Keeping the eyes open as nature comes to life is one of the great pleasures of walking at this time of year. As Spring extends into Summer, and with Biodiversity Week just around the corner, there is so much to look at as we walk on trails and country paths the length and breadth of the county. Spotting bursts of colour appearing in hedgerows is one thing, recognising and naming them is another and a further step is to see what uses these plants have traditionally been put to over the years. We’ve named eight plant species that are commonly seen on most walks for you to keep an eye out for over the coming weeks. We would remind you that where we mention that certain plants may be eaten or used in drinks like tea and for other purposes, we advise you to thoroughly research the safety of ingesting any of the plants listed below.
Bluebell (Cloigín Gorm in Irish)
Commonly seen around this time in hedgerows and near woodland trails, this deep blue flower gives a pop of colour to the green and brown undergrowth at this time of year. A beautifully intricate flower it grows in abundance especially in the woods. However, please ensure you don’t trample on them as it can take years for the plant to fully recover. Hazelwood is a great spot for bluebells although the loss of trees after the storms seems to have lessened its numbers this year. The native common bluebell has distinctly drooping stems and a sweet smell, both features that distinguish it from the introduced Spanish bluebell.
Did You Know: In the language of flowers, the bluebell is a symbol of humility, constancy, gratitude and everlasting love. It is said that if you turn a bluebell flower inside-out without tearing it, you will win the one you love, and if you wear a wreath of bluebells you will only be able to speak the truth. – (Woodland Trust UK)
Dandelion (Caisearbhán)
Sprouting up just about everywhere from roadside paths to fields and gardens, the dandelion will grow throughout the Summer, its long stem and circular yellow head among the most recognisable of our common plants. A good pollinator, hence its profusion, it is great to increase biodiversity in the garden as it’s loved by bees and butterflies, its seeds are also eaten by small birds.
Did You Know: The dandelion has been used to make tea and was thought to be a cure for consumption. Dandelion was also known as a cure for warts. ‘The juiced of dandelion if rubbed to warts for nine days will destroy them’. (National Folklore Collection).
Primrose (Sabhaircín)
Beautiful flowers that you’ll find embedded in many a stone wall or hedgerow, clusters of these grow in several colours from white to pink to yellow and are a common sight especially on roadsides and woodlands. They can flower very early in the year – the Latin name translates as ‘first flower’ so you should have a good chance to spot these in the coming weeks. Popular with gardeners and its leaves are also used in tea and salads.
Did You Know: ‘Guard the house with a string of primroses on the first three days of May. The fairies are said not to be able to pass over or under this string.’ (National Folklore Collection).
Hawthorn (Sceach Gheal)
A small tree or bush that grows almost in any location including exposed upland areas, this native Irish tree produces large clusters of small white flowers typically at the start of May, great pollinators that are loved by bees. Note that hawthorn comes from the Irish Sceach Gheal – or Bright Bush. Towards Autumn, red berries (known as haws) will start to appear, providing sustenance for birds and other creatures.
Did You Know: You’ll find the hawthorn growing in profusion on the roadside, farmers being superstitious of cutting down or removing old trees, hence it’s nickname ‘the fairy tree.’ (Wild Flowers of Ireland).
Gorse (Aiteann)
Grows profusely and instantly recognisable for its yellow flower, thorny leaves and pungent coconut-like smell, it’s flowering season extends from Spring throughout the Summer and right up to Winter, providing a rare splash of colour at that time of year. It also provides both nutrition and shelter for wildlife and apparently burned gorse ashes form a very good fertiliser.
Did You Know: Traditionally, common gorse was foraged for a multitude of reasons including fodder for livestock, as a traditional dye for clothing, and bound together to make floor and chimney sweeping brushes. (Wildflowers of Ireland).
Cow Parsley (Peirsil Bhó)
A tall plant that grows up to a metre in height on the roadside as well as in woods and hedgerows. It doesn’t flower for very long but has a tendency to self-seed so can grow profusely. A biennial plant, which means it takes two years for it to complete its life cycle. Also known as Queen Anne’s Lace.
Did You Know: Another alternative name is Devil’s Parsley, possibly because of its resemblance to the highly poisonous Hemlock, this plant occurs in accounts of witchcraft practices (Wildflowers of Ireland).
Wild Garlic (Creamh)
Wild garlic, sometimes called ramsons, bear’s garlic, or wood garlic, is a wild plant belonging to the Allium genus, along with onions, regular garlic and leeks. A bulbous perennial, it grows naturally in woodlands, where it carpets the ground in spring with broad, fresh green leaves and white, pompom-like flowers.
Did You Know: All parts of wild garlic are edible, and prized by foraging chefs. Unlike regular garlic, it’s mainly the leaves of wild garlic that are used, which lend a garlicky flavour to soups and stews (Gardener’s World).
Cuckooflower (Léine Mhuire)
Flowers from now until June and grows in damp meadows and riverbanks. It has a rosette of leaves at its base and an upright stem that bears the delicate, small, pale pink or mauve flowers. Each flower has four petals, although double-flowered varieties do appear.
Did You Know: The name ‘Cuckooflower’ was explained by 16thc. herbalist, John Gerard as‘These flower for the most part in April and May when the Cuckoo begins to sing her pleasant notes without stammering’ (Wildflowers of Ireland).
