toomebridge in 2003, with sites near Dervock and Rasharkin dating back to the 1990s. Suzanne Belshaw recorded Lamium amplexicaule PAGE 25

(Henbit Dead-nettle) from a site in Lisburn in 2020. This species has only ever been seen a handful of times in the county. Suzanne has also come across Orobanche minor (Common Broomrape) in Lisburn (2022) and Belfast (2019). The host plant in Lisburn appears to be Brachyglottis x jubar (Shrub Ragwort), whilst in Belfast the host plant is believed to be Ervilia hirsuta (Hairy Tare).

Equisetum variegatum (Variegated Horsetail) was last seen in 2010 by John Harron on Trostan Mountain. There is a 1988 record of the same species from the Carey River near Ballycastle. The sporophyte of Trichomanes speciosum (Killarney Fern) still occurs in very stunted form near Cushendun (2016), whilst the gametophyte form has been found both at Murlough Bay and in Glenariff since 2010.

Orobanche hederae (Ivy Broomrape) has a well-documented site near Garron Harbour, where it was last recorded in 2008, but I also found this species in a municipal flower-bed in Belfast in 2017. Sorbus hibernica (Irish Whitebeam) occurs in one spot beside the coast road north of Carnlough and may still survive elsewhere around Garron Point.

However, it is difficult to separate from Sorbus rupicola (Rock Whitebeam) and Sorbus aria (Common Whitebeam) due to the rugged nature of the cliffs on which these whitebeams grow.

Finally, I am able to report some significant updates for species which were discussed in parts 2-4 of this series. I rediscovered a tiny patch of Diphasiastrum alpinum (Alpine Clubmoss) in 2022 on Little Trosk above Carnlough. On the same day I also saw a single plant of Cryptogramma crispa (Parsley Fern) on the northern slopes of Big Trosk.

Both species were last reported from these sites by A.W. Stelfox in 1949.

Even more remarkable is the discovery in 2024 of a completely new site for Dryas octopetala (Mountain Avens). This beautiful little shrub has long been known only from Knockdhu, almost 20 km distant. However, James and Donna Rainey found 4 discrete patches of the plant along a short stretch of very steep cliffs at Garron Point. They brought me back a few days later. Not only can I confirm the record, but I can also confirm that those cliffs are very steep indeed.

A second modern site for Pseudorchis albida (Small-white Orchid) has been discovered by volunteers from the Belfast Hills Partnership. I visited the new site beside Crow Glen in 2024 and counted 14 flowering spikes. Simeon Cathcart found a new site for Lycopsis arvensis (Bugloss) on a disturbed field-bank on Rathlin Island in 2023.

Phegopteris connectilis (Beech Fern) has finally been refound in John Harron’s old site in Glendun. I saw a compact colony of this fern beside Beaghs Burn in 2023.

Another old John Harron record for Milium effusum (Wood Millet) at Buckna was updated in 2024, although I only saw a single flowering stem.

It is pleasing to see how many people have been contributing significant botanical records for the county in the past few years. Thank you all for sharing your discoveries. I hope that our combined efforts will ensure that Antrim’s rare species are cherished and protected into the future.

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Some notable records by John Harron (1944 – 2020) in Cooley, Co. Louth (H31) Ciarán Flynn, Castlecarragh, Riverstown, Dundalk, Co. Louth Email: ciaranflynn02@gmail.com Introduction Hailing from Helen’s Bay, Co. Down (H38), the late John Harron botanised extensively in the north-east of Ireland. He supplied a large number of records for several projects including the Flora of North-east Ireland (Hackney, 1992), New Atlas of the British & Irish Flora (Preston et al., 2002), and Plant Atlas 2020 (Stroh et al., 2023). Perhaps his greatest achievement was the production of a Flora of Lough Neagh (Harron, 1986), a botanical baseline from the 1980s of Britain and Ireland’s largest lake. Through his extensive recording efforts sustained over many years, Harron has left a lasting legacy on field botany in Ireland (McNeill, D., 2021).

Fortunately, he also spent a considerable amount of time in Co. Louth (H31) and generated a wealth of useful data there. A box of Harron’s records from that county was passed on to me in 2023. These consist of record cards (field cards) within presentation folders sorted by geography. All of these pertain to Cooley, with a minority from areas north-west of Dundalk. Dates and locations of visits elsewhere in the county include the River Glyde at Tallanstown and the River Fane below Inniskeen. In the field, Harron always recorded in a notebook. These notes were subsequently transferred to record cards and distributed to the relevant vice-county recorder(s), either by Harron around 2019 or by others posthumously (McNeill, D., 2021; D. McNeill, pers. comm., March 2025). It is possible that other Louth records have not been extracted from his notebooks, including those from Tallanstown. If so, extracting these would be an interesting and fruitful exercise.

Although they only cover a small area, Harron’s Cooley records are a mine of information. His assiduously organised species lists, photographs, and maps are accompanied by such useful details as pH, associated taxa, and population sizes. With records spanning from c.1972 to 2015, he accumulated an impressive tally of exciting finds.

His most outstanding discovery was Omalotheca sylvatica (Heath Cudweed) in 2008, previously reported from the county by R.L. Praeger in 1900 (Praeger, 1901). Another highlight is the re-discovery of Rubus saxatilis (Stone Bramble), last recorded on Carlingford Mountain by S.A. Stewart in 1897 (Synnott, undated). Harron was known to enjoy river valleys (McNeill, I., 2021), and this is reflected in his Louth fieldwork. Such ‘riverside’ walks were quite successful, yielding several populations of Equisetum hyemale (Rough Horsetail) and the locally rare Scirpus sylvaticus (Wood Club-rush).

To date, Harron’s Louth records remain largely unpublished. Some records from the 1970s are reported in the Irish Naturalists’ Journal (Harron, 1974; McClintock et al., 1974; Synnott, 1979) although his subsequent visits to these sites remain undescribed. The BSBI Distribution Database (DDb) contains around twenty Harron records for the county (BSBI, 2024), a tiny fraction of his total. Extracting all of the data from his record cards would be an invaluable yet laborious task. As an initial step, I have compiled a list of what I deem are his most important and/or insightful records. Other Louth records are included PAGE 27

to highlight the status of each species in the county. The list is preceded by several examples of what can be gleaned from Harron’s records.

Assessing changes in the flora of Cooley Harron’s repeated visits to botanically important sites and the extra data he gathered enhances the value of his records. These span a period of c.40 years and are particularly useful for analysing changes in the flora of Cooley. In 1990, Harron noted grazing at a fen hosting Ophioglossum vulgatum (Adder’s-tongue) and Coeloglossum viride (Dactylorhiza viridis) (Frog Orchid). Neither have been recorded there since. Grazing continues in parts of this fen (R. Hodd, pers. comm., March 2025) although the area Harron seemingly refers to is currently ungrazed. The cessation of grazing may have had a deleterious effect here.

Alternatively, these inconspicuous plants may simply have been overlooked. Similarly, the damaging effects of land use intensification are clear along the Castletown River near Gyles Quay. Harron encountered Ervilia sylvatica (Wood Vetch) growing along the wooded margins of the river in several locations during 1972. However, the habitat has since ‘changed considerably – torn about by machinery and converted into pasture’ (Harron, undated). Fortunately, Wood Vetch has been re-found there by Shane Farrell in 2019 despite the losses inflicted on these populations since the 1970s.

In a similar vein, one can analyse botanical changes in terms of species rather than sites. In the uplands, the clubmosses Lycopodium clavatum (Stag’s-horn Clubmoss) and Diphasiastrum alpinum (Alpine Clubmoss) appear to have declined on the Cooley Mountains. The latter species has declined significantly on Black Mountain, Cooley since it was first discovered in 1973 (McClintock et al. 1974). Harron remarked how it was ‘only a faded shadow of its original population’ in 2014 (Harron, undated). Stag’s-horn Clubmoss also seems to have been lost from this site whilst a second Alpine Clubmoss population nearby has disappeared. In the lowlands, four sites for Scirpus sylvaticus were discovered

by Harron. Two of these have since been eliminated with another threatened by drainage works. In contrast, Harron found many new stations for several species, indicating underrecording in the area. These include Equisetum hyemale, Carex laevigata (Smooth-stalked Sedge) and Eleogiton fluitans (Floating Club-rush).

Drainage, conversion to pasture and inappropriate grazing levels are well-known drivers of plant losses nationally (Faulkner, 2023), and it is no surprise that they prevail in Cooley. It is imperative that such losses are identified to prevent further damage to important sites. Crucially, Harron’s records provide clear examples of recent floristic changes locally. His records further comprise a baseline against which future changes can be measured. Whilst projects such as Plant Atlas 2020 (Stroh et al., 2023) can analyse and quantify changes, these trends are detected at a 10 km scale which masks local losses. In the absence of a published Flora for Co. Louth, Harron’s records can help fill the lacunae in our knowledge. In addition to permitting site-specific analyses of recent changes, his records have the potential to inform an inventory of botanically significant sites. By including data additional to species lists such as land management and population sizes, his records could underpin a more rigorous analysis of botanically significant sites in Cooley.

Notes on the list of selected species PAGE 28

The overarching aim of this work is to publish some of Harron’s notable records from Cooley. Hence, this is not a comprehensive checklist, and a thorough literature search has yet to be conducted.

Species selection followed loose criteria. Included are examples of under-recorded species, regionally rare species, threatened and near-threatened taxa (Wyse Jackson et al., 2016), and species which highlight a site’s conservation value.

All of Harron’s available records have been compiled for each species. To place these in context, other Co. Louth records have been included. Sources consulted include the DDb (BSBI, 2024), the second edition of Cybele Hibernica (Colgan & Scully, 1898), Irish Topographical Botany (Praeger, 1901) and the unpublished manuscript Flora of Louth (Synnott, undated). The latter, compiled by Donal Synnott c.1980, comprises a checklist with records for 18 districts. These correspond to the hectads located within the county.

Many original records by Synnott are included here as well as historical records. A small number of pages are missing from a scanned copy of the Flora of Louth available to me.

However, the vast majority of species in the present article have an entry in this scanned copy. Other sources searched for a subset of taxa include the Irish Naturalists’ Journal and Lady Kane’s An Irish Flora (Baily, 1833). Record cards completed towards the New Atlas of the British & Irish Flora (Preston et al., 2002) supplement and clarify the information logged on the DDb (BSBI, 2024). For instance, they provide the precise year of individual records whereas the period 1987-1999 is listed on the DDb instead. In several cases, they have also shown that the incorrect recorder is attributed in the DDb. Only the salient details from Harron’s comments are presented here. Moreover, Harron’s comments often imply the presence of other recorders although names are not normally supplied on the record cards. Hence, I have had to attribute these records to Harron only. Comments by CF are denoted by []. Records made by Donal Synnott contained within the Flora of Louth manuscript (Synnott, undated) are denoted by DS-ms. These are typically undated. Other records in the manuscript are cited ‘per DS-ms’.

Irish grid references are supplied to a maximum of 100 m resolution. Locality names are those provided by the recorder. Several names are often applied to the same site.

In particular, an area of fen near Greenore is referred to as ‘Greenore’, ‘Millgrange fen’, ‘Grange fen’ and ‘fen E of Rampart, Greenore’. The river east of Gyles Quay is known as the ‘Castletown River’ which, confusingly, is also the name of the river at Dundalk. Harron refers to it as the ‘Castletowncooley River’ or ‘Piedmont River’. ‘Clermont Cairn’ and ‘Black Mountain’ are synonyms for a north-western section of the Cooley Mountains.

Where there is any doubt, checking the grid reference should help dispel confusion.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) categories of threat status as given by Wyse Jackson et al. (2016) are applied here (EN, VU, NT). The relevant Flora (Protection) Order (FPO) is cited for scheduled species. Similarly, Schedule 8 (Sch.8) of The Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 is also denoted where relevant.

Although this legislation does not apply in Co. Louth, this designation reflects the rarity of a species regionally. For instance, the Sch.8 orchid Epipactis palustris (Marsh Helleborine) is widespread in the midlands and west of Ireland yet is very rare in the north and northeast.

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Nomenclature and sequence follow Stace (2019) for vascular plants and Blockeel et al. (2021) for bryophytes. Notes on species distributions and trends were taken from Stroh et al. (2023).

Recorder abbreviations: BM: Brian Madden; BMcS: Brendan McSherry; BNFC: Belfast Naturalists’ Field Club; CB: Cliona Byrne; CBL: Cecil Butler; CF: Ciarán Flynn; CHW: Rev. Coslett Herbert Waddell; CP: Caroline Pannell; DD: Declan Doogue; DMcC: David McClintock; DN: David Nash; DNFC: Dublin Naturalists’ Field Club; DS: Donal Synnott; EF: Enda Flynn; FHWK: Rev Frederick Hugh Woodhams Kerr; HCH: Henry Chicester Hart; HGT: Henry Godfrey Tempest; HN: Hannah Northridge; JF: John Faulkner; JFH: Jim Fitzharris; JH: John Harron; JR: Jennifer Roche; JW: John White; KH: Kate Harrington; LGF: Louisa Grace Fortescue (Lady Clermont); MC: Maria Chiara; ME: Maurice Eakin; ML: Melinda Lyons; MS: Maura Scannell; NC: Nathaniel Colgan; NPWS: National Parks and Wildlife Service; NS: Nick Stewart; NSUH: National Survey of Upland Habitats; OD: Oonagh Duggan; PP: Philip Perrin; RG: Roger Goodwillie; RLH: Rory L. Hodd; RLP: Robert Lloyd Praeger; RN: Robert Northridge; RS: Miss R. Smith; SAS: Samuel Alexander Stewart; SB: Simon Barron; SF: Shane Farrell; SS: Sharon Spratt; THC: Thomas H. Corry; WEH: William E. Harrison; WFVK: William Francis de Vismes Kane; WJCT: William James Colema Tomlinson; WT: William Thompson.

List of selected species Lycopodium clavatum (NT) (Sch.8) – Stag’s-horn Clubmoss Recent sightings of this clubmoss have been confined to Black Mountain. The streamside banks where it was recorded in 2021 and 2022 were damaged by severe flooding in 2023, and it remains to be seen if the populations have survived this event. Moreover, it has not been found with Diphasiastrum alpinum since JH’s 2014 record. It is unclear why this species has declined in Cooley. However, populations may be somewhat transient (Stroh et al., 2023) and other populations may remain undetected.

JH Cooley records: Clermont Cairn hill, J100157 (1973; WEH, DMcC & JH), abundant, accompanied by plentiful Diphasiastrum alpinum [probably corresponds to the record of Lycopodium clavatum mentioned under D. alpinum in McClintock et al. (1974)]; Black Mountain, J1015 (2014; JH), much rarer than in 1973, growing close to D. alpinum.

Other H31 records: Windy Gap in the Carlingford range (1940; HGT; Praeger, 1946); Tullaghomeath, J11 (DS-ms); J11, (1968; DS) [possibly the same record listed in DS-ms]; east of Clermont Cairn, J106159 (2021; CB, KH, CF & EF; Flynn, 2022); east of Clermont Cairn, J111154 (2022; CF & EF; Flynn, 2022) [some L. clavatum records from Cooley are omitted by Flynn (2022)].

Diphasiastrum alpinum (NT) (Sch.8) – Alpine Clubmoss Diphasiastrum alpinum shares a similar distribution and status with Lycopodium clavatum in Cooley. It remains at one of JH’s sites near Clermont Cairn. It has, however, declined there, and has been lost at another nearby site. The site between Foxes Rock and Raven’s Rock, reported by the National Survey of Upland Habitats, needs to be followed up on.

JH Cooley records: Clermont Cairn hill, J100157 (1973; WEH, DMcC & JH; McClintock et al., 1974), widespread over the higher parts of the mountain; Black Mountain (Clermont Cairn Mountain), J1015, (1973; WEH, DMcC & JH), abundant on eastern slopes of the PAGE 30

highest parts of the mountain [JH failed to re-find it there in 2009 or 2011; the two 1973 records refer to different sites but were treated together by McClintock et al. (1974)]; Black Hill/Clermont Cairn, J1015 (2014; JH) [same population as the J100157 record], much reduced since 1973 with only a few plants noted.

Other H31 records: [Between Foxes Rock and Raven’s Rock], J143136 (2009; NSUH; Roche et al., 2014) [grid reference estimated by CF from map in Roche et al. (2014)]; Black Mountain, J104154 (2019; CB & KH) [still there (2024; CF)] [there is some disagreement between the grid reference supplied with the 1973 record (J100157) and this one (J104154), although a sketch map in JH’s notes indicates that these refer to the same population].

Ophioglossum vulgatum – Adder’s-tongue A declining yet inconspicuous pteridophyte in Ireland. The sole Cooley record is from a fen near Greenore. It has not been reported there since 1990, and the reduction/cessation of grazing may have led to its loss. It may, however, be simply overlooked. JH’s Drumcah Lough record appears to have been previously unknown.

JH Cooley records: Greenore, J218095 (1990; JH).

Other H31 records: Moist meadows along the riverside, Tenure [Tinure] (JW; Wade, 1804); Boyne Obelisk (1896; RLP; Praeger, 1901); Drumcah Lough, H956060 (1989; JH).

Equisetum hyemale – Rough Horsetail Most commonly found in the north of Ireland, Equisetum hyemale has been under-recorded in Co. Louth as evidenced by the several sites found by JH. All recent Louth records are restricted to Cooley. Its upland sites are probably quite secure whereas the Castletown and Kilnasaggart River populations are more vulnerable.

JH Cooley records: Castletowncooley River, J151098 (1988; JH), population c.20 m long spread thinly over boulders; Castletowncooley River, J151100 (1988; JH), three patches including one c.7 m long; Kilnasaggart River, J075110 (1995; JH); above the Cadgers Bridge, J098139 (2007; JH), fragmented linear patch c.9 m long; Kilnasaggart River, J071117 (2007; JH); Carrickrawor on the Clermont Range, J123145 (2009; JH).

Other H31 records: By a stream in the Carlingford Mountains above Omeath (1901; NC – DBN; Colgan, 1902); Castlebellingham Demesne (1906; WFVK – DBN); Ballymakellett, J112116 (2023; CF & EF; Flynn, 2023) [JH’s records are not included in Flynn (2023)]; Tullaghomeath, J121144 (2023; CF & EF).

Equisetum x trachyodon – Mackay’s Horsetail Often found on wooded stream banks, this hybrid horsetail is scattered throughout Ireland.

All of the Co. Louth records are from the Castletown River in Cooley where both parents, Equisetum hyemale and E. variegatum (Variegated Horsetail) have been found. Flooding in 2023 may have damaged its streamside habitat although it is unlikely to have completely removed the population. E. x meridionale (Southern Horsetail) is very similar and was confounded with E. x trachyodon in Britain until recently. The former typically grows in coastal areas including dunes (Jepson et al., 2013). E. x meridionale has not yet been reported from Ireland and is unlikely to occur in Cooley.

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JH Cooley records: Castletowncooley River, J151098 (1988; JH), at least three linear patches found amongst short vegetation; Castletowncooley River, J150102 (2008; JH), 12 m long colony.

Other H31 records: Castletown River below Riverstown, J10 (1977; DS; Synnott, 1979); Glenmore, J152098 (2023; CF).

Equisetum variegatum – Variegated Horsetail Within Ireland, Equisetum variegatum is concentrated in the midlands and NW. There are up to three recorded sites in Cooley although it has only been seen recently at Loughanmore.

Synnott (1970) reports Botrychium lunaria (Moonwort) and E. variegatum from Baltray, both seemingly from 1969. However, an earlier 1966 record in DS-ms suggests that the latter was first found by DS several years earlier. I have not traced the 1955 record by DMcC. It is possible that all records for hectad O17 refer to Baltray.

JH Cooley records: Castletowncooley River, J151100 (1988; JH), linear patch c.4 m long.

Other H31 records: O17 (1955; DMcC); Baltray, (1966; DS-ms); Baltray (1969; DS; Synnott, 1970); Riverstown, J10 (1976; DS – DBN); O17 (1998; DS); J10 (1997; DS); Loughanmore, J1306 (2019; SF).

Hymenophyllum tunbrigense – Tunbridge Filmy-fern RLP found this fern at Ferryhill in 1881 (Praeger, 1893), which remains its only known locality in the county. It occurs within a sheltered, wooded ravine adjacent to a waterfall.

These conditions elevate the humidity sufficiently to permit its growth here. The regionally drier climate of the east of Ireland (compared to western areas) restricts Hymenophyllum tunbrigense to highly localised areas, underscoring the conservation value of this site. These requirements are reflected in its strongly western distribution with few sites on the east coast. RLP also found the humidity-demanding fern Dryopteris aemula (Hay-scented Buckler-fern) either here or in a nearby area in 1893 (Praeger, 1901).

JH Cooley records: Ferryhill ‘Glen’, J11 (1989; JH) [still there (2024; CF)].

Other H31 records: Ferry Hill above Narrow-water (1881 & 1892; RLP; Praeger, 1893); Ferry Hill above Narrow-water (1893; RLP; Praeger, 1901) [this record might have been made during a joint meeting of the BNFC and DNFC in July 1893 (Anon, 1893)]; Ferry Hill (1908; WJCT – BEL); J11 (1939; FHWK); Cornamucklagh [Ferry Hill], J11 (2020; JF, RN & HN).

Cryptogramma crispa (VU) (FPO) (Sch.8) – Parsley Fern There have been many records of this species on Slieve Foye, the earliest seemingly in 1836 (Newman, 1844). Most recent sightings of the fern stretch from the summit NW towards the Eagle’s Rock. Outlying sites include JH’s 1992 and 2009 records. CF & EF also encountered it near The Foxes Rock, J137139 in 2024. This is probably the same population as JH’s 2009 site. It was also collected at Two Mile River on the northern slopes in 1970 (MS – DBN; per DS-ms). Curiously, Brunker (1945) describes a robust colony under a large boulder around 1200 ft (365 m) elevation. He suggests that these plants are similar to larger forms prevalent in Wales and that they are a product of spore dispersal from Snowdonia.

However, recent Floras do not report geographical differences in morphology within Britain and Ireland (Page, 1997; Sell & Murrell, 2018; Stace, 2019). Instead, the robustness may PAGE 32

simply result from environmental plasticity. Nonetheless, it would be interesting to follow up on this site. Parsley Fern has not been reported subsequently from this location although few botanists have searched this part of the mountain. A very rare species in Ireland. Slieve Foye is potentially the only extant Irish station for this fern outside Ulster.

JH Cooley records: Slieve Foye, J163127 (1972; JH), c.1 km NW of the summit; Slieve Foye, J169120 (1972; JH), within a few feet of the summit; Slieve Foye, J169120 (1989; JH); NW ridge of Carlingford Mountain, J144132 (1992; JH); The Foxes Rock, J138139 (2009; JH), eight small plants on a vertical rock face.

Earliest H31 record: Carlingford Mountain (1836; WT; Newman, 1844).

Dryopteris aemula – Hay-scented Buckler-fern Another fern of high humidity habitats with recent sightings confined to Ravensdale. The presence of a suite of oceanic bryophytes such as Jubula hutchinsiae and Lejeunea lamacerina (Hodgetts, 2023; Lyons & Doogue, 2023) underscores the humid conditions in this wooded ravine. Old records exist for Ferryhill and Carlingford Mountain where it might still be expected to occur.

JH Cooley records: Above Marble Bridge in Ravensdale, J087159 (1995; JH), on rockwalled ravine.

Other H31 records: Ferry Hill (1893; RLP; Praeger, 1901) [this record might have been made during a joint meeting of the BNFC and DNFC in July 1893 (Anon, 1893)]; Carlingford Mountain (1900; RLP; Praeger, 1901); deep gully in Ravensdale Forest Park (DS-ms); J01 (1997; DS).

Ranunculus auricomus – Goldilocks Buttercup With only two recent sites, the rarity of Ranunculus auricomus mirrors the scarcity of deciduous woodland in the county. JH’s Curralhir Bridge record is an addition to the previously known station at Beaulieu House. I have been unable to trace the meaning and significance of ‘Plunkett portraits’ associated with the Drumcar record below.

JH Cooley records: Flurry River below Curralhir Bridge, J083141 (2007; JH).

Other H31 records: Drumcar (c.1890; Plunkett portraits; per DS-ms); Piperstown (1899; RS; Praeger, 1901); Beaulieu House (DS-ms); O17 (1987-1999; DS); Beaulieu, O123767 (2018; SF).

Aquilegia vulgaris – Columbine Although many consist of garden escapes, some populations of Columbine are deemed native. Indeed, several botanists, have asserted its native status on Slieve Foye (Praeger, 1901; Haughton, 1944; DS-ms) given its persistence and remote location. JH remarks that it ‘appears to be one of the wildest sites for Columbine in Ireland… it is surprising just how wet the habitat conditions are here’ (Harron, undated). The flowers here are also smaller than alien plants (D. Doogue, pers. comm., March 2025). First recorded in 1878, the populations on Slieve Foye appear secure presently. Only the Slieve Foye records are included below. Other populations in the county are either of uncertain status or are probably alien.

JH Cooley records: East slope of Carlingford Mountain, above St Patrick’s bridge, J173131 (1989; JH), isolated plants amongst gravel and rocks at edge of stream; eastern PAGE 33

slopes of Slieve Foye, J176117 (2009; JH), at least 20 plants, mostly close to the base of a cliff-face; east base of Slieve Foye at the Golden River, J1712 & J1812 (2012; JH).

Other H31 records: Banks of a small stream about a mile from Carlingford (1878; THC; per DS-ms); mountain above Carlingford, (c.1890; CHW; Colgan & Scully, 1898; per DSms; high up on Carlingford Mountain (1900; RLP; Praeger, 1901); Carlingford Mountain, looking native (1944; DNFC; Haughton, 1944).

Rhodiola rosea – Roseroot One of the rarest species in Co. Louth, Roseroot survives as a single plant in a rocky crevice NW of the Slieve Foye summit. Previous records all seem to refer to this site, although there has been a decline in abundance here since the 1970s at least. It is unclear what has driven this, but the trend is mirrored in other populations elsewhere including in Co. Fermanagh (H33), Co. Antrim (H39) and Co. Wicklow (H20) (Forbes, 2024). At least three populations in the Mournes, Co. Down have not been seen lately, with recent records restricted to Slieve Muck (Hackney, 1992; Day, 2024). These declines have not been captured by Plant Atlas 2020, as its distribution at the 10 km scale is mostly stable (Stroh et al., 2023). With a predominantly western distribution in Ireland, the Cooley population is of high conservation value.

JH Cooley records: Slieve Foye, J1612 (1972; JH; Harron, 1974), few plants over a limited area of the rock face.

Other H31 records: Near the top of Carlingford Mountain (1878; THC – BEL; per DSms); near summit of Carlingford Mountain (1893; BNFC & DNFC; Anon, 1893); Carlingford Mountain (1900; RLP; Praeger, 1901); damp crevices in N-facing rocks (DSms); Slieve Foye, J169123 (2018; JF, JFH & CP); Slieve Foye, J169123 (2019; RLH, CB, KH & OD); Slieve Foye, J169123 (2021; CF & EF).

Ervilia sylvatica – Wood Vetch Populations of Wood Vetch are restricted to the lower reaches of the Castletown River near Riverstown. However, it has also been recorded between Ballymakellett and Ballymascanlon, and this site should be followed up on. It is mainly a northern species in Ireland albeit localised there.

JH Cooley records: Riverstown, J168055 (1974; JH), close to the mouth of the Castletown River; Riverstown [upstream of bridge on R173], J167066 & J167067 (1974; JH); Riverstown [another population downstream of the bridge without six-figure grid reference], J1606 (1974; JH) [JH noted Wood Vetch growing along one mile (1.6 km) of steep slopes next to the river. On a later undated visit, he found much of the area had been converted to pasture alongside damage to the steep slopes hosting Wood Vetch].

Other H31 records: Carlingford (1878; SAS; Praeger, 1901); on scarp on E bank of river at Riverstown, just S of main road (DS-ms); wooded bank above the road from Ballymakellett to Ballymascanlon (DS-ms); Riverstown – steep bank SE of road, J10 (1997; DS); Mountbagnall, J165063 (2019; SF).

Rubus saxatilis – Stone Bramble JH discovered Rubus saxatilis on Slieve Foye in 2009. All previous Louth records are confined to the 19th century. This delicate bramble might occur elsewhere on Slieve Foye PAGE 34

where gabbro outcrops occur. Within Ireland, records are concentrated in regions hosting base-rich bedrock such as the basalt of Antrim (H39) and the limestone of Fermanagh (H33), Sligo (H28), Leitrim (H29), and The Burren.

JH Cooley records: Stream from the Ravens Rock next to Cloghmore, J144128 (2009; JH), a single stem less than 1 m long on a N-facing rock face.

Other H31 records: Carlingford Mountain (1878; SAS; Praeger, 1901); Carlingford Mountain (1897; SAS; per DS-ms).

Geum rivale – Water Avens JH found two sites for this species: the Castletown River at Riverstown and the Big River (a tributary of the former). It is unclear if DS’s record refers to one of these or a different site. Geum rivale is widespread in Ireland and is common in some western areas such as Co. Fermanagh (Forbes & Northridge, 2012). In contrast, it is more localised in eastern coastal counties.

JH Cooley records: Riverstown Valley, J151099 (1972; JH; Harron, 1974); Castletowncooley River at Riverstown, J167061 (1974; JH), isolated patches on the stream bank; Castletowncooley River, J151098 (1988; JH), a few patches on banks; Castletowncooley River, J1509 (2010; JH).

Other H31 records: J10 (1997; DS).

Parnassia palustris – Grass-of-Parnassus Until recently, there was only one recorded Louth site for this charismatic member of fen and calcareous flush communities. Its discovery at Drumshallon Lough in 2023 was a welcome find. It occurs with an assemblage of other rare species typical of fens such as Epipactis palustris and Pyrola rotundifolia (Round-leaved Wintergreen) near Greenore.

JH Cooley records: Greenore, J218095 (1990; JH).

Other H31 records: Ardee (1897; RLP; Praeger, 1901); extensive marsh and fen E of Rampart, Greenore (DS-ms); fen W of golf course, Greenore (DS-ms); J20 (1997; DS); J21 (1998; DS); J20 (1999; DNFC); Millgrange Fen, J218094 (2021; RLH & SS); Drumshallon Lough, O0883 (2023; BM; Madden, 2024).

Lythrum portula – Water-purslane Another example of a species with few records in the county. JH found it growing at the margin of an upland stream in Cooley. Small-scale flooding and perhaps disturbance by livestock might maintain the requisite open conditions for this species here.

JH Cooley records: The Doonan by Ballymakellett, J1012 (2012; JH), small patches beside stream and in nearby ditches and mires.

Other H31 records: Belpatrick [W of Collon] (probably JW; Baily, 1833); Red Bog near Dromiskin (1945; FHWK).

Crambe maritima – Sea-kale (NT) (FPO, 1980) (Sch.8) Crambe maritima seems to have spread in Ireland over the past 40 years (Webb & Akeroyd, 1991; Stroh et al., 2023). Nonetheless, it remains rare along much of the Irish coast. Two new sites in Co. Louth have recently been found although neither are in Cooley. Given its PAGE 35

presence along the S Down coast (Hackney, 1992; Day, 2024) and its previous station at Riverstown (near Gyles Quay), its reappearance in Cooley would be unsurprising.

JH Cooley records: Riverstown, J166054 (1972; JH; Harron, 1974), two plants at mouth of river.

Other H31 records: Dunany, O146920 (2017; JF); Annagassan, O087942 (2019; SF).

Pyrola rotundifolia subsp. rotundifolia – Round-leaved Wintergreen (NT) (FPO, 1980) Two subspecies of Pyrola rotundifolia occur in Ireland: subsp. rotundifolia and subsp. maritima. The former is concentrated in the midlands with the Louth populations comprising noticeable outliers. However, recent versions of the FPO exclude subsp. rotundifolia. An increase in records since the mid-20th century (Cross, 1986; Stroh et al., 2023) probably reflects a real expansion in its distribution (Cross, 1986). It seems unlikely that the species was previously overlooked at the well-recorded fen near Greenore where it was first found in 2009. Since then, two other Louth stations outside Cooley have been discovered: Togher Lough and Burren. Nevertheless, this species has a restricted distribution in Ireland, and its occurrence in Cooley is of considerable biogeographic and conservation importance.

JH Cooley records: Greenore J2109 (2013 & 2015; JH) [still there (2023; CF)].

Other H31 records: Greenore, J219095 (2009, NPWS); Burren, O0685 (2012, NPWS); Millgrange Fen, J218094 (2021; RLH & SS); Burren, O067860 (2021; RLH & SS); Togher Lough, O133894 (2022; CB & NS).

Galium uliginosum – Fen Bedstraw Typically associated with fens, Galium uliginosum may also occur along base-rich flushes in the uplands including near Slieve Beagh, Co. Fermanagh (Forbes & Northridge, 2012).

Most Cooley records are also from such habitat. Although base-rich flushes are widespread in the Cooley Mountains, Fen Bedstraw remains rare there. Praeger (1901) rejects historical records of G. uliginosum from several vice-counties, including Louth, given previous confusion attached to this species. However, subsequent finds in Cooley may lend some credibility to the records from there in Baily (1833), even if they cannot be accepted unequivocally.

JH Cooley records: Above Clermontpass Bridge, J115153 (2002; JH) [JH did not re-find this population when he returned in 2009]; east side of Slievetrasna, J1312 (2011; JH), patch less than 3 m2; Ballymakellett, J1112, (2011; JH), population extending for c.11 m along edge of stream.

Other H31 records: Marshes at the foot of the Saddle and Trumpet Mountains [it is unclear where Saddle Mountain refers to] (possibly JW; Baily, 1833); field opposite the gate of Rockmarshall Forest (1976; DS; Synnott, 1977).

Lamium confertum – Northern Dead-nettle (NT) JH’s record represents an early find of this archaeophyte in Co. Louth. Whilst it is quite scattered in Ireland, clusters of records in Co. Down and Co. Wexford (H12) suggest it is under-recorded (Stroh et al., 2023).

JH Cooley records: Whitestown, J233064 (1989; JH), between road and shore.

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Other H31 records: Between caravan park and village of Clogherhead by the L6 roads, O18 (1999; DD); Ballytrasna, J2209 (2016; JF); Willville, J223071 (2017; JF); Castletown Motte, J0208 (2019, SF); Termonfeckin, O1580 (2019, SF).

Lathraea squamaria – Toothwort This parasite of various tree species is widespread in the north of Ireland yet remains rare in many regions. It often occurs along riversides where dispersal, disturbance and elevated base status may favour its growth (Sheehy Skeffington, 2023). JH’s record is close to a previous sighting for Toothwort in Ravensdale Park. The finder, Lady Clermont, is better known for discovering the eponymous Asplenium x clermontiae (Lady Clermont’s Spleenwort) on the estate in 1863 (Syme, 1886).

JH Cooley records: Flurry River below Curralhir Bridge, J082142 (1988, JH), 0.5 m2 patch on shaded riverbank with hazel.

Other H31 records: Woods at Castlebellingham (c.1890; CBL; Colgan & Scully, 1898; per DS-ms); Ravensdale Park (1892; LGF; Colgan & Scully, 1898); A.G. More (DBN; per DS-ms) [further details of this record were not obtained].

Antennaria dioica – Mountain Everlasting Well-drained, infertile soils where competition is low are host to Antennaria dioica.

Agricultural intensification and land use changes have led to losses, and it is now rare in the east (Stroh et al., 2023). JH’s site has probably been lost to conifer afforestation or agricultural intensification. However, another population occurs on Slieve Foye approximately 1 km uphill. A record in Baily (1833) is omitted below as the locality information is contradictory.

JH Cooley records: Two Mile River bridge, J168144 (1972, JH), on flushed ground with Platanthera chlorantha (Greater Butterfly-orchid).

Other H31 records: Reported by Praeger (1901) without locality information; J10 (19001929) [source of this record is unclear]; H90 (1987-1999; DS) [this record was not found on DS’s record cards held by CF, and thus must remain unconfirmed at present]; Annaloughan, J131070 (2019; BMcS); Slieve Foy, J162133 (2022; CF).

Omalotheca sylvatica – Heath Cudweed (EN) (FPO) Having suffered severe declines during the 20 th century, Heath Cudweed is now a rare species in Ireland. JH’s record constitutes the first Louth sighting since 1900. Attempts to re-find this site by CF have been unsuccessful although this is unsurprising as populations are often ephemeral (Stroh et al., 2023).

JH Cooley records: Ballymakellett, J109108 (2008; JH), four plants at edge of gravel track through conifer plantation.

Other H31 records: Mt Oriel (probably JW; Baily, 1833); on the way up the Carlingford Hills from Omeath (1883; HCH; Hart, 1884); Carlingford, 1900 (RLP; Praeger, 1901).

Potamogeton coloratus – Fen Pondweed This pondweed has been recorded from two sites in Cooley: Whitestown and a fen near Greenore. It has almost certainly been lost from Braganstown Bog and is unlikely to have PAGE 37

survived at Ardee Bog. It may also occur at other fens in the Cooley lowlands. Ostensibly suitable habitat can be found on Slieve Foye although it remains unrecorded here.

JH Cooley records: Greenore, J218095 (1990; JH).

Other H31 records: Ardee Bog (1897; RLP; Colgan & Scully, 1898; Praeger, 1901); Braganstown Bog (1897; RLP; Colgan & Scully, 1898; Praeger, 1901); J20 (1999; DNFC); Whitestown, J2307 (2010; RG); Grange Fen [Millgrange], J217097 (2017; JF).

Zannichellia palustris – Horned Pondweed Whilst this aquatic has declined nationally, it probably remains under-recorded in Co. Louth. NS, for instance, discovered two new sites in a single day’s fieldwork.

JH Cooley records: Shilties Lough, J199111 (1989; JH); Greenore, J218095 (1990; JH).

Other H31 records: Brackish drains S of Soldier’s Point (1977; DD & DS; Synnott, 1979); Williamstown House, 1km SW of, O0392 (1993; NS); Annagassan, O0793 (1993; NS); J01 (1987-1999; RG); J21 (1995; DN).

Epipactis palustris – Marsh Helleborine (Sch.8) This attractive orchid of fens and other damp calcareous habitats is restricted to one site in Co. Louth: a fen near Greenore. Its rarity in the north of Ireland is reflected in its designation as a Sch.8 species. For instance, it is extinct in Co. Down (Day, 2024), has one extant site in Co. Armagh (BSBI, 2024) and is restricted to four recent sites in Co. Monaghan (H32) (FitzGerald, 2024). Like many other base-rich wetland species, the midlands are a stronghold for Marsh Helleborine.

JH Cooley records: Greenore, J218095 (1990; JH); Greenore, J2109 (2013; JH), at least 30 plants in flower; Greenore, J2109 (2015; JH).

Other H31 records: Marshy ground near Castlebellingham (1890; CBL; Butler, 1890); fen E of Rampart, Greenore (DS-ms); fen W of golf course (DS-ms); J20 (1997; DS); J21, (1998; DS); J20 (1999; DNFC); Greenore, J218095 (2009; ME); Grange Fen [Millgrange], J217096 (2017; JF); Millgrange Fen, J218094 (2021; RLH & SS).

Hammarbya paludosa – Bog Orchid (NT) (FPO) (Sch.8) A highly inconspicuous, diminutive orchid which is easily overlooked. It is probably widespread in the Clermont Cairn/Black Mountain area but focussed searches are usually required to detect it.

JH Cooley records: Clermontpass Valley, J109157 (1973; WEH, DMcC & JH; McClintock et al., 1974), one plant noted; above Clermontpass Bridge, J116152 (2009; JH), 10 plants seen.

Other H31 records: Valley S of Clermont Cairn, J098142 & J099147 (2019; CB); E of Clermont Cairn, J104160 (2022; CB, RLH, CF & MC).

Platanthera bifolia – Lesser Butterfly-orchid Widespread in Ireland away from the south and east, Lesser Butterfly-orchid is rare in Co. Louth. It hasn’t been reported from the lowlands recently. Similarly, there have been few upland records, yet further undiscovered sites in the Cooley Mountains might be expected.

JH Cooley records: Cadger’s Bridge, J095136 (1974; JH), edge of flush.

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Plate 2

Plate 1

Plate 3 Verbascum and Linaria photographs – pages 39-42. For captions see page 82.

Photos T. O’Mahony © 2024 (for article see page 10)

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Plate 4

Plate 5

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Plate 6

Plate 8

Plate 7 PAGE 41

Plate 9

Plate 10

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Hymenophyllum tunbrigense (Tunbridge Filmy-fern) in Co. Longford (H24), 4th January 2025.

Photo D. Ó Catháin © 2025 (p. 70)

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Hieracium sommerfeltii specimen in herb. D. McCosh (E). Photo T. Rich © 2025 (p. 61)

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Other H31 records: Ardee Bog (1897; RLP; Praeger, 1901); Ballymascanlon (1900; RLP; Praeger, 1901); cutover bog W of Corcreeghagh (DS-ms); Ardee Bog (DS-ms); Clermont Pass, J118154 (2021 & 2022; CF & EF).

Dactylorhiza viridis (Coeloglossum viride) – Frog Orchid (NT) This declining orchid was last recorded in Louth by JH in 1990. Having been lost from much of the east and midlands, its stronghold has contracted to the west of Ireland. There have been no Co. Monaghan records since 1988 (FitzGerald, 2024), and it is seemingly confined to one site in Co. Down (Day, 2024) and Co. Armagh (BSBI, 2024).

JH Cooley records: Greenore, J218095 (1990; JH), one plant in fruit.

Other H31 records: Moist meadows along the riverside, Tenure [Tinure] (JW; Wade, 1804); Ballymascanlon (1900; RLP; per DS-ms; reported without locality information by Praeger, 1901).

Orchis mascula – Early-purple Orchid Although widely distributed in Ireland, Orchis mascula is quite rare in Co. Louth. Like Ranunculus auricomus, this could reflect the scarcity of suitable woodland in the county.

JH’s Ryland River site should be followed up on given its rarity locally.

JH Cooley record: Ryland River, J138155 (1974; JH), plentiful.

Other H31 records: Ballymascanlon (1900; RLP; per DS-ms; reported without locality information by Praeger, 1901); Townley Hall Woods (DS-ms); Tipping Hill, J096102 (2005; SB & JR).

Juncus foliosus – Leafy Rush As one of the segregates of Juncus bufonius agg., J. foliosus is almost certainly underrecorded locally and nationally. The prevalence of records in certain counties such as Down and Antrim (BSBI, 2024) reflects recording efforts. In Cooley, four sites were found by JH within a small area. Increased familiarity with this taxon will probably lead to many new records for the county.

JH Cooley records: Riverstown, J165065 (1989; JH); above Clermontpass Bridge, J115153 (2002; JH); The Doonan, J1012 (2010; JH); Ballymakellett, J1011 (2013; JH).

Other H31 records: None Scirpus sylvaticus – Wood Club-rush (NT) A rare and declining species nationally with few populations outside Ulster. It is highly threatened in Co. Louth. Only one or two extant sites remain, both of which are a priority for re-visiting. JH records the loss of two populations and the threat posed to a third by drainage works.

JH Cooley records: Flurry River at Ballymascanlon, J084109 (1974; JH; Synnott, 1979), c.1 m2 colony at edge of river [JH notes that it is no longer present]; Flurry River below Curralhir Bridge, J081143 (1988; JH), 5 m long colony [JH notes that the site was levelled and resown by the mid-1990s, destroying this population]; Kilnasaggart River, J076110 (2007; JH), c. 8 m x 2 m colony on north bank of stream; Flurry River at Ballymascanlon, J080096 (2011; JH), 3.5 m x 2 m patch [JH suggests that this population will die out given drainage works carried out here].

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Other H31 records: None.

Eleogiton fluitans – Floating Club-rush Along with Carex laevigata, Eleogiton fluitans is a highly under-recorded species in Cooley. Many upland sites were discovered by JH, and it appears to be widespread in the Cooley Mountains.

JH Cooley records: Kilnasaggart River, J067136 (1993; JH); Aghameen, J130110 (1993; JH); Doolargy Hill, J101130 (1994; JH); Castletowncooley River, J141121 (2008; JH); Mullaghattin, J127103 (2008; JH); marsh at Moneycrockroe, J133131 (2009; JH); Corrakit, J1214 (2009; JH); Drummullagh, J1217 (2010; JH); The Doonan by Ballymakellett, J1012 (2012; JH); The Raven’s Rock, J1412 (2014; JH); Cloghmore, J1412 (2015; JH) [still there (2024; CF & ML)].

Other H31 records: At 1150 ft. [350 m] on Carlingford Mountain (1883; HCH; Hart, 1884); Braganstown Bog (1897; RLP; per DS-ms; reported without locality information by Praeger, 1901); N of Foxhall (DS-ms); O08, (1998; DS).

Carex laevigata – Smooth-stalked Sedge Carex laevigata is another example of an under-recorded species. JH found this sedge in at least seven distinct sites in Cooley.

JH Cooley records: Riverstown Valley, J151099 (1972; JH; Harron, 1974); Flurry River below Curralhir Bridge, J081143 (1988; JH), with Scirpus sylvaticus; Castletowncooley River, J151100 (1988; JH); Feede Mountain, J078145 (1993; JH); Aghameen, J130110 (1993; JH); Flurry River below Curralhir Bridge, J083140 (2007; JH); above the Cadgers Bridge, J098139 (2007; JH); Athboy stream at Ballymakellett, J107112 (2008; JH); above Clermontpass Bridge, J117153 (2009; JH).

Other H31 records: None Carex pallescens – Pale Sedge Two sites for Carex pallescens were found by JH along the Ryland River near Omeath.

Neither population has been reported since. This sedge is rare along much of the east coast but is more widespread, albeit localised, north of Cooley.

JH Cooley records: Ryland River, J133153 (1974; JH); Ryland River at Omeath, J146158 (1989; JH).

Other H31 records: None.

Drymochloa sylvatica (Festuca altissima) – Wood Fescue A wooded ravine in Ravensdale hosts the only known population of Wood Fescue in the county. It probably grows on a rather inaccessible site here, which is a feature borne out elsewhere in Britain and Ireland (Stroh et al., 2023). If the humidity regime and substrate remain stable, the species should be secure here.

JH Cooley records: Above Marble Bridge in Ravensdale, J087159 (1995; JH), two separate colonies.

Other H31 records: Steep side of gully in Ravensdale Forest, J01 (1977; DS; Synnott, 1979); J01 (1997; DS); Ravensdale Park, J085158 (2005; SB & PP).

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Acknowledgements Firstly, I wish to extend my deep gratitude to the late John Harron. His detailed fieldwork and meticulous organisation have produced lucid and invaluable accounts of the vascular plants of Cooley. Sincere thanks are also due to Donal Synnott whose manuscript Flora has been indispensable in collating previous Louth records for the present article. To the members of the Dublin Naturalists’ Field Club for their insights and comments which they have so freely and willingly shared with me. Many thanks to David McNeill and John Faulkner for information on Harron’s records and the distribution of his record cards to VCRs. I am also grateful to Cliona Byrne for supplying Harron’s record cards and a scanned copy of Synnott’s manuscript Flora, Rory Hodd for a discussion on a fen site in Cooley, and John Conaghan for clarification of the Parnassia palustris record at Drumshallon Lough.

References Anon. (1893). Proceedings of Irish societies – Belfast and Dublin Naturalists’ Field Clubs. Irish Naturalist 2: 226227.

Anon. [Baily, K.S.] (1833). The Irish Flora. Hodges & Smith, Dublin.

Blockeel, T.L., Bell, N.E., Hill, M.O., Hodgetts, N.G., Long, D.G., Pilkington, S.L. & Rothero, G.P. (2021). A new checklist of the bryophytes of Britain and Ireland, 2020. Journal of Bryology 43: 1-51.

Brunker, J.P. (1945). Parsley fern on Carlingford Mountain. Irish Naturalists’ Journal 8: 272.

BSBI (2024). BSBI Distribution Database. Online at https://database.bsbi.org. Accessed: 9 th December 2024.

Butler, C. (1890). New stations of Irish plants. Journal of Botany 28: 361-362.

Colgan, N. (1902). Some new county records. Irish Naturalist 11: 184.

Colgan, N.C. & Scully, R.N. (1898). Contributions towards a Cybele Hibernica. 2nd edition. Edward Ponsonby, Dublin.

Cross, J.R. (1986). The distribution and status of Pyrola rotundifolia L. in Ireland. Irish Naturalists’ Journal 22: 16-20.

Day, G. (2024). County Down scarce, rare and extinct vascular plant register. Unpublished Rare Plant Register.

Faulkner, J. (2023). Ireland’s changing flora: a summary of the results of Plant Atlas 2020. Flóra na hÉireann ag athrú: achoimre ar thorthaí Atlas na bPlandaí 2020. Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland, Durham.

FitzGerald, A. (2024). Flora of County Monaghan. Wordwell, Dublin.

Flynn, C. (2022). Rediscovering Lycopodium clavatum (Stag’s-horn Clubmoss) in Co. Louth (H31). Irish Botanical News 32: 46-47.

Flynn, C. (2023). Hunting for wintergreen horsetails in Co. Louth (H31). Irish Botanical News 33: 47-50.

Forbes, R. (2024). Fermanagh species accounts. Online at: https://fermanagh.bsbi.org. Accessed: 29 th December 2024.

Forbes, R.S. & Northridge, R.H. (2012). The Flora of County Fermanagh. National Museums Northern Ireland, Holywood.

Hackney, P. (ed.) (1992). Stewart and Corry’s Flora of the north-east of Ireland. 3rd edition. Institute of Irish Studies, Queen’s University of Belfast, Belfast.

Harron, J. (1974). Plant records for some Irish counties. Irish Naturalists’ Journal 18: 88-90.

Harron, J. (1986). Flora of Lough Neagh. Irish Naturalists’ Journal Committee, Belfast & University of Ulster, Coleraine.

Harron, J. (undated). [Unpublished plant records by John Harron. The records date from c.1972 to 2015 and were later transferred to record cards with further comments added].

Hart, H.C. (1884). Notes on the plants of some of the mountain ranges of Ireland. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, Science 4: 211-251.

Haughton, J.P. (1944). News of the societies – Dublin Naturalists’ Field Club. Irish Naturalists’ Journal 8: 228.

Hodgetts, N. (2023). The liverwort year – 2022. Field Bryology 129: 67-74.

Jepson, P., Lubienski, M., Llewellyn, P. & Viane, R. (2013). Hybrids within Equisetum subgenus Hippochaete in England and Wales. New Journal of Botany 3: 47-58.

Lyons, M. & Doogue, D. (2023). Bryophytes of Cooley: a preliminary inventory of sites of bryological interest on the Cooley Peninsula, Co. Louth. Unpublished report, Technological University Dublin.

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Madden, B. (2024). Kellystown Wind Farm Environmental Impact Assessment Report. Chapter 6. Biodiversity.

Unpublished report.

McClintock, D., Harrison, W.E. & Harron, J. (1974). Some new plant records for Co. Louth, H31. Irish Naturalists’ Journal 18: 87.

McNeill, D. (2021). John Harron (1944-2020). BSBI News 147: 67-68.

McNeill, I. (2021). John Harron – a personal appreciation. BSBI News 147: 68-70.

Newman, E. (1844). History of British ferns and allied plants. John Van Voorst, London.

Page, C.N. (1997). The ferns of Britain and Ireland. 2nd edition. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

Praeger, R.L. (1893). The Flora of County Armagh. Irish Naturalist 2: 212-215.

Praeger, R.L. (1901). Irish Topographical Botany. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, third series 7: iclxxxvii, 1-140.

Praeger, R.L. (1946). Additions to the knowledge of the Irish flora, 1939-1945. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. Section B: Biological, Geological and Chemical Science 51: 27-51.

Preston, C.D., Pearman, D.A. & Dines, T.D. (eds.) (2002). New Atlas of the British & Flora. Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Roche, J.R., Perrin, P.M., Barron, S.J. & Daly, O.H. (2014). National Survey of Upland Habitats (Pilot Survey Phase 2009-2010). Site report no.4: Carlingford Mountain cSAC (000453), Co. Louth (revision).

National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dublin, Ireland.

Sell, P. & Murrell, G. (2018). Flora of Great Britain and Ireland. Volume 1 Lycopodiaceae – Salicaceae.

Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

Sheehy Skeffington, M. (2023). The curious incidence of the parasites in the woods. Irish Botanical News 33: 6975.

Stace, C. (2019). New Flora of the British Isles. 4th edition. C & M Floristics, Suffolk.

Stroh, P.A., Walker, K.J., Humphrey, T.A., Pescott, O.L. & Burkmar, R.J. (eds.) (2023). Plant Atlas 2020: mapping changes in the distribution of the British and Irish flora (2 vols). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland, Durham & Princeton University Press, Princeton & Oxford.

Syme, J.T.B. (1886). English Botany. Volume 12. 3rd edition. George Bell & Sons, London.

Synnott, D.[M.] (1977). Additions to the flora of Louth. Irish Naturalists’ Journal 19: 131.

Synnott, D.[M.] (1979). Further additions to the flora of Louth (H31). Irish Naturalists’ Journal 19: 406.

Synnott, D.M. (1970). Botrichium lunaria and Equisetum variegatum in County Louth. Irish Naturalists’ Journal 16: 282.

Synnott, D.M. (undated). Flora of Louth. [Manuscript containing a checklist of vascular plant species in Co. Louth.

Compiled c.1980].

Wade, W. (1804). Plantae rariores in Hibernia inventae. Transactions of the Dublin Society 4: 1-214.

Webb, D.A. & Akeroyd, J.R. (1991). Inconstancy of sea-shore plants. Irish Naturalists’ Journal 23: 384-385.

Wyse Jackson, M., FitzPatrick, Ú., Cole, E., Jebb, M., McFerran, D., Sheehy Skeffington, M. & Wright, M. (2016).

Ireland Red List No. 10: Vascular Plants. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Dublin.

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New locations for Viola lactea (Pale Dog-violet) in West Galway (H16) John Conaghan, 11 Dun Ard, Craughwell, Co. Galway Cian Ó Ceallaigh, Tír an Fhia, Leitir Móir, Co. Galway Email: johnconaghan18@gmail.com In Ireland Viola lactea (Heath Violet) is a rare plant species which is largely confined to dry heath and acid grassland habitat in coastal areas of the south and west of the island. As a result of the rarity of the species it is legally protected in Ireland under the 2022 Flora Protection Order. In the past the species has been mainly recorded from the vice-counties of West Cork (H3) and West Galway (H16) with outlying sites in Waterford (H6) and Wexford (H12). There is a pre-1930 record from County Clare (H9), which was discounted PAGE 48

by Webb & Scannell (1983) and there are also old records from North Kerry (H2) (Scully, 1916), however there has been no recent confirmation of the species in the vice-county.

In West Galway, Viola lactea has been recorded from a total of ten hectads in the past, however it has not been confirmed from four of these since 1986. The species has a localised distribution, being mainly recorded from the Slyne Head peninsula, Gorumna Island and the Carraroe area of Connemara. The sites comprise areas of rocky dry heath and grassland habitat located mostly within a couple of kilometres of the coast. It is of interest that the species is often found growing in close proximity to populations of the nationally Vulnerable species Anacamptis morio (Green-winged Orchid) and both species seem to share similar soil and habitat preferences.

On the 14th of May 2024 a small population of Viola lactea was identified for a new monad (L89.24), growing in an area of short sward, rocky grassland in Tír an Fhia, Gorumna Island. Here the species occurs within enclosed fields which have been continuously grazed for several decades. In the same field, species of note such as Gentianella campestris (Field Gentian) and Spiranthes spiralis (Autumn Lady’s tresses) also grow. Directly where Heath Violet occurs, associated species include Anthoxanthum odoratum (Sweet Vernal-grass), Lotus corniculatus (Common Bird’s-foot-trefoil), Plantago lanceolata (Ribwort Plantain), Trifolium repens (White Clover) and mosses such as Pseudoscleropodium purum. The species grows over an area of approximately 2m 2 and approximately ten plants were noted. The most recent records for Gorumna Island are from 2000 to 2009 where the species has been recorded along most of the island’s south coast and a good section of the eastern shore. No records of Viola lactea exist for western and northern shore of the island or the central part of the island.

On the 14th of May 2024 a small population of Viola lactea, occurring over an area of approximately 3 m2, was found in an area of grazed, rocky heath just south-west of Roundstone village in West Galway (L71.39) (see page 84). At this location the species grows on a well-drained and shallow peat soil with frequent outcropping bedrock. Common associated species include Ulex gallii (Western Gorse), Pedicularis sylvatica (Heath Lousewort), Hypochaeris radicata (Cat’s-ear), Potentilla erecta (Tormentil), Plantago lanceolata (Ribwort Plantain), Lotus corniculatus (Common Bird’s-foot-trefoil), Thymus drucei (Wild Thyme) and Molinia caerulea (Purple Moor-grass). From the available BSBI Atlas records there have been very few recent records of the species from between Gorumna Island and Slyne Head and this appears to be the first record for the species for the Roundstone area since 1962 when D.A. Webb recorded the species from near the base of Errisbeg Hill (Webb & Scannell, 1983). It is likely that this population corresponds to the population first noted in the early 1930’s at Cregduff Lough by Hall & Simpson (1936).

References Hall, P.M. & Simpson, N.D. (1936). Plant records: Viola lactea. Reports of the Botanical Exchange Club 11: 241.

Scully, R.W. (1916). Flora of County Kerry. Including the Flowering Plants, Ferns, Characeae, &c. Hodges Figgis, Dublin.

Webb, D.A. & Scannell, M.J.P. (1983). Flora of Connemara and the Burren. Royal Dublin Society and Cambridge University Press.

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Population size of Crambe maritima (Sea-kale) in Counties Cork (H3–H5) and Waterford (H6) in 2024, compared with 2019 Patrick Smiddy, Ballykenneally, Ballymacoda, Co. Cork, P25 C861 Email: patricksmiddy@eircom.net Introduction A survey of Crambe maritima (Sea-kale) on the mainland coasts of Cork (H3-H5) and Waterford (H6) in 2018 revealed a total of nineteen sites at which the species grew, sixteen in Cork and three in Waterford (Smiddy & Heardman, 2019). One further site was discovered in 2019, and another two in 2020, all in Cork (Smiddy & Heardman, 2021). In 2019, all twenty sites then known to hold the species were visited and site characteristics recorded along with the area (in m2) of the substrate covered (Smiddy & Heardman, 2021).

The aim was to form a baseline against which future population growth, or decline, of Crambe maritima could be monitored in the two counties. This short paper describes a survey in 2024, five years after the first survey in 2019.

Methods The methods used in 2024 were the same as those employed in 2019 (Smiddy & Heardman, 2021). Briefly, patches containing Crambe maritima, including minor gaps between plants, were measured (in m2) using a carpenter’s tape. When there were significant gaps between patches, or when a single plant grew as an offshoot some distance away from the main patch, these gaps were excluded from the area measured. Survey dates ranged from 20 June to 26 July 2019 and from 27 June to 6 July 2024, by which time all fruiting plants were in seed, although a few flowers were still open on some. It is considered that even by the earliest survey date (20 June), all plants had reached maximum growth in terms of area covered.

Results and discussion The results for the twenty sites examined are shown in Table 1. Only four sites showed an increase in area, while sixteen showed a decrease, including two where Crambe maritima has become extinct. The reason for the extinction at the Oysterhaven site may be due to human-related activities, either deliberately or through intensive beach use, while the extinction at the Ring Strand site was caused by a slippage of the backing clay cliff. A considerable reduction in area at the Ballycotton Pier site was also caused by a clay cliff slippage. A recent large rock fall at Coosdoolane was just outside the Crambe maritima site, but there remains a risk of further falls of rock and clay which could potentially obliterate this site. One other site, Monatray West, is also backed by a clay cliff and could be impacted by slippage were it to occur.

Three sites, all very small in area, are situated somewhat atypically among grass and other vegetation well above the beach high tide line; these are Ballinglanna Cove, Coolbaun and Broad Strand. Each site has suffered a reduction of over 70% in area. At all three sites Crambe maritima is seriously threatened with becoming overwhelmed by the vigorous vegetation growth, and the same applies to a lesser degree at a fourth site, PAGE 50

Dunworly Bay. No reason for the reduction in area at the other sites can be put forward.

The three largest sites, Rock Island, Tranabo Cove and Dirk Bay, all appear relatively secure and are situated in reasonably sheltered locations, but some on exposed shingle banks, such as Reenabulliga, Man-of-War Cove, Ferry Point and Whiting Bay could be threatened by beach damage during severe storms. Overall, there was a decrease in area occupied of just over 28% (Table 1).

An increase in storm frequency and severity, increased rainfall and rising sea levels under global climate change scenarios, along with increased human usage of the coast could further threaten this species into the future.

Table 1. Sites and area (m2) occupied by Crambe maritima (Sea-kale) in 2019 and 2024 in Counties Cork (H3–H5) and Waterford (H6) arranged from west to east, along with the % change in population area (+/-). Note: The figures for Coosdoolane (*) are estimates made from the clifftop in both surveys, and the figure for Oysterhaven (**) was calculated from a photograph taken in 2010 (see Smiddy & Heardman 2021).

Site (VC) 2019 2024 (% change +/-) Bere Island (H3) 1.7 2.2 (+29.4) Reenabulliga (H3) 10.0 4.5 (-55.0) Rock Island (H3) 131.4 126.0 (-4.1) Tranalicka (H3) 15.9 11.0 (-30.8) Tranabo Cove (H3) 117.0 84.9 (-27.4) Coosdoolane (H3) * 50.0 45.0 (-10.0) Blind Harbour (H3) 2.3 2.4 (+4.3) Dirk Bay (H3) 63.6 45.1 (-29.1) Ballinglanna Cove (H3) 4.5 0.8 (-82.2) Dunworly Bay (H3) 6.8 1.8 (-73.5) Coolbaun (H3) 3.4 1.0 (-70.6) Broad Strand (H3) 1.3 0.1 (-92.3) Oysterhaven (H4) ** 5.0 0.0 (-100.0) Man-of-War Cove (H4) 2.0 4.0 (+100.0) Paddy’s Point (H4) 16.9 21.5 (+27.2) Ballycotton Pier (H5) 16.0 2.4 (-85.0) Ring Strand (H5) 0.8 0.0 (-100.0) Ferry Point (H6) 36.0 9.5 (-73.6) Monatray West (H6) 15.0 3.1 (-79.3) Whiting Bay (H6) 15.0 3.1 (-79.3) Total 514.6 368.4 (-28.4) References Smiddy, P. & Heardman, C. (2019). Distribution of Crambe maritima (Sea-kale) in Counties Cork (H3–H5) and Waterford (H6) in 2018, with remarks on its recent and historic status. Irish Botanical News 29: 32– 38.

Smiddy, P. & Heardman, C. (2021). Sea-kale (Crambe maritima L.) habitat characteristics in Counties Cork (H3– H5) and Waterford (H6), in 2019. Irish Naturalists’ Journal 37: 85–87.

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Flora (Protection) Order species in Co. Meath (H22): past and present Margaret Norton, Tinode, Manor Kilbride, Blessington, Co. Wicklow Email: kilnorbot200@gmail.com The following account summarises the known distribution of species in Co. Meath (H22) which are currently, or have formerly, been scheduled in various Flora (Protection) Orders.

Such species are rare because the particular habitat types with which they are associated are likewise rare or threatened. For many of these species there are now no recent records from Co. Meath, their decline most likely due to habitat loss. There are additionally many other rare plants which are not scheduled in Flora (Protection) Orders but which are indicative of sites of high nature conservation value. All such surviving sites and their associated habitats urgently require recognition and protection.

Species recorded from Co. Meath scheduled in the Flora (Protection) Orders of 1980, 1987, 1999, 2015 or 2022 (Government of Ireland, 1980, 1987, 1999, 2015 and 2022 respectively) are listed in Table 1. The threat status to the survival of these (as categorised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature 2012), and other native and archaeophyte species within the Republic of Ireland, is set out in the Ireland Red List No. 10: Vascular Plants (Wyse Jackson et al., 2016). Such plants may be the subject of targeted studies, the extra records thus generated in certain instances resulting in their exclusion from subsequent schedules. Species scheduled in any particular Flora (Protection) Order are, for its duration, legally protected under the Wildlife Act of 1976 (Government of Ireland, 1976). This act states it is illegal to cut, pick, uproot or otherwise take any specimen of a scheduled species; purchase, sell or be in procession of any such specimens; wilfully alter, damage, destroy or interfere with the habitat or environment of a scheduled species. The schedule of plants and the legislation are different in Northern Ireland, where the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985, as amended by the Wildlife and Natural Environment Act 2011, applies.

The taxonomy, nomenclature and sequence adopted by Stace (2019) is applied in this account. The name under which the first record was made is given where this differs to that of Stace (2019). A first record may exist in more than one state. It may have been a hitherto unpublished field record, a herbarium specimen, or a published record. Early records are defined as those up to and including 1986, while recent records include those from 1987 onwards, a date class which corresponds to the commencement of the BSBI Monitoring Scheme 1987-1988 (Rich & Woodruff, 1990). The status of species within Ireland follows Jebb (2019).

Place names are given according to the Discovery Series maps, scale 1:50000 (Ordnance Survey (of) Ireland, 1992-2025). Exceptions include the vernacularly named town of Enfield [= Innfield on Discovery Series maps], the Mayden/Maiden Tower [= ‘Tower’ beside Lady’s Finger on Discovery Series maps], Clusker Wood at Dunsany [named on the Six-inch County Series map (Ordnance Survey, 1829-1941)], and the vernacularly named Carragubann [= Caraguban, an area of limestone cliffs c. 2 km N of PAGE 52

Duleek, the place name not traceable on available maps]. The island of Ireland (incorporating the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland) is referred to as Ireland in this account. Recent records are accompanied by four-figure Irish National Grid references. In the case of earlier records, place names were often applied in a general sense. For example, a record made by Praeger from ’Navan & westward’ refers to a full day excursion near and to the west of Navan. Such excursions typically consisted of a 12-hour day during which an average of 20 to 25 miles [c. 32 to 40 km] was covered (Praeger, 1901b). Thus, it is not possible to securely allocate grid references to such records.

Annotations by Praeger (1896-1900) in his copy for Co. Meath of the London catalogue of British plants (Hanbury, 1895) are denoted by RLP-ms. Annotations by Barnes (Norton, 2023) in his copy of Cybele Hibernica (Colgan & Scully, 1898) are denoted by WAB-ms. Records abstracted from Brunker’s fieldwork diaries (Brunker, 1937) are denoted by JPB-ms. Surnames are used for determiners and authors of published works.

Initials are used for recorders as follows: BNFC = Belfast Naturalists’ Field Club, BSBI = Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland, CB = Con Breen, CIB = Ciarán Byrne, DAW = David A. Webb, DNFC = Dublin Naturalists’ Field Club, DS = Donal Synnott, EMcA = Elizabeth McArdle, GP = Greenwood Pim, HH = Howard Hudson, JM = Jim Martin, JPB = James P. Brunker, ME = Maurice Eakin, MN = Margaret Norton, MJPS = Mary J.P. Scannell, PH = Pauline Hodson, RCF = Richard C. Faris, RLP = Robert L. Praeger, SF = Shane Farrell and WAB = William A. Barnes. Some records are supported by herbarium specimens lodged in BEL (National Museums Northern Ireland (Ulster Museum)) and/or DBN (National Botanic Gardens of Ireland). Comments by MN are placed in square brackets [].

Lathyrus palustris L. Marsh Pea Native. A single location in Co. Meath, with no recent records. A species of base-rich fens and marshy riverbanks, which within Ireland is most widespread in the Shannon basin, with scattered sites elsewhere. It was last scheduled in a Flora (Protection) Order in 1980.

First record(s): shore of Lough Sheelin, Co. Meath 1896 (RLP-ms.; RLP DBN); plentiful on the shore of Lough Sheelin, near the Westmeath (H23) boundary 1896 (Praeger, 1897).

[Early record: The record from Finea on the outlet of Lough Sheelin 1946 (JPB & RCF DBN) was previously allocated to Co. Meath, but that outlet forms the boundary between counties Westmeath and Cavan (H30).]

Hypericum hirsutum L. Hairy St John’s-wort Native. A single location in Co. Meath, with no recent records. Its core native distribution in Ireland is within the woodlands of the River Liffey valley in the counties of Dublin (H21) and Kildare (H19), both of which border on Co. Meath. Scheduled in several Flora (Protection) Orders including the most recent one of 2022.

First record(s): Navan & westward 1896 (RLP-ms.); hedgerow near Navan 1896 (RLP DBN & BEL; Praeger, 1901b).

Scleranthus annuus L. Annual Knawel Native. Localised and extremely rare in Co. Meath, with no recent records. Typically, a species of dry open well-drained, often base-poor, soils. Its sites near Moynalty are located PAGE 53

on base-poor brown earth soils of the Kells Series formed from Lower Palaeozoic shale.

These well-drained friable soils are suited to grassland and tillage (Finch et al., 1983), the land now mainly in pasture or silage rather than arable crops. The site at Carrolan's Ground, in the townland of Shancaran near Moynalty, supported both S. annuus and Omalotheca sylvatica (Heath Cudweed) in the early 1900s (WAB-ms.; Norton, 2023). The precipitous decline in Ireland of such weeds of acid arable ground has resulted in the continued retention of both species in the Flora (Protection) Order of 2022.

First record(s): ‘along easterly headlands of Glenfield & Carrolan's Ground’ [c. 2 km NW of Moynalty] 1902 (WAB-ms.; Norton, 2023); in fields, Moynalty 1902 (WAB; Praeger, 1903). [Most probably both referring to the same record(s).]

Pyrola minor L. Common Wintergreen Native. Its two known locations in Co. Meath, both within the base-rich soils of SE Meath, are only 15 km apart. It occurs in deep shade beneath Beech, the ground cover of both woodlands dominated by Ivy and leaf litter. The Navan and Flemingstown (sometimes named Balrath) records all refer to the same site. Although widely recorded in the NE of Ireland, this plant is much rarer in the Republic. It was scheduled for the first time in the most recent Flora (Protection) Order of 2022.

First record: Navan [= Flemingstown site] 1993 (EMcA photographs in DBN).

Recent records: still at Flemingstown, 40 flowering spikes in 2 m² amongst leaf litter, with Beech in the canopy N9966, 2006 (JM; Martin, 2006); persisting in the broadleaved section of the woodland at Flemingstown, the 2 m² site cordoned off by fencing within which the Ivy had been cleared N9966, 2014 (MN); declining population at Flemingstown, only 7 plants visible within the fenced area, with young Beech and Holly c. 5 m tall, the ground dominated by Ivy N9966, 2023 (MN); plentiful in woodland NW of Dunsany Bridge N9054, 2015 (SF); still in woodland NW of Dunsany Bridge, hundreds of plants in clusters scattered over c. 35 m² area beneath Beech with ground cover of leaf litter and some Ivy N9054, 2023 (MN).

Pyrola rotundifolia L. Round-leaved Wintergreen Native. Locally plentiful but rare, it occurs in the base-rich fen-peat wetlands of NW Meath.

Its distribution in Ireland is centred in the neighbouring county of Westmeath. This taxon was scheduled in an aggregate sense, to include both P. rotundifolia ssp. rotundifolia and ssp. maritima Kenyon ex E.F. Warb., in the Flora (Protection) Order of 1980. Subsequent Flora (Protection) Orders related strictly to P. rotundifolia ssp. maritima, which taxon has not been recorded from Co. Meath.

First record: N of Newtown Lake [= Newtown Lough c. 2 km E of Lough Shesk] N66, 1971 (CB).

Early record: still N of Newtown Lake, in fen-bog complex notable for its abundance of Carex limosa (Bog-sedge) N66, 1972 (CB & BSBI; MJPS DBN; Breen, 1973) [subsequently published as P. rotundifolia ssp. rotundifolia (Cross, 1986)].

Recent records: a strong population to the SE of Lough Shesk N66, 2013 (ME); just E of Lough Shesk N6268, 2014 (CB & DNFC); at least 70 flowering spikes in scattered clusters on scrub margins and on hummocks within the calcareous fen peat wetland at Oldtully, NE of Oldcastle N5681, 2018 (MN).

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Table 1. Species from Co. Meath scheduled in current/former Flora (Protection) Orders (FPOs).

Species Common name FPO FPO FPO FPO FPO 1980 1987 1999 2015 2022 Lathyrus palustris Marsh Pea Yes ------------Hypericum Hairy St John’s-wort ---Yes Yes Yes Yes hirsutum Scleranthus Annual Knawel ------Yes Yes Yes annuus Pyrola minor Common ------------Yes Wintergreen Pyrola Round-leaved Yes ------------rotundifolia [agg.] Wintergreen Betonica Betony ---Yes ---Yes Yes officinalis Galeopsis Red Hemp-nettle ---Yes Yes Yes Yes angustifolia Salvia verbenaca Wild Clary Yes ------------Logfia minima Small Cudweed ---Yes Yes Yes ---Omalotheca Heath Cudweed ---Yes Yes Yes Yes sylvatica Epipactis Green-flowered Yes ------------phyllanthes Helleborine Anacamptis morio Green-winged Orchid ---Yes ---------Juncus Round-fruited Rush ------------Yes compressus Hordeum Meadow Barley ---Yes Yes Yes Yes secalinum Betonica officinalis L. Betony Native. A single record in Co. Meath. Rare throughout Ireland with a scattered distribution, this species is scheduled in some, including the most recent, Flora (Protection) Orders.

First record: as Stachys officinalis, among gorse on a heathy hillside about two miles [c.

3.2 km] south of Drumcondra 1958 (DAW; Webb, 1959).

Galeopsis angustifolia Ehrh. ex Hoffm. Red Hemp-nettle Native/Archaeophyte. Recorded in Co. Meath from thinly vegetated ground of limestonederived gravels and sands. A rare species of limited and declining distribution both in Co. Meath and in Ireland, it has been scheduled in all Flora (Protection) Orders since 1987.

Formerly one of the most characteristic species of the neighbouring county of Dublin (Doogue et al., 1998), there are no recent (post-1987) records from that county (Stroh et al., 2023).

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First record(s): as G. ladanum [auct.] [see Synnott (1984)]: gravel pit in the village of Kilmessan 1896 (DNFC [& RLP]; Anon., 1896); as G. angustifolia, Kilmessan 1896 (RLP; Praeger, 1901b). [Most probably both referring to the same record.]

Early records: Enfield 1896 (RLP-ms.; Praeger, 1901b); gravel, S of Laytown 1896 (RLPms.; RLP DBN; Praeger, 1901b); Drogheda 1896 (Praeger, 1901b); Bective 1896 (Praeger, 1901b) [most probably the record later given as ‘in the neighbourhood of Trim and Bective’ (Praeger, 1934b)].

Recent record(s): scattered within 5 m² of open vegetation/bare ground on slope of exposed limestone-derived gravels in quarried esker NW of Blackshade Bridge N6746, 1990, 1995, 2001, 2013, 2019 & 2024 (MN).

Salvia verbenaca L. Wild Clary Native. This species occurs sporadically, and with declining frequency, on the sand dunes at Mornington, most usually on S/W/SW facing slopes or on disturbed ground. It has a predominantly coastal, but somewhat scattered, distribution in Ireland, occurring mainly in southern and southeastern maritime areas. Its sites in the sand dunes by the mouth of the Boyne, at Mornington in Co. Meath and at Baltray in Co. Louth (H31), are the most northern of those recorded (Stroh et al., 2023). Although listed under the Flora (Protection) Order of 1980, it has not been included in subsequent schedules. The Ireland Red List No. 10: Vascular Plants describes it as ‘a rare plant in Ireland found in vulnerable habitats and, as such, regular monitoring of sites is merited’ (Wyse Jackson et al., 2016). The decline of this species in recent years (Stroh et al., 2023) identifies it as a worthy candidate for reinstatement in future Flora (Protection) Orders. Only S. verbenaca ssp. horminoides (Pourr.) Nymann has been detected in Co. Meath.

First record: as S. horminoides, 'sand-dunes at the river-mouth'... 'about Mornington’ (Praeger, 1934b).

Early records: SSW-facing sandbank on Mornington-Bettystown golf links c. 1970 (CB & DS DBN); fixed dunes at Mornington O1575, c. 1970 (CB/DS; Young, 1972); a further station on the W-facing slope of the big blowout at Mornington 1978 (Synnott, 1978 in litt. to Breen).

Recent records: at least 100 plants on SW-facing bank of large elliptical blowout S of South Bull, Mornington O1575, 1998 (PH & MN); 2 plants only, in open mossy vegetation of disturbed sand by rabbit burrows S of South Bull, Mornington O1575, 2019 (MN).

Logfia minima (Sm.) Dumort. Small Cudweed Native. Localised and extremely rare in Co. Meath, with no recent records. This herb of dry, infertile, base-poor soils has no recent records from many of its former sites in the Republic, though still quite widespread in some parts of Northern Ireland (Stroh et al., 2023). Previously scheduled in the Flora (Protection) Orders of 1987, 1999 and 2015, it was omitted from the most recent Flora (Protection) Order of 2022.

First record(s): as Filago minima, Mornington & Mayden Tower August 1896 (RLP-ms); damp sandy ground, Mayden Tower August 1896 (RLP DBN); damp sandy ground behind the lighthouses at Boyne mouth 1896 (Praeger, 1897). [Most probably all referring to the same record.]

Early record: Mayden Tower 1900 (Praeger, 1901b).

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Omalotheca sylvatica (L.) Sch. Bip. & F.W. Schultz Heath Cudweed Native. Localised and very rare in Co. Meath, with no recent records. Typically, a species of unimproved base-poor soils. Its Slieve Breagh site consists of thin acidic soils of low fertility overlying a bedrock of Ordovician and Silurian shales. The extent of intact heathland in this area is much diminished since O. sylvatica was recorded there in Praeger’s time. Its sites near Moynalty are located on base-poor brown earth soils of the Kells Series formed from Lower Palaeozoic shale. These well-drained friable soils are suited to grassland and tillage (Finch et al., 1983) and thus, much of this area is now intensely farmed.

The townland of Shancaran near Moynalty supported both O. sylvatica and Scleranthus annuus in the early 1900s (WAB-ms.; Norton, 2023). The dramatic decline in Ireland of both of these arable weeds of acid ground has resulted in their continued inclusion in the Flora (Protection) Order of 2022.

First record: as Gnaphalium sylvaticum, Slieve Bregh [= Breagh] 1900 (RLP; Praeger, 1901b).

Early records: plentiful in two fields close to Maxwell's Cross, in Rathbane and in Shancarnan (Carrolan's farm) [both c. 2 km NW of Moynalty] 1901 (WAB-ms.; Norton, 2023); north of Moynalty, abundant 1902 (WAB; Praeger, 1903); plentiful in Farrelly's Farm, Stonefield [c. 11 km SW of Moynalty] 1905 (WAB-ms.; Norton, 2023).

Epipactis phyllanthes G.E. Sm. Green-flowered Helleborine Native. A single site in Co. Meath, with a very sparse and scattered distribution in Ireland.

This species previously had legal protection by inclusion in the Flora (Protection) Order of 1980. The orchid E. phyllanthes belongs to a complex of self-pollinated Helleborines, whose species limits are the subject of on-going research (Cheffings et al., 2005).

First record: 7 spikes by trackway through small linear woodland [= Clusker Wood] NE of Dunsany N9357, 2022 (CIB, det. Richards; Green, 2022).

Recent record: still present by trackway through Clusker Wood, several spikes only, most under dense canopy of Beech with ground dominated by Ivy and leaflitter N9357, 2023 (MN, det. Richards).

Anacamptis morio (L.) R.M. Bateman, Pridgeon & M.W. Chase Green-winged Orchid Native. Localised and very rare in Co. Meath, seldom in any quantity. Recorded within the county from short calcareous grasslands on free-draining soils, including those of esker ridges, sand dunes and limestone outcrops. Its main area of distribution in Ireland occurs in the midlands, which region has a high incidence of eskers. Although now less widespread than previously in Ireland (Stroh et al., 2023), it has not been scheduled in a Flora (Protection) Order since 1987. The decline in this sentinel species of calcareous grasslands, whose habitat type is now increasingly threatened, identifies it as a worthy candidate for reinstatement in future Flora (Protection) Orders.

First record: as Orchis morio, meadow, Laytown 1894 (BNFC & DNFC; GP DBN; Anon., 1894).

Early records: dry pasture, Hill of Down 1900 (RLP-ms; RLP DBN; Praeger, 1901a); Bective 1937 (JPB, HH & DNFC; JPB-ms); Commons, Duleek 1965 (Synnott, 1967); ‘recently on the N side of what used to be the pond’…’on dry hummocks’ at Commons, PAGE 57

Duleek (Synnott, 1980); grassy W-facing slope, E of Carragubann [an area of limestone cliffs] 1966 (DS DBN); one plant in short grass at the top of Carragubann ‘a few years ago’ (Synnott, 1980); sand dunes to the S of Maiden Tower, Mornington 1968 (DS) and 1969 (DS & DNFC); dunes S of South Bull at Mornington, in area subsequently levelled/scraped 1970s (Synnott, 1982 in litt. to An Bórd Pleanála); still at Mornington, in fixed dunes S of Maiden Tower 1984 (DS & DNFC); area of moraines at Brannockstown, NW of Rathmolyon 1970 (CB) N75.

Recent records: cluster of 7-12 spikes in mossy vegetation on limestone-derived gravels and sands of quarried esker NW of Blackshade Bridge, with Gentianella amarella (Autumn Gentian) and Carlina vulgaris (Carline Thistle), the site also supporting Galeopsis angustifolia N6746, 2000, 2019 & 2023 (MN); c. 50 plants near top of steep esker fragment NE of Ballyboggan Bridge, with Orchis mascula N6340, 2023 (MN).

Juncus compressus Jacq. Round-fruited Rush Listed as a neophyte in Ireland by Jebb (2019), its status in Co. Meath has yet to be securely established. The first authentic record for J. compressus from Ireland was by Synnott who discovered it in winter-wet alluvial pasture on the south bank of the River Boyne at Ros(s)naree, and shortly thereafter c. 4 km upriver at Slane (Synnott, 1968). He postulated it may have been a recent introduction and might be expected to increase in range. However, apart from the two sites on the River Boyne, this species is as yet unknown in Ireland outside of the Shannon basin (Norton, 2018) [The record from Finn Loch, Co. Clare, previously listed in the BSBI Distribution Database and consequently alluded to by Stroh et al. (2019), was a data entry error, since corrected (Walker, pers. comm., 2018).] This rush still occurs in Co. Meath at Slane, but searches at Rosnaree in 1991 (DS, MN & DNFC) and 2015 (MN) were unsuccessful. Synnott observed the latter site in 1991 to be much drier than hitherto.

Nonetheless, given the ability of J. compressus to produce seedbanks of abundant longlived seeds readily dispersed by water (Stroh et al., 2019), this plant may reappear at Rosnaree or await discovery elsewhere on the Boyne. Although not scheduled in previous Flora (Protection) Orders, it is now included in the current Flora (Protection) Order of 2022.

First Irish Record: winter-wet, alluvial pasture on bank of River Boyne, Rosnaree 5 August 1968 (DS BEL & DBN); at Rosnaree, ‘approximately one hundred spikes of the rush were seen over an area of one acre about the middle of the field’…‘in the less closely grazed tussocks’, with Trifolium repens (White Clover), Triglochin palustris (Marsh Arrowgrass), Juncus articulatus (Jointed Rush) and Carex hirta (Hairy Sedge) N9972, 5 August 1968 (DS; Synnott, 1968).

Early records: Rosnaree N9972, 17 August 1968 (DS & BSBI; Synnott, 1969); ‘alluvial field by the River Boyne, immediately S of Knowth & E of Rosnaree’ [= site of DS & BSBI 1968 field meeting] 17 August 1968 (MJPS DBN); 'on a much frequented pathway not forty yards from a busy road' at Slane ’possibly introduced on footwear of anglers or other visitors’ N9673, August 1968 (DS & BSBI; Synnott, 1968 & 1969); path through damp meadow, bank of the Rive Boyne, Slane 1971 (DS DBN); Co. Meath August 1968 (RCF BEL) [most likely the DS & BSBI 1968 field meeting to Rosnaree and Slane].

Recent records: a single clump of c. 300 flowering plants on bare alluvial soil accumulated at the base of an exposed rock in a small bay of the riverbank below Slane Bridge N9673, PAGE 58

2015 (MN DBN, conf. Cope; Norton, 2018); still present below Slane Bridge, the extent of the population unchanged, the bay colonised by Persicaria amphibia (Amphibious Bistort), Phalaris arundinacea (Reed Canary-grass) and Elymus repens (Common Couch) N9673, 2018, 2020 & 2022 (MN).

Hordeum secalinum Schreb. Meadow Barley Native. Localised and extremely rare in Co. Meath, with records from periodically inundated sites by the River Boyne both near the coast and slightly inland. Of very limited distribution in Ireland, it is most often associated with river valley floodplains near the coast.

This species continues to have legal protection by inclusion in the Flora (Protection) Order of 2022.

First record(s): as H. nodosum, roadside (saltmarsh) by the River Boyne below Drogheda 1933 (RLP DBN); edge of road and saltmarsh 1 mile [= c. 1.6 km] below Drogheda (Praeger, 1934a); 'sand-dunes at the river-mouth'... 'about Mornington’ [location given in a generalised sense] (Praeger, 1934b). [Most probably all referring to the same record.]

Early record: S bank of the River Boyne, Rosnaree, E of Slane 1968 (DS & BSBI; DS DBN; Synnott, 1969).

Recent record: still at Rosnaree, sparingly in the less grazed area by the bank of the River Boyne in winter-flooded pasture below Mill House O0071, 1991 (MN, DS & DNFC; Norton, 2018).

Acknowledgements Sincere thanks to members of the Dublin Naturalists’ Field Club, both past and present, whose dedication to fieldwork and skilful field craft generated the majority of records included in this account. Many thanks also to Matthew Jebb (Director of the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland) and Colin Kelleher (Keeper of the National Herbarium) for access to specimens at DBN, Rachael Hynes (Chief Librarian of the National Herbarium) for providing access to manuscript materials, and to Rhonda Ridley (Curator of Botany, National Museums Northern Ireland (Ulster Museum)) for data on specimens at BEL. I also wish to thank Mike Wyse Jackson (National Parks and Wildlife Service) for his constructive comments on a draft text, and to Lorna Somerville (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs) for clarification on the legislation applicable in Northern Ireland.

References Anon. (1894). Proceedings of Irish Societies, Belfast and Dublin Naturalists' Field Clubs. Irish Naturalist 3: 180182. [16 June 1894: joint excursion from Laytown to the mouth of the River Boyne.]

Anon. (1896). Proceedings of Irish Societies, Dublin Naturalists' Field Club. Irish Naturalist 5: 216. [27 June 1896: excursion to Bective on the River Boyne and Kilmessan.]

Breen, C. (1973). Lough Shesk, Co. Meath. Watsonia 9: 424. [29 July 1972: BSBI field meeting report.]

Brunker, J.P. (1937). Fieldwork diary for 1937. Unpublished manuscript, original retained in the library of the National Herbarium, Glasnevin. [Brunker’s series of field diaries span from 1935 to 1966.]

Cheffings, C.M., Farrell, L., Dines, T.D., Jones, R.A., Leach, S.J., McKean, D.R., Pearman, D.A., Preston, C.D., Rumsey, F.J. & Taylor, I. (2005). The vascular plant Red Data List for Great Britain (Species Status 7). Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough.

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Colgan, N. & Scully, R.W. (1898) Contributions towards a Cybele Hibernica, being outlines of the geographical distribution of plants in Ireland. 2nd edition. Edward Ponsonby, Dublin. [Founded on the papers of A.G. More].

Cross, J.R. (1986). The distribution and status of Pyrola rotundifolia L. in Ireland. Irish Naturalists' Journal 22: 16-20.

Doogue, D., Nash, D., Parnell, J., Reynolds, S. and Wyse Jackson, P. (1998). Flora of County Dublin. The Dublin Naturalists' Field Club, Dublin.

Finch, T.F., Gardiner, M. J., Comey, A. & Radford, T. (1983). Soils of Co. Meath. [Soil Survey Bulletin No. 37].

National soil survey of Ireland, An Foras Talúntais, Dublin.

Government of Ireland (1976). Wildlife Act 1976 [Statutory Instrument No. 39/1976]. Stationery Office, Dublin.

Government of Ireland (1980). Flora (Protection) Order, 1980. [Statutory Instrument No. 338/1980]. Stationery Office, Dublin.

Government of Ireland (1987). Flora (Protection) Order, 1987. [Statutory Instrument No. 274/1987]. Stationery Office, Dublin.

Government of Ireland (1999). Flora (Protection) Order, 1999. [Statutory Instrument No. 94/1999]. Stationery Office, Dublin.

Government of Ireland (2015). Flora (Protection) Order, 2015. [Statutory Instrument No. 356/2015]. Stationery Office, Dublin.

Government of Ireland (2022). Flora (Protection) Order 2022. [Statutory Instrument no. 235/2022]. Stationery Office, Dublin.

Green, P.[G.] (2022). Country roundups: Ireland. BSBI News 151: 70-72.

Hanbury, F.J. (1895). The London Catalogue of British plants. 9th edition. George Bell & Sons, London.

International Union for Conservation of Nature (2012). IUCN Red List categories and criteria (version 3.1. second edition). IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.

Jebb, M. (2019). Vascular plant synonym workbook. National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin. Online at: http://botanicgardens.ie/science-and-learning/irish-flora-records. Accessed: 1st January 2021.

Martin, J. (2006). Survey of rare/threatened and scarce vascular plants in counties Cavan, Louth, Meath, Monaghan and Westmeath. Report for the National Parks & Wildlife Service, BEC Consultants Ltd. Norton, M. (2018). A recent record of Juncus compressus Jacq. from Co. Meath (H22). Irish Naturalists' Journal 37: 170-171.

Norton, M. (2023). Botanical records by William Arthur Barnes from Co. Meath (H22). Irish Botanical News 33: 52-64.

Praeger, R.L. (1896-1900). Annotated copy for Meath of The London catalogue of British plants (9th edition).

Unpublished manuscript, original retained in the library of the National Herbarium, Glasnevin.

Praeger, R.L. (1897). Irish plants, collected chiefly in the province of Leinster in 1896. Irish Naturalist 6: 89-100.

Praeger, R.L. (1901a). Botanical field-work in 1900. Irish Naturalist 10: 29-41.

Praeger, R.L. (1901b). Irish Topographical Botany. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, third series 7: vclxxxviii, 1-410.

Praeger, R.L. (1903). Additions to 'Irish Topographical Botany' in 1902. Irish Naturalist 12: 23-40.

Praeger, R.L. (1934a). A contribution to the flora of Ireland. Including a 3rd Supplement to 'Irish Topographical Botany’. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 42B: 55-86.

Praeger. R.L. (1934b). The botanist in Ireland. Hodges, Figgis and Co., Dublin.

Rich, T.C.G. & Woodruff, E.R. (1990). The BSBI monitoring scheme 1987-1988. Two volumes. Report to the Nature Conservancy Council, England.

Stace, C. (2019). New Flora of the British Isles. 4th edition. C & M Floristics, Suffolk.

Stroh, P.A., Walker, K.J., Smith, S.L.N., Jefferson R.G., Pinches, C.E. & Blackstock, T.H. (2019). Grassland plants of the British and Irish lowlands: ecology, threats and management. Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland, Durham.

Stroh, P.A., Walker, K.J., Humphrey, T.A., Pescott, O.L. & Burkmar, R.J. (eds.) (2023). Plant Atlas 2020: mapping changes in the distribution of the British and Irish flora. Two volumes. Durham & Princeton University Press, Princeton & Oxford.

Synnott, D.M. (1967). Contributions to the bryophyte census of counties Meath and Louth: II. Irish Naturalists' Journal 15: 293-296.

Synnott, D.M. (1968). Juncus compressus Jacq. in Ireland. Irish Naturalists' Journal 16: 92-93.

Synnott, D.[M.] (1969). Field Meetings, 1968: Boyne Valley. Proceedings of the Botanical Society of the British Isles 7: 635. [17 August 1968: BSBI field meeting report.]

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Synnott, D.[M.] (1980). A Common Green, Duleek: the botany and history of a Meath commonage. Duleek Historical Society, Duleek.

Synnott, D.M. (1984). Does Galeopsis ladanum L. occur in Ireland? Irish Naturalists' Journal 21: 279.

Webb, D.A. (1959). New records for Spiranthus romanzoffiana, Stachys officinalis and Eriophorum latifolium.

Irish Naturalists' Journal 13: 20-21.

Wyse Jackson, M., FitzPatrick, Ú., Cole, E., Jebb, M., McFerran, D., Sheehy Skeffington, M. & Wright, M. (2016).

Ireland Red List No. 10: Vascular Plants. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Dublin.

Young, R. (compiler) (1972). A report on areas of scientific interest in County Meath. An Foras Forbartha Teoranta, Dublin.

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Hieracium sommerfeltii (Sommerfelt’s Hawkweed) in Co. Derry (H40) Tim Rich Email: tim_rich@sky.com Hieracium sommerfeltii (Sommerfelt’s Hawkweed) is a rare British and Irish endemic, recorded from about 19 locations in SW Scotland with a disjunct site on Binevenagh (H40), Ireland (McCosh & Rich, 2018). It is a distinctive species with glaucous, spotted leaves, a basal rosette and 1-2 stem leaves and capitula with relatively few, short, broad bracts (Sell & Murrell, 2006).

The only Irish record was from Binevenagh on 19 July 1900 by C.H. Waddell (BEL; specimen determined by E. F. Linton and confirmed by D. McCosh) and it was regarded as extinct in Ireland (McCosh & Rich, 2018). Following recent field work, I can now report it is extant in two sites.

Mark Jannink and I discovered about 80 plants of a distinctive hawkweed with spotted leaves (see inside front cover) on the sand dunes at Umbra C7235 on 21 June 2024, which was later identified as H. sommerfeltii (subsequently confirmed by the BSBI Referee Brian Burrow). On checking previous hawkweed records for Umbra on the BSBI database, there was a 1 June 2003 record for a section Stelligera species at C725356 by David Holyoak; David kindly sent images of his plant which is also H. sommerfeltii, so this 2003 record is the first for this site.

This discovery caused us to re-examine the specimen of a spotted-leaved hawkweed collected as H. flocculosum (Stellate-haired Hawkweed) during Hieracium field work earlier in the day of 21 June 2024 on the main cliffs of Binevenagh C6830; this was also a slightly better grown specimen of H. sommerfeltii. Finally in February 2025, whilst re-examining specimens in the herbarium of the late David McCosh, I realised David and I had also collected H. sommerfeltii on the main crag at Binevenagh C68703035 on 18 June 2008 (E) (see page 44). David had initially collected it as H. hypochaeroides (Cat’s-ear Hawkweed) but commented the inflorescence was corymbose and it had small capitula.

Further surveys are required to assess the populations at both sites. The three hawkweeds with spotted leaves collected in the Binevenagh area can be separated as follows:

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1. Rosette leaves with stellate hairs at least on lower surface and usually upper surface; bracts to 14 mm long H. flocculosum 1. Rosette leaves without stellate hairs; bracts to 11 mm 2 2. Styles yellow; bracts narrow, acute 2. Styles blackish; bracts broad, obtuse

H. hypochaeroides H. sommerfeltii

Voucher specimens from both 2024 collections sites have been deposited in BEL and full details lodged with CEDaR. Acknowledgements I would like to thank Brian Burrow for confirming the identification, Rhonda Ridley for an image of Waddell’s specimen, David Holyoak for photos of his plant and Mark Jannink for help with field work.

References McCosh, D. J. & Rich, T.C.G. (2018). Atlas of British and Irish Hawkweeds (Pilosella Hill and Hieracium L.).

2nd edition. Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland, Harpenden.

Sell, P. [D.] & Murrell, G. (2006). Flora of Great Britain and Ireland, volume 4. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

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Callitriche truncata (Short-leaved Water-starwort) found in Lough Mask, West Mayo (H27), extending its range west by 87km Paul R. Green Email: paulbsbivcr4h12@gmail.com Callitriche truncata (Short-leaved Water-starwort) is a very rare aquatic plant in Ireland being first found in the River Slaney, Co. Wexford (H12) in 1897 by E.S. Marshall. This is where it was confined to until I found it in Lough Ree in 2020 (Green, 2021).

Short-leaved Water-starwort is an annual aquatic species with whitish-green, contrasting strongly with lime-green leaves, which are in opposite pairs, parallel-sided, 2.411 x 0.2-1.8 mm. The flowers are born in the leaf axils, with pollination usually taking place in the water. The fruits are a similar colour to the stems, and have no wings.

I was walking the shore of Lough Mask looking for Spiranthes romanzoffiana (Irish Lady's-tresses) at locations it had been recorded in the past without much success. At the quay on the shore at Toormakeady (M096669) I could see a Sparganium (Bur-reed) flowering beyond some moored boats. The only way to get out to the Bur-reed without getting wet was to climb over the boats, which I did. It turned out to be Sparganium angustifolium (Floating Bur-reed) a plant I don’t see that often. It was a lovely calm sunny day, and the water was crystal clear. I could see a large patch of a Callitriche with many whitish fruits on the lough bed. I gave up the idea of staying dry and waded in to collect a PAGE 62

sample of the Water-starwort. As suspected, it was Short-leaved Water-starwort, with fruits without a wing.

Water-starworts are notorious for being difficult to identify. This could explain why it is being overlooked. Or is C. truncata being misidentified by botanists thinking they are finding C. hermaphroditica (Autumnal Water-starwort) which is very similar? It has winged fruits. Or is it a simple case of it naturally expanding its range in Ireland?

It is very satisfying to see a plant on the Flora (Protection) Order, 2022 being found in areas it has not been seen at before.

The next step is to and try and find more sites around Lough Mask, the fourth largest lough by area in Ireland. There is the potential for Short-leaved Water-starwort to be found in two more vice-counties, East Mayo (H26) and West Galway (H16) which share Lough Mask with West Mayo.

References Green, P.R. (2021). Callitriche truncata (Short-leaved Water-starwort) found in Lough Ree as part of the BSBI Aquatic Plants Project. Irish Botanical News 31: 58-59.

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Further additions to the Taraxacum Wigg. flora of South Tipperary (H7) 20222024 Rosaleen Fitzgerald, 606 River Forest, Captain’s Hill, Leixlip, Co. Kildare The records below are further to my earlier publication (Fitzgerald, 2021) and are the outcome of fieldwork which I carried out in the period 2022-2024. All specimens were determined by A.J. Richards. As far as I am aware, none of these species has previously been recorded or published for South Tipperary (H7). Accordingly, the information given below is for the first known record for each of these species from the vice-county.

Taraxacum dooguei is a species known only from Ireland that has recently been recognised and T. dudmanianum has been segregated and named (Richards, 2021b). With regard to T. pectinatiforme this is the third record for Ireland (Richards, pers.comm.). A representative sample of the species will be deposited in DBN. Nomenclature follows Richards (2021a).

Section Celtica Taraxacum gaelorum A.J. Richards; Carrick-on-Suir S4021, walls and verges near castle; 21/3/2022.

Taraxacum chlorofrugale Oosterv. ex A. J. Richards; lane to Galtee Mts, off Cork rd; R8920, on grass verge; 25/4/2024.

Taraxacum pietii-oosterveldii H. Øllg; lane to Galtee Mts, off Cork rd R8920, on grass verge; 16/4/2023.

Taraxacum dooguei A.J.Richards; lane to Galtee Mts, off Cork rd R8920, on grass verge; 16/4/2023.

Section Hamata PAGE 63

Taraxacum sahlianum Dudman & A.J. Richards; Moyne S1866, on grass verge; 3/4/2022.

Taraxacum hamatiforme Dahlst. ex Lindm.; lane to Galtee Mts, off Cork rd R8920, on grass verge; 25/4/2024.

Section Taraxacum Taraxacum undulatum H. Lindb. & Marklund ; Monaraha S00724, quarry N. of Cahir; 16/4/2023.

Taraxacum lacerifolium G. E. Haglund; Thurles S1258, banks of River Suir; 3/4/2022.

Taraxacum undulatiflorum M.P.Christ; Moyne S1866, on grass verge; 3/4/2022.

Taraxacum piceatum Dahlst.; Carrick-on-Suir S4021, walls and verges near castle; 21/3/2022.

Taraxacum laciniosifrons Wiinst. ex Raunk.; Ballyclerihan S1628, grass verge on rd; 24/3/2024.

Taraxacum lucidum Dahlst.; Thurles S1258, banks of River Suir; 3/4/2022.

Taraxacum vastisectum Markl. ex Puol.; Ballyclerihan S1628, grass verge on rd; 24/3/2024.

Taraxacum subundulatum Dahlst.; Cabragh, Thurles S1057, grass verge on rd; 29/3/2024.

Taraxacum fagerstroemii Såltin; Ballyclerihan S1629, grass verge on rd; 24/3/2024.

Taraxacum rhamphodes G.E. Haglund; Cabragh, Thurles S1057, grass verge on rd; 29/3/2024.

Taraxacum exsertiforme Hagend., Soest & Zevenb.; Cabragh, Thurles S1057, grass verge on rd; 29/3/2024.

Taraxacum cordatum Palmgr.; Knockfeagh wood S0826, mixed woodland; 16/4/2023.

Taraxacum dudmanianum A.J. Richards; Carrick-on-Suir S4021, mixed habitats in centre of town; 21/3/2022.

Taraxacum pectinatiforme H. Lindb.; Ballyclerihan S1628, grass verge on rd; 29/3/24.

Taraxacum sundbergii Dahlst.; Moyne S1866, grass verge on rd; 3/4/2022.

Acknowledgements I wish to thank John Richards for determination of the Taraxacum species. Many thanks also to members of the Dublin Naturalists’ Field Club for advice on the collection and curation of Taraxacum specimens for determination and for assistance in preparing this note.

References Fitzgerald, R. (2021). Additions to the Taraxacum Wigg. flora of South Tipperary (H7) 2016-2019. Irish Botanical News 31: 53-56.

Richards A.J. (2021a). Field Handbook to British and Irish Dandelions. Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland, Durham.

Richards A.J. (2021b). Taraxacum dooguei and T. dudmanianum (Asteraceae) – two new species from Britain and Ireland. British & Irish Botany 3: 324-333.

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A coastal flora in landlocked Co. Monaghan (H32)!

Alexis FitzGerald Email: alexisfitzgeraldibn@gmail.com On 23rd July 2024, I visited a large (former) rock/gravel quarry (located at Irish Grid reference H81893.20029) on the north-western outskirts of Castleblayney, just south of the R183 road, in eastern Co. Monaghan (H32). The quarry is no longer operational, as it was decommissioned by Roadstone Ltd. c. 15 years ago and subsequently sold, and is now used primarily for the storage/dumping of various materials. The bedrock in this locality is Ordovician metasedimentary rock, most likely ‘greywackes’ (mudstone and muddy sandstones), and with a significant amount of drumlinised glacial till subsoil overlaying the bedrock (Meehan, 2024). The soil in this area is thus predominantly acidic in nature, with perhaps some local mineral-rich seepage derived from water percolating through the large amounts of exposed rock and subsoil present in the surrounding area and settling on the quarry floor.

I noted the location and existence of the disused quarry many years before and thought it likely to make for tantalising botanising, but contact with the landowner was only achieved in the summer of 2024, after many years of trying. Below is presented an account of that fortunate visit. The nomenclature of the vascular plant species recorded below follows Stace (2019), whilst those bryophytes mentioned follow Atherton et al. (2010).

The quarry is approximately 20 hectares in size. The eastern end of the quarry was scattered with large mounds of gravel, strewn rock and other dumped materials, alongside abandoned quarry processing buildings and old truck parking areas. A few (seemingly permanent) small mineral-enriched rainwater ponds also occur in this area, whilst a much more substantial deeply flooded quarry pit covers most of the western section of the quarry, itself being approximately five hectares in size. This flooding appears to have taken place in 1995, as the online Tailte Éireann © GeoHive Map Viewer (https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=3ae19cc156bf4706a929304b f8fcc4f6) shows both 1995 and 1996 aerial imagery, and only in 1996 does it become fully flooded. The quarry is mostly bounded by steep, tall, exposed acid metasedimentary rock and gravel slopes to the south. The vegetation in the quarry (according to Fossitt (2000) classification) was predominantly classifiable as Buildings and artificial surfaces (BL3), Exposed sand, gravel or till (ED1), Spoil and bare ground (ED2) and Recolonising bare ground (ED3), with scattered areas of Scrub (WS1). The large flooded quarry pit is represented by the Other artificial lakes and ponds (FL8) habitat type. Woodlands have developed along the southern margins of the site in some areas, but these were not explored in any great detail on this particular excursion, such was the extent and interest of the open ground on site.

Upon finally visiting the quarry in July 2024, my attention was very quickly drawn to two massive mounds of evidently coastal-origin sand with shells and rocks which had been dumped on site. These mounds were dumped here sometime after March 2022, as the mounds were visible only after that date on Google Earth © historical imagery (2023 imagery is missing but the mounds are then clearly visible on the April 2024 imagery) PAGE 65

(https://earth.google.com/). I was utterly surprised to be presented with an almost fullyfledged coastal Irish flora which had developed on the sand, almost certainly from wild seed that was carried along within the sand. The species assemblage was reminiscent of some (eastern) Irish coastal sand dune/salt marsh habitats, particularly Upper salt marsh (CM2) (Puccinellia maritima, Cochlearia officinalis, Festuca rubra agg., etc.) grading into Embryonic dunes (CD1) (Cakile maritima, Atriplex prostrata, A. littoralis, Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima, etc.) (see back cover). The salt content within the sand was evidently sufficient to support the growth of these species, at least in the short term. The vegetation was also influenced by the local Monaghan inland ruderal and grassland species which occur in the vicinity and which also seeded successfully on the mounds, indicating that the salt content was not so high as to preclude their growth either.

Below is presented a table of all of the 59 vascular plant and two bryophyte species recorded from ‘sand mound 1’. Predominantly coastal species are given in bold type, whilst new county records are denoted by the code NCR in brackets after the relevant species: Trifolium pratense

Crepis sp. (not yet in fruit)

Reseda luteola

Cirsium arvense

Sonchus asper Holcus mollis

Euphorbia helioscopia Cerastium glomeratum

Atriplex prostrata (NCR)

Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima (NCR)

Senecio vulgaris subsp. vulgaris

Ranunculus sceleratus

Fumaria purpurea var. brevisepala (sepals 4.5-5 mm x 3 mm, very toothed on margins) (NCR for var.)

Cochlearia officinalis (NCR)

Fumaria officinalis subsp. officinalis

Leucanthemum vulgare

Tussilago farfara

Cochlearia danica

Chenopodium album

Trifolium repens Puccinellia maritima (NCR) Cakile maritima (NCR)

Plantago lanceolata Stachys palustris

Plantago major

Urtica dioica subsp. dioica

Chaenorhinum minus

Polygonum aviculare s.s.

Capsella bursapastoris

Elytrigia repens f. aristatus (confirmed by Michael Wilcox, 01/12/2024)

Agrostis stolonifera var. stolonifera Festuca rubra agg.

Atriplex littoralis (NCR) Raphanus raphanistru m subsp. maritimus (NCR for subsp.)

Poa annua

Spergularia media (NCR)

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Pseudoscler opodium purum

Homalothecium sericeum

Dactylis glomerata

Leontodon autumnalis

Prunella vulgaris

Lotus corniculatus var. maritimus (NCR for var.)

Rumex obtusifolius

Tripleurosp ermum maritimum (NCR) Galium aparine

Pilosella officinarum (not in flower) Holcus lanatus

Stellaria media

Cerastium fontanum

Trifolium dubium

Arenaria serpyllifolia

Veronica chamaedrys

Arrhenatherum elatius

Veronica persica

Potentilla anserina

Jacobaea vulgaris

Fumaria bastardii var. bastardii Sagina procumbens

Barbarea intermedia Rumex crispus (not in flower)

Ranunculus repens

Cochlearia danica (Danish Scurvygrass) is one of the predominantly coastal species recorded from sand mound 1. This species was in fact first recorded in Monaghan by myself in May 2023 on a salt-treated roadside. I observed hundreds of plants along a c. 200 metre stretch of verge by the N2 road just NE of Carrickmacross (at H8450.0477). This would appear to be one of the few inland records for this coastal species from the north midlands of Ireland (particularly south of the Northern Ireland border). This species is comparatively prolific on inland salt-treated roadsides (particularly on motorways/national roads) in neighbouring Co. Armagh (BSBI, 2025), where it has been establishing slowly for almost three decades (John Faulkner, pers. comm., December 2024). Likely reasons for this discrepancy in occurrences between neighbouring counties include the comparative lack of major roadways (e.g. motorways) in Monaghan, such roads also having a generally greater need for frequent salt treatments. Under-recording at the appropriate time of year may also play its part (John Faulkner, pers. comm., December 2024).

Natural salt marsh vegetation occurs inland in some parts of mainland Europe, including one known site in Britain, ‘Pasturefields Salt Marsh’ in Shropshire and Staffordshire (JNCC, 2024; Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, 2024). This habitat corresponds with the priority EU Habitats Directive Annex I habitat [*1340] Inland salt meadows (EUNIS, 2024). However, these salt-treated roadside vegetation examples are not considered to correspond with this Annex I habitat as they are not naturally occurring but rather are created purely by the actions of man. The Annex I habitat, although still rare, is much more widespread in mainland Europe compared to Ireland and Britain (pers. obs., 2015-2024).

Other notable predominantly coastal species recorded in Monaghan in the past include Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani (Grey Club-rush) and Rumex crispus subsp. littoreus (Curled Dock), both species having been observed by the late John Harron in the 1990s-2000s. Both of these species are exceedingly rare in inland localities in Ireland (BSBI, 2025), although the former species may be somewhat under-recorded/overlooked for S. lacustris inland.

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‘Sand mound 2’ to the immediate south of mound 1 supported the following additional ten vascular plant species which were not recorded on mound 1: Cymbalaria muralis

Lapsana communis

Sonchus oleraceus

Lolium perenne

Myosotis arvensis

Persicaria lapathifolia var. lapathifolia

Mycelis muralis

Brassica rapa

Calystegia sp. (not in flower)

Epilobium ciliatum

Exploring the lands further, a small quarry pond occurs in the east of the site (at H81906.19958), likely derived from rainwater collected in this lower-lying area. The water here is somewhat mineral-enriched, probably due to local mineral seepage derived from water percolating through the large amounts of exposed rock and subsoil present in the surrounding area and settling on the quarry floor. The water was shallow enough to wade through with Wellington boots, but was seemingly permanent. In this pond, the following species were recorded in the pond and on its damp margins, including two charophytes and two new county record bryophyte species: Chara vulgaris

Dactylorhiza fuchsii

Preissia quadrata (confirmed

by Rory Hodd, 27/07/2024) (NCR) Centaurium erythraea

Chara globularis var. annulata Equisetum fluviatile

Carex lepidocarpa

Euphrasia agg.

Linum catharticum

Myosotis laxa

Equisetum palustre

Calliergonella cuspidata

Cratoneuron filicinum

Juncus articulatus

Juncus acutiflorus

Juncus bufonius s.s.

Bryum pseudotriquetrum

Ditrichum gracile (confirmed

by Rory Hodd, 27/07/2024) (NCR) Pellia endiviifolia

The much larger flooded quarry pit in the west of the site was inaccessible for botanical surveys, but was almost certainly devoid of plant life (perhaps due to toxic mineral/metal loads in the water). Elsewhere in the quarry, the following aliens were also observed as selfsown examples, mostly occurring in areas of Scrub or Recolonising bare ground: Cotoneaster horizontalis (Wall Cotoneaster), Cotoneaster simonsii (Himalayan PAGE 68

Cotoneaster), Buddleia davidii (Butterfly-bush), Hypericum sp. (a St. John’s-wort) (alien, but not in flower), and Alnus cordata (Italian Alder) (NCR).

One wonders where the sand mounds might have come from. Atriplex littoralis (Grass-leaved Orache) was indeed present in the assemblage, and this coastal species is frequent along the eastern Irish coastline from Co. Louth (H31) south to Co. Dublin (H21) (BSBI, 2025). Therefore, I consider the most likely area of origin to be the coastline of either Co. Louth or Co. Meath (H22), and this would also be the most geographically proximate area, which is generally favoured when moving such relatively cheap raw materials.

I would like to return next year to see if the sand mounds are still there and if anything has survived or perhaps even spread or newly sown. At the very least, this single quarry visit yielded 12 new vascular plant county records (including 11 predominantly coastal Irish species), and two new bryophyte county records, for Monaghan! All of the above vascular plant records are additions to my recently published Flora of County Monaghan book (FitzGerald, 2024), and so the total count of vascular plant and charophyte taxa in the county has now been raised to 1,329 taxa. If anything, it shows that there is always more to be found in the county, if you look in the right places, and stay persistent with access permissions!

Acknowledgements I would like to thank the landowner of the disused quarry for permission to access the lands and record the biodiversity there, and for providing some recent history on it. Thanks also to John Faulkner for answering my query on Cochlearia danica populations in Co. Armagh.

References Atherton, I., Bosanquet, S. & Lawley, M. (2010). Mosses and Liverworts of Britain and Ireland: A Field Guide.

Latimer Trend & Co., Plymouth.

Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (2025). BSBI Distribution Database. Available at: https://database.bsbi.org/. Accessed: 4th January 2025.

EUNIS (2024). Inland salt meadows. Available at: https://eunis.eea.europa.eu/habitats/10021. Accessed: 28th December 2024.

Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (2024). * Inland salt meadows. Available at: https://www.bfn.de/en/natura-2000-habitats/inland-salt-meadows. Accessed: 28th December 2024.

FitzGerald, A. (2024). Flora of County Monaghan. Wordwell, Dublin.

Fossitt, J.A. (2000). A Guide to Habitats in Ireland. The Heritage Council, Church Lane, Kilkenny, Ireland.

JNCC (2024).

1340 Inland salt meadows.

Available at: https://sac.jncc.gov.uk/habitat/H1340/#:~:text=Inland%20salt%20meadows%20refer%20to,Puccinell ia%20distans%20salt%2Dmarsh%20community. Accessed: 28th December 2024.

Meehan, R. (2024). The physical endowment of County Monaghan. In: FitzGerald, A. Flora of County Monaghan.

Wordwell, Dublin, pp. 1-14.

Stace, C. (2019). New Flora of the British Isles. 4th edition. C & M Floristics, Suffolk.

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Re-find of Hymenophyllum tunbrigense (Tunbridge Filmy-fern) in Longford (H24) where first recorded by Frederick J. Foot in 1864 Donncha Ó Catháin, No. 10 Clover Hill, Ennis, Co. Clare Email: don.ocathain@gmail.com I came across an interesting account by 19 th Century geologist Frederick James Foot, in which he describes finding Hymenophyllum tunbrigense (Tunbridge Filmy-fern) on a rock exposure near the road from Longford town to Ballymahon (Foot, 1864). A detailed description of his record is provided, which was located ‘...just at the junction of the townlands of Commock and Curraghmore…’, where he found a single patch of H. tunbrigense amongst outcropping Old Red Sandstone conglomerate rocks. The record is listed in Moore & More’s Cybele Hibernica (1866), and later in R.L Praeger’s Irish Topographical Botany (1901) and The Botanist in Ireland (1934); in the latter Praeger cites ‘an old record for Hymenophyllum tunbridgense [H. tunbrigense] – rare in central Ireland – “in the neighbourhood of Longford,” which seems an unlikely station’. The record is also listed in the entry for H. tunbrigense in The Flora of County Longford (Howard, 1986).

Considering the detailed description of the locality provided in Foot’s account, I decided a search would be worthwhile. On 4th January 2025, I visited the location and was pleased to find H. tunbrigense, growing, as described, ‘...at the foot of a low cliff having a western aspect’ (Foot, 1864). This ‘low cliff’ (see page 43) was approximately 2m in height, with water trickling along vertical cervices in the rockface, and was particularly wet around where the Hymenophyllum was growing. A number of smaller adjoining mats of Hymenophyllum were also recorded higher up on the rockface directly above the larger patch at the base of the cliff. The site is well sheltered by trees.

I searched other rocks in the surrounding area but didn’t find further populations, therefore suggesting this was likely the very same location of Foot’s 1864 record. This appears to be a notable outlying population of H. tunbrigense, in respect of its distribution in Ireland, as it is largely absent from the midlands. Foot (1864) attributed the presence of H. tunbrigense at this station to the localised presence of Old Red Sandstone within a region of predominantly low-lying limestone geology: ‘Its habitat is always on the older rocks, and particularly those of the Old Red Sandstone. Why is this? We do not find it on limestone, because a calcareous soil is injurious to the welfare of the plant. But why do we not meet with it on the quartzose grits and sandstones of the Coal measures, which frequently, as in the counties of Cork, Kerry, and Clare, form wild hills, with rugged crags and cliffs, apparently well suited for Hymenophyllum? I believe this to be a question intimately connected with the geological history of the country.’

I wonder if Foot’s questions could perhaps be addressed by considering the water retaining characteristics of the rocks where the fern is found; Hymenophyllum tunbrigense occurs at an outlying station in the dry climate of south-east England due to the presence of highly permeable sandrock outcrops, which retain moisture through the summer months (Rich & Rumsey, 2004). There are also notable isolated populations in continental Europe, including on moist sandstone rocks in western parts of the Vosges Mountains, France (Muller et al., 2006), and the 'Petite Suisse' sandstone region of eastern Luxembourg PAGE 70

(Krippel, 2005). On a more localised scale, based on my observations of this plant in County Clare, Foot’s remarks above are generally accurate – Hymenophyllum tunbrigense is more frequent in east Clare on the Old Red Sandstone, and rarer (although not entirely absent) in the west of the county, where the bedrock geology comprises a mixture of younger rocks comprising layers of Namurian sandstone, mudstone, and shales (Foot’s ‘Coal Measures’).

This relative scarcity in of H. tunbrigense in west Co. Clare is perhaps related to the fact that sandstone occurs with these other rock types, which may not provide an optimal substrate.

While working for the Geological Survey of Ireland, Frederick J. Foot made significant contributions to the study of the flora of Ireland before his untimely death in a tragic drowning accident in 1887. In addition to his geological work, he wrote a number of papers on natural history and has been described as ‘undoubtedly the most important scientific visitor to The Burren in the nineteenth century’ (Nelson & Walsh, 1991).

References Foot, F.J. (1864). On the occurrence of Hymenophyllum Tunbridgense (Smith) in the county of Longford, with a list of stations of Cystopteris fragilis (Bernh.) in the midland counties. Proceedings of the Natural History Society of Dublin 4: 106-108.

Heuertz, M. (1933). A propos des conditions de milieu de la station luxembourgeoise d’Hymenophyllum tunbridgense (L.) Sm. Bulletin de la Société des naturalistes luxembourgeois 43: 69-74.

Howard, J.T. (1986). The Flora of County Longford. Unpublished MSc thesis. Available at: https://www.botanicgardens.ie/2017/08/01/flora-of-county-longford/. Accessed 22nd March 2025.

Krippel, Y. (2005). The Hymenophyllaceae (Pteridophyta) in Luxembourg. Past, present and future. Ferrantia 44: 209-214.

Moore, D. & More, A.G. (1866). Contributions towards a Cybele Hibernica. Hodges, Smith & Co., Dublin.

Muller, S., Jerôme, C. & Mahevas, T. (2006). Habitat assessment, phytosociology and conservation of the Tunbridge Filmy-fern Hymenophyllum tunbrigense (L) Sm. in its isolated locations in the Vosges Mountains. Biodiversity & Conservation 15: 1027–1041.

Nelson, E.C. & Walsh, W.F. (1991). The Burren: a companion to the wildflowers of an Irish limestone wilderness.

Boethius Press, Aberystwyth & The Conservancy of The Burren, Ennis.

Praeger, R.L. (1901). Irish Topographical Botany. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, third series 7: vclxxxviii, 1-410.

Praeger. R.L. (1934). The botanist in Ireland. Hodges, Figgis and Co., Dublin.

Rich, T. & Rumsey, F. (2004). Plate 490. Hymenophyllum tunbrigense Hymenophyllaceae. Curtis’s Botanical Magazine 21: 70-76.

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Annotated checklist of Dryopteris Adans. in Co. Meath (H22) Margaret Norton, Tinode, Manor Kilbride, Blessington, Co. Wicklow Email: kilnorbot200@gmail.com Ferns of the genus Dryopteris are widespread throughout Co. Meath (H22), the individual taxa often associated with different habitat types. While some species are well recorded in the county, taxa within the apomictic complex of D. affinis (Scaly Male-ferns) have received scant attention. A workshop during August 2023 on Dryopteris, hosted by the Dublin Naturalists’ Field Club and conducted by Alison Evans and Roger Golding of the PAGE 71

British Pteridological Society, provided the opportunity for the determination of specimens accumulated by MN. Fieldwork in 2023 by Evans and Golding, accompanied by MN, provided additional records from the county.

The following list employs the taxonomy, nomenclature and sequence adopted by Sell & Murrell (2018). The name under which the first record was made is given where this differs to current taxonomy and nomenclature. The status follows Jebb (2019). A general statement on the distribution and relative frequency of each taxon, and its main habitat types within the county is presented. A first record may be based on a herbarium specimen, a hitherto unpublished field record or a published record. In the former two instances, the first published record may also be cited. Additional locations are only given for taxa with fewer known records. Place names are as stated in the original record, some referring solely to hectads based on the British Grid Extension (BGX), and as such do not indicate precise locations. No attempt has been made to apply Irish National Grid references to such records.

Place names of post-1987 records follow the Discovery Series maps, scale 1:50000 (Ordnance Survey (of) Ireland, 1992-2025) and are accompanied by four-figure Irish National Grid references. Initials are used to identify recorders as follows: AE (Alison Evans), DMcC (David McClintock), DS (Donal Synnott), MN (Margaret Norton), RG (Roger Golding) and RLP (Robert L. Praeger). Surnames are given for determiners and authors of published works. Annotations by Praeger (1896-1900) in his copy for Meath of The London catalogue of British plants (Hanbury, 1895) are denoted by RLP-ms. Some records are supported by herbarium specimens lodged in DBN (National Botanic Gardens, Dublin). Comments by MN are in square brackets [].

Dryopteris filix-mas (L.) Schott Male-fern Native. Widespread and common, often locally plentiful. In partial shade on both base-poor and base-rich soils, though perhaps more plentiful on the latter where there is less Dryopteris affinis complex. Common in broadleaved woodlands and mixed plantations, hedgebanks, ditch banks, roadside and trackway verges; occasional on slopes of disused quarries, railway embankments, rock outcrops and walls. Wollaston (1875) was the first to propose the division of the then-named Lastrea filix-mas into L. filix-mas (now D. filixmas), L. propinqua (now D. oreades) (Mountain Male-fern) and L. pseudo-mas (now D. affinis [complex]). Cytological evidence for this separation was subsequently provided by Manton (1950). Of those taxa, only L. filix-mas was recorded from Ireland in Irish Topographical Botany (Praeger, 1901), indicating that the name was applied in a ‘preWollastonian’ sense. Thus, in the absence of voucher specimens, early records may have referred to either the now-named D. filix-mas or the D. affinis complex [the occurrence of the mountain fern D. oreades being extremely unlikely in Meath].

First record: of D. filix-mas s.s./D. affinis complex: as Lastrea filix-mas, Drogheda to Boyne Obelisk 1896 (RLP-ms.); H22 (Praeger, 1901).

First record: of D. filix-mas [s.s.]: BGX-14/02 – Duleek & Balrath 1952 (DMcC); H22 (Perring & Walters, 1962).

Dryopteris affinis complex Mapped as D. borreri (Borrer’s Male-fern) in the Atlas of the British Flora (Perring & Walters, 1962) and as D. affinis (which then included subspecies affinis, cambrensis and PAGE 72

borreri) in the New Atlas of the British and Irish Flora (Preston et al., 2002), the taxonomic treatment of the Dryopteris affinis complex (in particular the ranking of taxa) varies greatly and is still evolving. An account of the historical studies on this apomictic complex is given

by Pigott (2014). In recent years, taxa within the complex have alternatively been treated at species level (Fraser-Jenkins, 2007; Stace, 2010; Trewren, 2014; Sell & Murrell, 2018) and at subspecies level (Stace, 2019; Fraser-Jenkins, 2022). The complex in Meath, applying the species approach adopted by Sell & Murrell (2018), is represented by D. affinis s.l., D. borreri, D. lacunosa (Pitted Male-fern), D. cambrensis (Narrow Male-fern) and D. paleaceolobata (in decreasing order of frequency). This aligns with the taxonomy applied in Plant Atlas 2020 (Stroh et al., 2023) by Rumsey (2023), who considers that treatment at species level is most consistent with treatments of other apomicts, and that such treatment best reflects the genetic and evolutionary distinctiveness of the Dryopteris taxa.

First record: of D. affinis [complex]: as D. borreri, BGX-14/13 – Drogheda 1955 (DMcC); H22 (Perring & Walters, 1962).

Dryopteris affinis (Lowe) Fraser-Jenk. s.l. Golden-scaled Male-fern Native. Widespread and common. Partial shade, most frequent on the base-poor soils in the northern half of Meath. Woodlands; hedgebanks; shaded roadside and trackway verges; dry ditches. Sell & Murrell (2018) use the name D. affinis in the broad sense (D. affinis s.l.) rather than in the strict sense (D. affinis s.s.), stating that this apomitic aggregate needs further division into species [additional to those already described]. Material from Meath examined by Evans and Golding in 2023 suggested that, in addition to D. affinis s.s., several as yet undescribed forms are represented within the county.

First record: as D. affinis ssp. affinis, WNW-facing sloped woodland (sycamore grove) above the R. Boyne, Donore, Drogheda 1965 (DS DBN, det. Fraser-Jenkins 1988); H22 (Fraser-Jenkins, 2007).

Dryopteris affinis x D. filix-mas = D. x complexa Fraser-Jenk. nothossp. complexa A hybrid between two native species. A single record. Both parents are common in the county, and thus the hybrid may be under-recorded.

First record: as D. x complexa nothossp. complexa, WNW-facing sloped woodland (sycamore grove) above the R. Boyne, Donore, with both parents 1965 (DS DBN, det.

Fraser-Jenkins 1988); H22 (Fraser-Jenkins, 2007).

Dryopteris lacunosa S. Jess., Zenner, Ch. Stark & Bujnoch Pitted Male-fern Included within the native D. affinis agg. by Jebb (2019). Localised and occasional. Basepoor soils, most usually in partial shade. Hedgebanks; roadside verges; a disused quarry.

Recorded from the shaley soils in the western half of the drumlin belt of N Meath, and basepoor soils near Slane and on Slieve Breagh.

First record: disused quarry of volcanic rock overlain by black shales just N of Grangegeeth Cross Roads [N of Slane] N9579, 1991 (MN, det. Evans & Golding 2023).

Additional records: all det. Evans & Golding 2023: Drumlin belt of N Meath: gley soil with shale component at Lisnaboy, c. 2 km E of Teevurcher N7292, 2002 (MN); roadside verge of wooded valley at Kilmainhamwood N7690, 2017 (MN); Rathstephen, N of Moynalty N7385, 2023 (MN); roadside verge at Doon Cross Roads N7291, 2023 (MN); PAGE 73

roadside verge in two locations at Boggan N7488 & N7489, 2023 (AE, RG & MN). Near Slane: wooded slope at Crewbane [E of Slane] N9973, 1991 (MN); bank of shaded dry ditch, the soil acidic and of low fertility, on NE slope of Slieve Breagh [N of Slane] N9380, 2020 (MN) & 2023 (AE, RG & MN).

Dryopteris paleaceolobata (T. Moore) P.D. Sell Greater Scaly Male-fern Included within the native D. affinis agg. by Jebb (2019). A single recorded site in Meath, the known distribution of this taxa in Ireland is as yet very limited (Stroh et al., 2023).

Littlewood is located to the NE of Slane in an area covered by a type of gley soil, the parent material consisting of a till of shale, limestone and some sandstone.

First record: sparsely on partially shaded bank of woodland margin at Littlewood, c. 2 km NE of Slane N9775, 2022 (MN, det. Evans & Golding 2023).

Additional record: still at Littlewood, in partial shade beneath Corylus avellana (Hazel) and Acer pseudoplantanus (Sycamore) N9775, 2023 (AE, RG & MN, ploidy level confirmed by flow cytometry).

Dryopteris cambrensis (Fraser-Jenk.) Beitel & W.R. Buck Narrow Male-fern Native. Localised and uncommon. Hedgerow margins and hedgebanks; an unshaded dry ditch. It occurs on acidic soils of low fertility at Slieve Breagh and shaley base-poor soils in the western half of the drumlin belt of N Meath. Elsewhere in Ireland, the known distribution of this calcifuge is very limited (Stroh et al., 2023).

First record: Slieve Breagh N9380, 2013 (MN, det. Rumsey).

Additional records: still at Slieve Breagh, several clumps scattered by roadside in unshaded dry ditch N9280 & N9380, 2023 (AE, RG & MN); several clumps at base of roadside hedge at Carrickspringan [western half of N Meath] N7386, 2023 (AE, RG & MN); overgrown roadside hedgebank at Boggan [western half of N Meath] N7488, 2023 (AE, RG & MN).

Dryopteris borreri (Newman) Tavel Borrer’s Male-fern Native. Widespread and common. Partial shade, on base-rich and base-poor soils.

Woodlands; hedgebanks; roadside and trackway verges; a railway embankment. The name D. borreri as used in the 1960s (Perring & Walters, 1962; Tutin et al., 1964) was subsequently replaced by D. affinis [in the complex sense] (Fraser-Jenkins, 1979).

Therefore, in the absence of voucher specimens the exact identity of early records of D. borreri cannot be securely established.

First record: of D. borreri [s.s.], Lough Shesk N6168, 1990 (MN, det. Evans & Golding 2023).

Dryopteris borreri x D. filix-mas = D. x critica (Fraser-Jenk.) Fraser-Jenk.

A hybrid between two native species. A single record. Both parents are widespread and common in the county, and thus the hybrid may be under-recorded.

First record: a single plant in shaded woodland at Littlewood, with both parents N9775, 2023 (AE & RG, ploidy level confirmed by flow cytometry).

[Dryopteris aemula (Aiton) Kuntze

Hay-scented Buckler-fern PAGE 74

Recorded for Meath as Lastrea aemula in the Census catalogue of the flora of Ireland (Scannell & Synnott, 1987) based on a specimen from Ross 1885 (RLP DBN; Scannell & Synnott, 1990). Microscopic examination of the specimen by MN failed to reveal any glands on the pinnules, the presence of which is a distinguishing feature of this species.

Furthermore, the predominately limestone nature of the area at Ross conflicts with the preferred base-poor substrates of this fern. The 1885 record was not listed in Irish Topographical Botany (Praeger, 1901). The record is therefore unreliable and best deleted.]

Dryopteris carthusiana (Vill.) H.P. Fuchs Narrow Buckler-fern Native. Scattered locations, uncommon, nowhere plentiful. Margins of cutover raised bogs.

First record(s): as Lastrea spinulosa, bog 4 miles ENE of Athboy 1896 (RLP-ms.); bog between Athboy and Navan [most probably the record from bog 4 miles ENE of Athboy] 1896 (Praeger, 1897).

Dryopteris carthusiana x D. dilatata = D. x deweveri (J.T. Jansen) Wacht.

A hybrid between two native species. A single recorded site in Meath, the known distribution of this taxon in Ireland is as yet very limited (Stroh et al., 2023).

First record: remnant of cutover bog on fringe of coniferous plantation at Springville N6872, 2023 (MN, conf. Golding 2024).

Dryopteris dilatata (Hoffm.) A. Gray Broad Buckler-fern Native. Widespread and common. Shaded, humus-rich, base-poor soils. Broadleaved and mixed woodlands; conifer plantations and tree-felled areas; scrubby margins of raised bogs and of fen peat; banks of shaded roadsides and of damp ditches.

First record(s): as Lastrea dilatata, bog 2 miles W of Ferns Lock, 1896 (RLP-ms.); H22 (Praeger, 1901).

Acknowledgements A huge debt of gratitude is due to Alison Evans and Roger Golding for their expertise and time so generously shared during fieldwork in Co. Meath and during the Dublin Naturalists’ Field Club (DNFC) workshop on Dryopteris in August 2023. Their determination of specimens, particularly those of the taxonomically challenging Dryopteris affinis complex, was invaluable. Many thanks to the DNFC for hosting the workshop, thus providing the opportunity to advance the knowledge of Dryopteris taxa present in Co. Meath and several other vice counties in Ireland. Sincere thanks also to Matthew Jebb (Director of the National Botanic Gardens) for providing a venue for the workshop, to both he and Colin Kelleher (Keeper of the National Herbarium) for access to specimens at DBN, and to Rachael Hynes (Chief Librarian of the National Herbarium) for providing access to manuscript materials.

References Fraser-Jenkins, C.R. (1979). A new name for a European Dryopteris. Fern Gazette 12: 56.

Fraser-Jenkins, C.R. (2007). The species and subspecies in the Dryopteris affinis group. Fern Gazette 18: 1-26.

Fraser-Jenkins, C.R. (2022). The Dryopteris wallichiana and D. affinis complexes of Asia and Europe (Pteridophyta, Dryopteridaceae), with subspecies as the more appropriate rank. Indian Fern Journal 39: 115-129.

Hanbury, F.J. (1895). The London Catalogue of British plants. 9th edition. George Bell & Sons, London.

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Jebb, M. (2019). Vascular plant synonym workbook. National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin. Online at: http://botanicgardens.ie/science-and-learning/irish-flora-records. Accessed: 1st January 2021.

Manton, I. (1950). Problems of cytology and evolution in the Pteridophyta. Cambridge University Press, London.

Perring, F.H. & Walters, S.M. (eds.) (1962). Atlas of the British flora. Thomas Nelson & Sons, London.

Pigott, A. (2014). An historical note on the study of the Dryopteris affinis complex. In: Trewren, K. (eds. Pigott, A.C. & Evans, A.J.) Some taxa within the Dryopteris affinis complex: a field guide. Special publication No.13. The British Pteridological Society, London, pp. iv-v.

Praeger, R.L. (1896-1900). Annotated copy for Meath of The London catalogue of British plants (9th edition).

Unpublished manuscript, original retained in the library of the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin.

Praeger, R.L. (1897). Irish plants, collected chiefly in the province of Leinster in 1896. Irish Naturalist 6: 89-100.

Praeger, R.L. (1901). Irish Topographical Botany. Proceeding of the Royal Irish Academy, third series 7: vclxxxviii, 1-410.

Preston, C.D., Pearman, D.A. & Dines, T.D. (eds.) (2002). New Atlas of the British and Irish flora. Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Rumsey, F.J. (2023) Dryopteris affinis agg. In: Stroh, P.A., Walker, K.J., Humphrey, T.A., Pescott, O. L. & Burkmar, R.J. (eds.) Plant Atlas 2020: mapping changes in the distribution of the British and Irish flora 1. Durham & Princeton University Press, Princeton & Oxford, p. 75.

Scannell, M.J.P. & Synnott, D.M. (1987). Census catalogue of the flora of Ireland. 2nd edition. Stationery Office, Dublin.

Scannell, M.J.P. & Synnott, D.M. (1990). Records for the census catalogue of the flora of Ireland in the Herbarium, National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin. Occasional Papers 5. National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin Sell, P. & Murrell, G. (2018). Flora of Great Britain and Ireland. Volume 1: Lycopodiaceae - Salicaceae.

Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

Stace, C. (2010). New Flora of the British Isles. 3rd edition. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

Stace, C. (2019). New Flora of the British Isles. 4th edition. C & M Floristics, Suffolk.

Stroh, P.A., Walker, K.J., Humphrey, T.A., Pescott, O.L. & Burkmar, R.J. (eds.) (2023). Plant Atlas 2020: mapping changes in the distribution of the British and Irish flora. Two volumes. Durham & Princeton University Press, Princeton & Oxford.

Trewren, K. (2014). Some taxa within the Dryopteris affinis complex: a field guide. Special publication No.13.

The British Pteridological Society, London.

Tutin, T.G., Heywood, V.H., Burges, N.A., Valentine, D.H., Walters, S.M. & Webb, D.A. (1964). Flora Europaea 1: Lycopodiaceae to Platanaceae. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

Wollaston, G.B. (1875). [Untitled paper read by Wollaston] The occasional paper of the British Pteridological Society 1: 9-13.

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Vaccinium vitis-idaea (Cowberry) returns to Co. Carlow (H13), and how I had overlooked it Paul R. Green Email: paulbsbivcr4h12@gmail.com In the last issue of Irish Botanical News (Green, 2024), I wrote about Vaccinium vitis-idaea (Cowberry) being found new for Co. Wexford (H12) and the lost record of Co. Carlow (H13).

Brian Dunne contacted me after reading my article to say he had found it on peat hags in August 2023 on the Co. Carlow side of the Blackstairs Mountains on the north-west slope of Mount Leinster. Peat hags are isolated mounds of vegetated peat. These are what remain from turf cutting, and erosion on this exposed mountain landscape.

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It was one of the easiest plants I have had to try and find as Brian had given me a Google Maps link to where he had found his Cowberry. All I had to do was follow the dot on the screen of my mobile. I was able to walk straight to the Cowberry. This is the first time I have used a link to look for a plant. The Cowberry occurred on several of the peat hags, and was much more frequent than I was expecting.

I then dropped back down to the tarmac road which ascends to the top of Mount Leinster, which I have walked up on four previous occasions over the last 15 years. The only vehicles that have access along this road are those of staff maintaining the communications mast on the summit of Mount Leinster. I don’t know if it was that I had just seen Cowberry and my eyes were tuned in to it. As to my shock it was abundant in places on the banks on either side of the access road. It formed a number of large patches, the biggest stretching for over 10m. How could I have overlooked the Cowberry when there were large stands of it? It is a 2.5 km steep climb from the public car park at the base of the access road to the communications mast. A climb of 395m, which usually takes me about 40 minutes, only stopping to admire the Huperzia selago (Fir Clubmoss) which is occasionally dotted about amongst the heather. My feeble excuse for overlooking the Cowberry in the past was that I was determined to reach the summit and be in Co. Wexford to start recording for the Flora of County Wexford (Green, 2022) as soon as possible.

The work isn’t finished yet as there is still H.C. Hart’s missing record of Cowberry he saw in 1882 to refind on the Co. Carlow side of Blackstairs Mountain which is approximately 8.5 km south of where Brian and I saw the Cowberry. Hopefully a job for the summer of 2025!

References Green, P. (2022). Flora of County Wexford. Privately published, Yoletown, Co. Wexford.

Green, P.R. (2024). Vaccinium vitis-idaea (Cowberry) a new species for the Co. Wexford (H12) side of the Blackstairs Mountains, and the overlooked Co. Carlow (H13) record. Irish Botanical News 34: 35-36.

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A tribute to the late Matt Murphy (1935 – 2025), founder and director of Sherkin Island Marine Station, West Cork (H3) Tony O’Mahony, 6 Glenthorn Way, Dublin Hill, Cork City Within the realm of Irish Natural History, very few naturalists can look back with satisfaction on decades of dedicated, productive, continuous scientific research and publications at the local, regional and national level. Yet this phenomenal achievement was attained by Matt Murphy during the time period c. 1976 – 2019! As so often happens in life, the catalyst for the trajectory of Matt’s major life’s work, hinged on a simple event – a weekend holiday in 1953 on Sherkin Island, off the coastal village of Baltimore, West Cork (H3), which sparked an intense desire in him, to own a home on this island. This ambition was part-realised in 1964, when Matt purchased a small house and fifteen acres on Sherkin, with the intention of eventually living there – though “the great adventure”, as he later called it, didn’t happen until August 1971, when Matt, his wife Eileen and their five young PAGE 77

children, moved to the island permanently. (Note: At a later date, Matt provided an excellent, insightful, historically detailed account of how events unfolded for his ambitious and unprecedented project, in subsequent years and decades, in a paper entitled: ’40 years of Sherkin Island Marine Station’, which appeared on page 5 of the journal Sherkin Comment, Issue No. 59 (2015)). That paper also outlined the genesis of shoreline ecology monitoring on Sherkin Island in the summer of 1975, the work initially being undertaken by five young student volunteers, all of whom were studying for a science degree in UCC. More importantly, this initial study heralded the tentative beginning of Matt’s dream – the birthing of Sherkin Island Marine Station! Matt was a visionary, but with his feet planted firmly on solid ground, and his mind on the attainable. Then, events gathered momentum during the time period 1976 – 1979, with the building of the first marine laboratory, which coincided with the arrival of a field group of volunteers from Bangor University in North Wales, followed by student volunteers from Swansea University, the University of Amsterdam, and also a group from the British Natural History Museum in London. In later years, Sherkin Island Marine Station boasted four laboratories and five library units, which provided essential facilities for the nearly 600 student volunteers that visited and worked here during the period 1975 – 2019, most of whom had third-level degrees.

The sheer scale of West Cork (H3) fieldwork that took place over the decades under the auspices of Sherkin Island Marine Station (i.e. marine and littoral, together with contrasting terrestrial botanical and ornithological studies), highlights the remarkable synthesis of innovative, organisational and communicative skills possessed by Matt Murphy – all buttressed and enhanced by his enormous enthusiasm, unremitting focus, and physical and mental energy, which latter qualities guaranteed that all of these scientific projects would be brought to published fruition. Another endearing and invaluable gift of this man was his affability, which ensured unhindered access (for plant recording purposes) to the many survey sites that resided on private property. This massive and protracted botanical survey, initially focused on the islands of Roaringwater Bay (i.e. Sherkin, Cape Clear and smaller adjacent islands), which resulted in two, important published works, namely: (1) The Wild Plants of Sherkin, Cape Clear and adjacent Islands of West Cork (Akeroyd, 1996) and (2) Supplement to the Wild Plants of Sherkin, Cape Clear and adjacent Islands of West Cork (Akeroyd et al., 2011). Subsequently, botanical survey work was extended to Bantry Bay (i.e. the islands of Bere, Dursey and Whiddy, etc.), which ultimately resulted in another milestone in the botanical recording of the vice-county of West Cork (H3), namely, the publication of the florula, The Wild Plants of Bere, Dursey, Whiddy and other Islands in Bantry Bay (Akeroyd, 2013). (Note: In the Foreword to this latter Florula, Matt gratefully acknowledged the 25 years of dedicated overseer work and book-editing of the marine station’s three botanical publications, undertaken by the professional English botanist, John Akeroyd.)

In one way or another, all of Matt’s seven offspring assisted the work of the marine station. In this respect, his married daughter, Susan Murphy Wickens, played a pivotal and vital role, as she expertly and efficiently provided the typeset and layout for all of the station’s publications! Other family members helped out by ferrying the volunteer botanical working groups to, and from, the various islands, while his son, Robbie, provided numerous, excellent photographs of wildflowers, animals and ecological habitats, for the various publications. In my view, the station’s quarterly environmental journal, Sherkin Comment, PAGE 78

stands apart as the supreme achievement of Matt’s career, and I would rate it as the best ever publication of its type to be produced in either Ireland or Britain! The editorship was shared by Matt and Susan, and its content had a unique international flavour and appeal, as experts in many fields of natural history the world over, willingly submitted current data on numerous subjects of vital importance for the future of planet Earth and its inhabitants.

Moreover, Matt’s fascinating and enlightening editorials in the various issues of this journal, revealed a deep and abiding concern for conservation issues worldwide. To this end, the novel and inventive section of the work in each issue devoted exclusively to the education of children, was a masterpiece of psychology and empathy, its aim being to inculcate in our future generations, a deep love and respect for wildlife and their everdwindling ecological habitats worldwide.

References Akeroyd, J. (ed.) (1996). The Wild Plants of Sherkin, Cape Clear and adjacent Islands of West Cork. Sherkin Island Marine Station, Co. Cork.

Akeroyd, J. (ed.) (2013). The Wild Plants of Bere, Dursey, Whiddy and other Islands of Bantry Bay. Sherkin Island Marine Station, Co. Cork.

Akeroyd, J., Wolstenholme, L. & Poole, J. (2011). Supplement to the Wild Plants of Sherkin, Cape Clear and adjacent Islands of West Cork. Sherkin Island Marine Station, Co. Cork.

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Vice-county Reports Recording in Sligo (H28) and Leitrim (H29) 2024 Eamon Gaughan Email: egaughan2016@gmail.com In 2024, over 23,000 records for Sligo (H28) and over 2,400 for Leitrim (H29) were added to the BSBI Database. Early in the year the uncommon Huperzia selago (Fir Clubmoss) was refound on the Glenfarne Plateau in Leitrim and near Lough Achree in the Ox Mountains in Sligo. During the year Robert and Hannah Northridge made trips to Sligo and in August found a large colony of Pimpinella saxifraga (Burnet Saxifrage) at Mullaghmore.

This taxon was last recorded in the hectad G75 in 1897 and is very rare in Sligo. In September they located the hybrid horsetail Equisetum x font-queri (E. telmateia x E. palustre). To date this hybrid is known only from Sligo.

In May Patricia McHugh found a new site for Tellima grandiflora (Fringecups) in Sligo town. In the same month Patricia and I saw Tragopogon pratensis (Goat’s-beard) and Crepis vesicaria (Beaked Hawk’s-beard) near the river in Sligo town. Both these nonnative species are rarely seen in the north-west of Ireland. The Goat’s-beard was last recorded in Sligo in 1993 and they were new sites for both species. Also, in May a group of us saw a fine colony of Neottia nidus-avis (Bird’s-nest Orchid) (see front cover) in Hazelwood. Although well known from these woods it hadn’t been seen there for some years.

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A few non-native species were recorded in Sligo for the first time; these include Euphorbia dulcis (Sweet Spurge), Senecio inaequidens (Narrow-leaved Ragwort), Reseda lutea (Wild Mignonette) (the last spotted on Rosses Point Golf Course by Mary McCormack), Cotoneaster rehderi (Bullate Cotoneaster), Prunus cerasifera (Cherry Plum), Lonicera japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle) & Thymus pulegioides (Large Thyme).

Throughout the year many uncommon species both native and alien were found in new sites (some in new hectads). These include Erophila glabrescens (Glabrous Whitlowgrass), Carex diandra (Lesser Tussock-sedge), Carex acutiformis (Lesser Pondsedge), Carex canescens (White Sedge), Equisetum variegatum (Variegated Horsetail), Drabella muralis (Wall Whitlowgrass), Veronica polita (Grey Field-speedwell), Juncus subnodulosus (Blunt-flowered Rush), Leontodon hispidus (Rough Hawkbit), Hypericum humifusum (Trailing St. John’s-wort), Hypericum elodes (Marsh St. John’s-wort), Ophrys apifera (Bee Orchid) (the last near Sligo town), Dryopteris carthusiana (Narrow Bucklerfern), Potamogeton coloratus (Fen Pondweed), Sorbus hibernica (Irish Whitebeam), Oenanthe fluviatilis (River Water-dropwort), Aethusa cynapium (Fool’s Parsley) & many others. In particular Polysticum aculeatum (Hard Shield-fern was seen in 30 new sites (monads). This fern which is decidedly uncommon in many parts of Ireland is identifiable all year round and is a nice species to find on a winter outing. It was my first time to see Hypericum elodes in Sligo or Leitrim. It is extremely rare in these counties. I saw it on the Sligo side of the Duff River near Tullaghan. The last time it was recorded in this area was on the Leitrim side in 1899.

On June 22nd and 23rd, I led a 2-day field outing at Lough Talt (see page 84). Up to 15 people attended on one or both days. The habitats included fenny lake shore, the lower slopes of the nearby hill and a nice sloping flush above the road nearby. There were lots of nice, uncommon species here including several orchids in bloom. Perhaps the outstanding species here is Eriophorum latifolium (Broad-leaved Cottongrass) (see page 84) which occurs by the lake shore but in abundance on the sloping flush nearby. We also saw two species of Pinguicula, P. vulgaris (Common Butterwort) and P. lusitanica (Pale Butterwort), Selaginella selaginoides (Lesser Clubmoss), Carex dioica (Dioecious Sedge), Equisetum variegatum (Variegated Horsetail), Antennaria dioica (Mountain Everlasting), Eleocharis quinqueflora (Few-flowered Spike-rush), Carex caryophyllea (Spring Sedge) & Festuca vivipara (Viviparous Sheep’s-fescue). Orchids included Epipactis palustris (Marsh Helleborine), Gymnadenia spp. (Fragrant Orchids), Dactylorhiza incarnata (Early Marshorchid) (two subspecies, the purple subsp. pulchella & the pink subsp. incarnata) (see page 84), Neottia ovata (Common Twayblade), Platanthera chlorantha (Greater Butterflyorchid), Platanthera bifolia (Lesser Butterfly-orchid), Dactylorhiza maculata (Heath Spotted-orchid) & lots of Dactylorhiza fuchsii (Common Spotted-orchid). Several other less rare but nice species added colour; Comarum palustre (Marsh Cinquefoil), Narthecium ossifragum (Bog Asphodel), Drosera rotundifolia (Round-leaved Sundew), Menyanthes trifoliata (Bogbean), Lysimachia tenella (Bog Pimpernel), Schoenus nigricans (Black Bogrush), Pedicularis palustris (March Lousewort), Triglochin palustris (Marsh Arrowgrass), Salix repens (Creeping Willow) & Littorella uniflora (Shoreweed). Between the lake and the road Gaultheria mucronata (Prickly Heath) was naturalised. On the lower slope of Crummus Mountain was Hymenophyllum wilsonii (Wilson’s Filmy-fern). Although the area had been well recorded in the past we added a few taxa on the outings. Samolus PAGE 80

valerandi (Brookweed) was new to the hectad G31. Paul Green attended on Sunday June 23rd and identified some taxa not recorded here before; Leontodon hispidus (Rough Hawkbit) near where we parked, Dryopteris borreri (Borrer’s Male-fern), Carex hostiana x demissa (a hybrid sedge) & Pilosella officinarum subsp. euronota (Mouse-earhawkweed). Apart from the more colourful species it was a good place to introduce newcomers to botany to some of the small less obvious species such as Carex spp, Isolepis setacea (Bristle Club-rush) etc.

Finally, a group of us spotted some flowering spikes of Spiranthes spiralis (Autumn Lady’s-tresses) on the Strandhill dunes on August 2nd this year. I have never seen it in flower so early!

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Field meeting reports – 2024 Glassilaun Beach, North Connemara (H16), 6 th July 2024 John Conaghan, 11 Dun Ard, Craughwell, Co. Galway A total of 15 people attended this fairly windswept, early July field meeting at Glassilaun, a vert scenic, crescent-shaped beach situated on the north Connemara coast (see back cover). Areas of sand dune and coastal heath habitat were visited and recorded. During the meeting a total of 156 vascular plant species were recorded from monad L7564.

The long and narrow sand dune system at Glassilaun contains a typical flora which is dominated by Ammophila arenaria (Marram) with areas of rocky heath, dominated by Calluna vulgaris (Heather) occurring at the western end of the dune system. Among the more noteworthy dune/coastal species found were Salsola kali (Prickly Saltwort), Anacamptis pyramidalis (Pyramidal Orchid), Cakile maritima (Sea Rocket) and Eryngium maritimum (Sea-holly). Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. maritimus (Sea Radish), Arabis hirsuta (Hairy Rock-cress) and Avenula pubescens (Downy Oat-grass) were also recorded and these records are noteworthy as they are the first post-1970 records of these species from hectad L76. Areas of grazed, low-growing, coastal grassland yielded good populations of Dactylorhiza viridis (Frog Orchid), Gentianella campestris (Field Gentian), Selaginella selaginoides (Lesser Clubmoss) and an abundance of Ophioglossum vulgatum (Adder’stongue). Rather surprisingly, the Ophioglossum record appears to be the first record of the species in hectad L76.

Areas of species-rich, rocky, dry heath habitat at the western end of the beach were searched and added a number of more unusual species such as Antennaria dioica (Mountain Everlasting), Empetrum nigrum (Crowberry), Cirsium dissectum (Meadow Thistle) and Dactylorhiza purpurella (Northern Marsh-orchid). A number of old spikes of Anacamptis morio (Green-winged Orchid) were also seen at this location, which is the most northerly known location for the species on the west coast of Ireland. Also seen was a large population of the alien rush species Juncus planifolius (Broad-leaved Rush) which was found growing frequently in narrow wet flushes within heathy grassland. This is a new hectad record for the species which continues to steadily spread throughout the Connemara region.

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---------Captions for pages 39-42 (see page 10 for article relating to Plates 1-10) Plate 1. 5th October 2017. Verbascum thapsus.

A cultivated plant of V. thapsus, showing the long-decurrent, broad, wing-like leaf-bases, and the as yet contracted/un-extended axillary flowering branches.

Plate 2. 26th June 2017. V. nigrum.

V. nigrum at the flowering stage, showing (a) the ridged-and-furrowed stem, with reddish pigmentation at the junction of the stem and base of the linear floral bracts; (b) pedicels very unequal in length, the longest c. 2.5 times the length of its calyx; (c) sepals linear-acute; (d) subtending floral bracteoles present. (Note: Neither reciprocal cross of the interspecific hybrid, V. x semialbum, has inherited either the cordate-based lamina, or the purple-suffused lamina-petiole and lamina-midvein (adaxial face) of their V. nigrum parent!).

Plate 3. 7th July 2017. V. thapsus.

A close-up photograph of flowers of a cultivated plant of V. thapsus in an East Cork (H5) garden, showing the stigma sandwiched between the asymmetric, dehiscing anthers of the 2 lower stamens (their filaments glabrous distally).

Plate 4. 14th September 2018. V. nigrum.

A cultivated plant of V. nigrum, showing 2 opposite flowers in profile, each style longer than, and veering away from, the stamens; the 5 dehisced anthers transversely-medifixed on their filaments, which latter display a bottlebrush-like cluster of violet-coloured hairs.

Plate 5. 1st September 2015. V. x semialbum.

A close-up photograph of a cultivated plant of V. x semialbum, its inflorescence displaying 2 opposite flowers, their 5 undehisced anthers reniform, even-sized, and transversely-medifixed on their filaments (as in V. nigrum); the filaments of the upper 3 stamens clothed to the apex with a mixture of white + pale-violet, club-tipped hairs, but the 2 lower stamen-filaments glabrous distally (an inherited Verbascum thapsus character); style longer than, and divergent from, the stamens.

Plate 6. 11th October 2024. V. virgatum.

A close-up corolla photograph of a V. virgatum plant, showing the 2 lower stamens with their asymmetric anthers ± vertical on their connectives, but not decurrent on their anther-filaments, which latter are glabrous distally. The 3 upper stamen-filaments clothed with violet or purple hairs. (Note: This plant occurring as a transient roadsideverge weed, on the Old Mallow Road (H4, W67.74.), Cork City, in 2024.)

Plate 7. 29th June 2017. Linaria repens.

A distinctive species, with its combination of a shortly-creeping rhizome, narrow leaf-width (2-3mm) and narrow stem diameter; an elongated, lax inflorescence, and the following suite of corolla features: (a) corolla background colour white or very pale mauve; (b) all 5 lobes displaying a conspicuous network of violet veins; (c) the boss of the lower lip with a diagnostic tuft of yellow hairs; (d) the broad lateral lobes of the lower lip out-curved; and the corolla-spur short, very shallowly curved, and with a blunt tip.

Plate 8. 16th June 2017. L. x dominii.

This visually attractive variant of L. x dominii is closer to L. repens in (a) the milk-white colour of the lower lip (particularly the boss region); (b) the contrasting, conspicuous network of violet veins on the lower 3 corollalobes; (c) the out-curved posture of the lower lip lateral lobes; and (d) the relatively short, shallowly-curved corolla-spur, with a blunt tip. From L. purpurea it inherits the moderately dark-violet or purple colour of the upper petal lobes, corolla-tube and spur; the tufted growth-habit, stout stems, taller stature, and ice-white tuft of hairs on the boss of the lower corolla lip.

Plate 9. 16th July 2017. L. x dominii.

A close-up photograph of Plate 8, showing in greater detail, the admixture of parental morphological characters inherited in the hybrid, L. x dominii.

Plate 10. 29th June 2017. L. repens/L. x dominii/L. purpurea A composite photograph of (left) L repens; (centre) L. x dominii; and (right) L. purpurea. This variant of L. x dominii is closer to its L. purpurea parent in overall corolla colour, spur-length, purple and/or white hair-tuft on the boss of the lower corolla lip; stem diameter, and tufted rootstock; but closer to L. repens in its lax inflorescence, shallow spur-curvature and in the shape and out-curved posture of the lateral lobes of the lower lip. Linaria purpurea: Note the 3, limp, vertically-hanging, contiguous or overlapping lobes of the lower lip of this species, its central lobe distinctively tongue-shaped (i.e. lingulate).

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Captions for page 84 & back cover: Plate 1. Dactylorhiza incarnata subsp. pulchella (Early Marsh-orchid) at Lough Talt, Co. Sligo (H28).

Photo B. Keehan © 2024.

Plate 2. Eriophorum latifolium (Broad-leaved Cottongrass) at Lough Talt, Co. Sligo (H28). Photo P. McHugh © 2024.

Plate 3. Cirsium dissectum (Meadow Thistle) at Lough Talt, Co. Sligo (H28). Photo B. Keehan © 2024.

Plate 4. Viola lactea (Pale Dog-violet) at Roundstone, West Galway (H16). Photo J. Conaghan © 2024.

Plate 5. Cakile maritima (Sea Rocket) on sand mound in quarry near Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan (H32).

Photo A. FitzGerald © 2024.

Plate 6. Glassilaun, north Connemara, West Galway (H16). Photo J. Conaghan © 2024.

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Plate 1 (p. 80)

Plate 2 (p. 80)

Plate 3 (p. 80)

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Plate 4 (p. 49)

Plate 6 (p. 81)

Plate 5 (p. 66)