Burren Flora Orchids
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Bee Orchid |
Pyramidal orchid |
O'Kellys orchid |
Common spotted |
Of Ireland's 28 native orchid species, an extraordinary 24 are known to exist in the Burren. Beginning every year around April with the flowering of the early purple orchid, and ending in September with the intricate flowering spikes of the autumn lady’s tresses, these wonderful little flowers provide a rich and fascinating attraction in the summer pastures of the Burren. Below are listed the orchids found in the Burren, their Latin, English and Irish names (from the work of Nelson (2000).
| Latin Name | English Name | Irish Name | Rarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anacamptis pyramidalis | Pyramidal orchid | Magairlin na stuaice | Common |
| Cephalanthera longifolia | Narrow-leaved helleborine | Cuaichin caol | Rare |
| Coeloglossum viride | Frog orchid | Magairlin an loscain | Frequent |
| Dactylorhiza cruenta | Leopard orchid | Magairlin craorag | Local |
| Dactylorhiza fuchsii ss fuchsii | Spotted-orchid | Nuacht bhallach | Abundant |
| Dactylorhiza fuchsii ss okellyi | O'Kelly's spotted-orchid | Nuacht bhallach Ui Cheallaigh | Frequent |
| Dactylorhiza maculata | Heath-spotted orchid | Na circini | Abundant |
| Dactylorhiza incarnata | Early marsh orchid | Magairlin mor | Frequent |
| Dactylorhiza majalis | Broad-leaved, western marsh orchid | Margailin ghaelach | Rare |
| Epipactis atrorubens | Dark-red helleborine | Cuaichin dhearg | Frequent |
| Epipactis helleborine | Broad-leaved helleborine | Ealabairin | Frequent |
| Epipactis palustris | Marsh helleborine | Cuaichin corraigh | Local |
| Gymnadenia conopsea | Fragrant orchid | Lus taghla | Frequent |
| Listera ovata | Common twayblade | Dedhuilleog | Abundant |
| Listera cordata | Lesser twayblade | Dedhuilleog bheag | Very rare |
| Ophrys apifera | Bee orchid | Magairlin na mbeach | Local |
| Ophrys insectifera | Fly orchid | Magairlin na gcuileanna | Local |
| Orchis mascula | Early purple orchid | Magairlin meidhreach | Abundant |
| Orchis morio | Green-winged orchid | Magairlin feitheach | Very rare |
| Neotinea maculata | Irish orchid, dense flowered orchid | Magairlin glas | Local |
| Neottia nidus-avis | Bird's-nest orchid | Magairlin neide ein | Rare |
| Platanthera bifolia | Lesser butterfly orchid | Magairlin beag an fheileacain | Rare |
| Platanthera chlorantha | Greater butterfly-orchid | Magairlin mor an fheileacain | Rare |
| Spiranthes spiralis | Autumn lady's-tresses, ladies' tresses | Cuilin Muire | Rare |
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