Throughout the year different suite of flowering plants emerge and disappear. Here are a few plants to look out for when visiting the Burren.
January - very little colour usually, other than the occasional stand of winter heliotrope (Petasites fragrans). Good time to look at some of the rich bryophyte flora (moss) of the Burren and also some of the remnant limestone ferns.
February – gradual emergence of buds on many of the shrub and tree species, some flowering colt's foot (Tussilago farfara) and common whitlowgrass (Erophila verna).
March – a very good time to observe the ground flora of woodland sites with the flowers of barren strawberry (Potentilla sterilis), Lesser celandine (Ranunculus ficaria), and wood violet (Viola reichenbachiana) all visible at this time. The metallic blue flowering heads of the blue moor grass (Sesleria albicans) also begin to appear at this time.
April – the month during which spring gentians (Gentiana verna) begin to appear in significant numbers, and also when the year’s first orchids – mainly the early purple orchids (Orchis mascula) – start to show. Another feature would be the wonderful display of primroses, cowslips and false oxslips (Primula spp.) that appear around this time.
May – thought to be the best month to see the Burren flora, this is when we see the first creamy carpets of mountain avens (Dryas octopetala), similar in flower to the burnet rose (Rosa pimpinellifolia), the tiny blues and pinks of milkworts (Polygala vulgaris), the pleasant flowers of the yellow rattle (Rhinantus minor) the spotted orchids (Dactylorhiza spp.) and the elusive Irish orchid (Neotinea intacta).
June – look out for the bee orchid (Ophrys apifera) and fly orchid (Ophrys insectifera), two of the more intrigueing members of the Burren’s suite of orchids which emerge this month, along with others such as twayblades (Listera spp) and butterfly orchids (Platanthera spp.). Look out as well for the cat’s foot (Antennaria dioica) and squinancywort (Asperula cynanchica) around this time.
July – the beautiful bloody cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum) is profuse around now, as are the very distinctive paper-thin nodding bells of the harebell (Campanula rotundifolia) and the regal flowering head of the Carline thistle (Carlina vulgaris). In terms of orchids, this is a great time to see the helleborines (Epipactis spp.) on woodlands and pavements.
August – the late summer meadows and pastures of the Burren are dominated by the flowering heads of devil’s-bit scabious (Succisa pratensis), hawkweeds (Hieracium spp) and knapweed (Centaura nigra). The last orchid of the summer, the autumn lady’s tresses (Spiranthes spiranthes) also makes an appearance towards the end of this month.
September – individuals from a wide range of plants continue to flower into this month so while it may not be as colourful, there is plenty to occupy the amateur botanist. Eyebrights (Euphrasia spp.), heathers (Calluna and Erica spp), St. John’s worts (Hypericum spp) are all on view, though one of the most strikingly beautiful plants of this time would be the grass of Parnassus (Parnassia palustris), found on wet areas.
October – most of the flowers still surviving would be ‘ruderals’ or weed like species. Look out for the beautiful limestone ferns for the Burren – wall rue, rustyback, hart’s tongue fern and spleenworts (Asplenium spp.) which are still on show at this time.
November – this is the time when the berries begin to show on the shrubs and trees of the Burren. Particularly impressive are hawthorns (Crataegus monogyna), holly (Hedera helix) and blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) though it’s a bit too late to pick hazelnuts.
December – A scattering of flowers still linger at this time such as herb Robert (Geranium robertarium), though most of the colour would be provided by the reddening leaves of the bloody cranesbills, burnet rose and common ivy.
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