The Flora of Castlewarden

  Latin:  Holcus lanatus This is a tufted grass that grows to a height of 30-70cm.  It is probably one of the most visually attractive grasses because of the bright pinkish-purple colouring of its stems and seed head. The leaves are a soft, pale, green and the lower leaf sheaths are often veined with reddish-purple.  Both the stems and the leaves are covered with soft, fine, downy hairs.  Panicle-type inflorescences (flowering heads) appear in June-July and are generally dense and whitish, pale green, pinkish or purple

Latin:  Anthoxanthum odoratus) The seed heads of Sweet Vernal tend to appear at about the same time of the year as those of Meadow Foxtail (late April – May). It is widely occurring species in old pastures and meadows but does not have any particular attraction for the farmer or the golf course manager. It does, however, have one remarkable attribute – it is, as its name implies, sweetly scented.  When plants are harvested and allowed to dry they emit a sweet scent due to a

Latin : Alopecurus pratensis   This is a tall (up to 100cm) perennial grass species that produces a soft, cylindrical, spike-like head in late April or early May.  It occurs throughout Ireland being most abundant in low-lying areas and especially in old grasslands on rich, moist soils.  It closely resembles Timothy (Phleum pratense) and the two species can only be distinguished on the basis of minor anatomical differences in the head.   Although it is not regarded as a valuable species in amenity grasslands such

Latin:  Cerastium fontanum Irish:  Cluas luchóige mhara   Samples of this species were observed during the month of May at several locations including on right side of avenue just before the over-flow car park.  The plants were flowering at the time. This native species is a mat-forming perennial with prostrate non-flowering shoots and erect flowering shoots that can grow to a height of 40cm.  It is adapted to several habitats: abundant in all types of grassland, waste places and cultivated ground. It is often referred to as

Latin:  Agrostis stolonifera) Agrostis stolonifera is a native species that grows abundantly across Ireland in damp meadows, ditches and waste places.  It is an extremely variable species and can grow to heights ranging from 30 to 120cm, its leaf blades that vary in width from 1 to 3cm and it is highly variable in its adaptation to different climatic and management regimes. Slender, leafy stolons (runners) are produced from the base and these can root at intervals giving rise to a mat of clonal plants. 

Latin:  Agrostis gigantea   This is a native species that grows in tilled fields and waste areas.  It occurs primarily in the East of the country and is quite rare in the West.  It grows to about 1.0m tall and spreads by underground rhizomes.  Some plants begin to head (flower) in June but others flower during July and August.   The flowering head is a green to purplish, oblong to ovate, loose panicle that is usually very loose and much branched.   There are several

Latin:  Ranunculus acris Irish:  Fearbán féir   A native perennial that grows in damp meadows and pastures.  It is erect (up to 70cm tall) and does not have runners.  The leaf blade, although deeply divided, has an almost circular outline.   The glossy yellow flowers are very familiar; they are 15-25mm across and have 5 petals.  Although Meadow Buttercup looks very similar to other buttercup species it can be distinguished from them by the fact that only Meadow Buttercup has a smooth, un-furrowed, pedicel (flower stalk).

Latin:  Prunella vulgaris Irish:  Duán ceannchosach   A grassland plant that is native to Ireland that can flourish in lawns and other grass areas that are regularly cut. It has a trailing growth habit and the only part of the plant that is readily visible in close-mown grass is its compact, cylindrical flower heads and small, deep violet flowers that appear during June-August. The leaves (20-35mm long) grow as opposite pairs on the stem. The flowers are small (5-10mm) and have 5 petals but the upper two

latin:  Primula veris Irish:  Bainne bó bleachtáin   This very familiar native wild flower is from the same genus as the Primrose (Primula vulgaris) and closely resembles it.  The most striking differences are that while the Primrose produces relatively large and solitary flowers, the Cowslip produces clusters of smaller flowers on the top of each stalk. Even before flowering it differs from Primrose.  Primrose leaves gradually taper at the base whereas Cowslip leaves are abruptly contracted at the base and have a distinct winged petiole. Hybrids

Latin:  Potentilla reptans Irish:  Cúig mhéar Mhuire   This is a native species that has long stems that creep along the ground sending up long-stalked leaves and single flowers at regular intervals and are a common sight on roadsides and in waste places. The leaves are nearly all palmate with 5 toothed leaflets. The flowers are bright yellow, 20-25mm across and have 5 petals.   It has had several uses in herbal medicine.  An infusion of the dried herb is used in the treatment of diarrhoea.  It