As August progresses into deep autumn berries tinted with pink and red begin appearing on the hedgerows. Technically, some of these berries are drupes which are fruits with seeds that are like small stones such as those in holly “berries”. These flushing colours will eventually change to strong reds, blacks and oranges to attract feeders…
One of the commonest butterflies in Ireland is the Large white butterfly (Pieris brassica) or Bánóg mhór in Irish which is widespread during the months May to September. The females have two black spots on the upper sides of each of their forewings and dark tips on these forewings. (1) They lay eggs between April…
Bird’s-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) or Crobh éin corraigh in Irish is a member of the pea family. (1) Like all members of this family it adds fertility to the soil by harvesting nitrogen from the air and making it available in the soil for plants to use. The flower structure of this family consists of…
The descriptive word umbellifer is derived from the Latin word umbrella which means a sunshade or parasol. The flowers called umbels are held up by ribs like those on an umbrella. Plants in this family generally have hollow, ribbed stems and divided leaves. The roots of some members of the family such as carrot and…
These flowering plants are members of the labiate family. The word labiate is derived from the Latin word, labium which means a lip. Flowers in this family are tubular and have two lips, an upper one and a lower one. The upper one is called a cowl or hood. Pollinating insects use the lower one…
Willowherbs are flowering now. Their four petalled flowers vary in colour from deep pink to pale pink; their leaves are toothed and lance-shaped like those on certain willow trees and their plumed seeds fly around like those from willow trees. Great willowherb (Epilobiumhirsutum) or Lus na trionóide in Irish is a tall and beautiful plant…
These three thistles bloom from high summer until autumn. They are excellent for attracting a wide variety of insects because of their plentiful supplies of nectar. Their seeds are eaten by birds, especially goldfinches. They are also the foodplants of the Painted lady butterfly. (1) Spear thistle (Cirsium vulgare) or Feochadán colgach in Irish is…
These flowering plants are members of the pea family. This is the third largest flower family in the world and includes peas, beans, lupins, wisterias, gorse, clovers, brooms and trefoils. (1a,1b) They have five petals which include a flag or standard which is upright, two wings below the flag and below these, two petals fused…
Common ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) or Buachalán buí in Irish is blooming now. (1) This poisonous plant is common on grasslands, wastelands, roadsides and arable land. It is a member of the daisy family with yellow disc florets in the centre and ray florets circling the disc florets It is classified as a noxious weed because…
The Hedge bindweed (Calystegia sepium) or Ialus fáil in Irish and the Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) or Ainleog in Irish are blooming now. (1a;1b) The former, which can grow to a height of three metres can be seen in hedges, woodland edges and waste ground; the latter is much shorter at a maximum height of…
There are well over a hundred species of Buddleia in the world. They are native to North and South America and parts of Asia and Africa. The most popular species in gardens is Buddleia davidii or the Butterfly bush. (1a;1b) The “Buddleia” part of the name refers to Adam Buddle an English botanist and cleric…
These five colourful wildflowers were plentiful in cornfields decades ago when herbicides and seed cleaning were not used. They presented an eye-catching spectacle in crops of wheat, oats and barley. (1) The colour contrast provided by these annuals in cornfields ranged from scarlet in the poppies (Papaver rhoeas), purple pink in the corncockles (Agrostemma gothago),…