Red Bartsia
Latin: Odontites vernus
Irish: Hocas tae
This is a native, low-growing (15-30cm tall), erect, downy annual that is often found growing in pastures, roadsides and stony places. Grows extensively in the Builders Paddock at Castlewarden.
It has small (1cm), stalkless leaves that grow in opposite pairs and small pinkish-red flowers are produced in July and August. Red Bartsia is semi-parasitic on the roots of neighbouring grass plants and is closely related to Broomrape species (Orobanche) that lack chlorophyll and are completely parasitic on the roots of Furze and other leguminous plants inIreland.
