Flora of The Burren By The Legend Lizards

Introduction - Daróg Spring Gentian – Justin Bee Orchid - Yanis Bloody Cranesbill - Nathan Butterwort - Daróg Contents

Introduction The Burren has a huge variety of plants and flowers. In fact there are over 600 different species of plants and flowers in The Burren that’s three quarters of all of Ireland’s! The Burren has plants and flowers from as far away as the Arctic and the Mediterranean. We have each chosen our favourite flower in The Burren. I chose the Spring Gentian, I chose the Bee Orchid, I chose the Bloody Cranesbill and I chose the Butterwort. We have each done a slide on our favourite flowers. We have also made and collected some examples, our first is a selection of pressed Burren flowers.

Spring Gentian The Spring Gentian is a well known flower of The Burren. Tourists come from far and wide to see this flower in bloom in April – June. The flowers are a deep blue colour with a purplish stem. They only grow to a height of about 2–6 cm. They are originally from the Alps but like many flowers were carried to The Burren by glaciers about 10,000 years ago.

Bee Orchid The Bee Orchid is a flower that smells and looks like a bee so that it attracts bees so they can spread their pollen. The Bee Orchid is a flower found all over Europe and in The Burren. They grow to a height of about cm. The Bee Orchid flowers from June – July. It can be found all over Ireland but it is found mainly in The Burren.

Bloody Cranesbill The Bloody Cranesbill flowers in June, July and August. Its scientific name is Geranium Sanguineum and its Irish name is Crobh dearg. Its petals grow to about 2-3cm long. When they bloom, they are a beautiful magenta colour and as they begin to fade, the flowers turn more violet hue. The stamens also change colour during the short life of the flower. Its named after a Cranes beak.

Butterwort The Butterwort, one of Irelands only carnivorous plants, is found in The Burren. There are two types of Butterwort in The Burren, the Common Butterwort and the Large Leafed Butterwort. It is a very smart plant adapting to the changing conditions of The Burren. It is a fly catcher luring flies in with a tasty aroma coming from the plants peduncular glands. Flies then fly in expecting a nice drink but when the fly decides he has had enough and tries to fly away he finds he has become food himself. The Butterwort might look pretty but it is in fact deadly.

1.Which plant attracts its prey by using an odour? 2.Which flower do tourists come a long way to see? 3.Which pretty flower is named after a birds bill? 4.One species of Butterwort is the Common Butterwort, what is the other one? 5.About how many species of plants and flowers are in The Burren? 6.Which flower grows to a height of cm ?

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With thanks to: Áine – BurrenBeo Kate – BurrenBeo Brigid – BurrenBeo Brendan – Burren Life Eimear – Teacher Kate - SNA