Flora in the Burren

The Burren is a rich and exciting place for flora. People come from all over the world to enjoy the experience of the flora of the burren.  In 1983 a total of 635 species were recorded in the burren hills (345 square km) Some of the most interesting things about the flora of the Burren is the mixture of artic, alpine and Mediterranean species. Overall the Burren is one of the best places to explore the flora of Ireland!

Common Flowers of the Burren

Ladies Bedstraw

Ladies Bedstraw is is a common flower in the Burren. It was once used to stuff mattresses because it was a repellent against fleas. There is also a legend that the Virgin Mary lay on a bed of bedstraw during the nativity. The flower blooms between June and September.It also has a hay like smell. The name in Gaeilge means Hound of the Heather

Bloody Cranes Bill

Bloody Cranesbill is a native flower to the burren .It has bright red-purple petals and has a long pointed beak (when closed) and a hairy stem.The bloody cranesbill blooms from June to August .When the flowers first appear on this small beautiful flower they are a charming bright shade of purple as they begin to fade in colour they turn slightly violet

Mountain Aven

The Mountain Aven came to the Burren in the last ice-age! It was originally from the Arctic. It likes the Burren because it receives a lot of sunlight, just like the Arctic! It has white petals and a yellow stem!

Common Dog Violet

This small flower is blue violet in colour with no scent.This flower is always solitary on there stem and is open on there stem with five petals. This native plant blooms from April to June.

Primrose 

Primroses are another common flower in the Burren. They are often found found under the hazel scrub. They bloom mainly in April and May but have been found deep in grikes in midsummer. The leaves of the 

primrose can also be used for tea.

Harebell

This bell shaped flower grows through out the Burren from July to September. They often grow along the roadside. The Irish name means Goblin Thimble. The scientific name of this flower is Campanula Rotundifolia.

Rare Flowers in the Burren 

Fly Orchid

Fly Orchids or in Irish Magairlin na Mbeach are shaped like tiny flies and let off a scent that male flies will be attracted to, and they will then pollinate it. It is found all over Europe but mostly in the Burren!

Cat's Paw

The Burren Cat's Paw is found all over the Burren. It looks and feels like a cat's paw, which is how it gets its name! The male flower is white and the female flower is pink.

Bee Orchid

The Bee Orchid blooms from June to July. Its gold-brown velvety lower lip patterned to resemble the back of a bee, to attract  similar creatures to pollinate it. It grows in dry sandy soil, dunes and limestone.It grows up to 30-40cm in height.

Devils Bit- Scabious 

An ancient belief that the root of the Devils Bit - Scabious had the power to cure the nasty disease "Scabies" This interesting plant with its deep blue/ purple petals can be found in sandy areas ,as well as grasslands and the Burren!

Hoary rockrose 

The Hoary rockrose or in Irish- Grianrós Liath. It is native to Ireland and it flowers between May and July.It can grow up to 20cm. The flowers are bright yellow and only open when its sunny. The Hoary rockrose is  quite rare but is found on limestone, rocks and cliffs around the Burren!

Fox Glove

The Fox Glove is found in most of Europe. Even though it it is found in the Burren, it does not grow on limestone! The flowers can be pink, yellow, red and white but they are mainly purple!

They are poisonous to humans and some animals if eaten. The Irish name for them is Méaracán Púca and they can grow up to 2 metres tall! 

Tree's in the Burren

Ash Tree 

The common ash tree is a broad deciduous tree (meaning it sheds and renews its leaves in the autumn) The tree grows fast and reaches an average height of 25 meters. The fast growth of this tree and its ability to regrow after being cut down, makes the Ash tree a valuable tree.

Hazel Tree 

The Hazel tree is native to Ireland and is a member of the birch family. It is one of the commonest shrubs in Ireland. The Hazel tree is also known as common filbert. They have rounded leaves and the flowers are produced very early in the spring. The hazel tree has a tendency to overgrow if no controls are in place, it threatens to destroy the habitats and the flora in the Burren. It is important to protect the flora, and the habitats that the Hazel threatens to destroy.