This week the BSBI (Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland) have been recording plants in Mayo. Nearly 40 botanists have volunteered their time to survey the county for the upcoming Plant Atlas 2020. I had the privilege of being able to join them for two days this week and I learned a huge amount from these gifted people.
Botanists hard at work
With still a day to go over 8500 plant records have already been documented. On my first day out one of the highlights were these lovely heath spotted orchids. We also saw Twayblade but by then it was too wet to take a photograph.
Heath spotted orchid
Yesterday we visited a coastal site near Louisburgh. We had wonderful views of Clare Island, Croagh Patrick, and Mweelrea Mountain (Mayo’s tallest mountain at 814m).
Getting down low we found some lovely plants including this delicate Rock Sea-spurrey (Spergularia rupicola). Sneezewoth is a plant I don’t remember seeing since I was a child. The stonewalls had some lovely ferns including this polypody. It was a thoroughly enjoyable and informative two days with some great botanists. I found their enthusiasm for plants totally infectious.
Rock sea-spurrey
Sneezeworth (Achillea ptarmica)
Polypody
More information about the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland can be found at their website at or their facebook page.
Murtagh's Meadow 
Sounds like great fun – I bet you learned a lot. And the landscape sure is easy on the eyes!
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I learned so much and it was such fun. I had great teachers
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Would have loved to fly right over from Maine ( actually will be there again this October) to join this excursion. When I am in Ireland I am always wishing to walk with someone who has botanical knowledge. There are many plants I am not familiar with or are related to some we have here. Sounds like a fantastic day, and I will check out the site! Thanks, denise
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I’m not sure when you are coming in October but the Mayo Naturalist Group have an outing on the 17th Oct – see attached link http://www.mayococo.ie/en/Services/Heritage/MayoNaturalistsFieldClub/
Otherwise if you are around Mayo drop me a line – I’d be happy to go on a walk with you.
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I’ll be in County Kerry for a couple of weeks in October, but first at the Ballinasloe horse fair first. I come to Ireland every year and would love the chance to walk with someone to help identify some of the plants i don’t know. Some very different from our zone 4 Maine. I think Ireland is much more like our West Coast. Thank you for the offer to walk….would love that and will keep you posted of my travels.
Much obliged, denise
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Looking forward to it Denise.
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I love everything about the Polypody – the name, the look, the colour! As usual fabulous images and a wonderful sense of the work you do. xx
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There are some great plant names – moonworth us a particular favorite of mine.
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Ooh, I’m jealous! What a great way to spend a couple of days, and in one of my favorite spots. Glad you got to enjoy it.
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It was great Melissa!
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I love the spotted orchids that you find and Sneezeworth – what a descriptive name. Here’s to the botanists and you for all your enthusiasm and revelations.
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Thanks Jane – the end tally was over 10,000 plant records a great achievement!
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I would of loved to do that:-) I totally could see how they would be contagious:-) Your photos are beautiful of the plants we so often pass and never stop to admire.
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So many wonderful plants out there – so much to learn
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Have to ask–does Sneezeworth make one sneeze? Where *does* the name came from? 🙂
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It’s latin name is Achillea ptarmica and according to wikipedia the name ptarmica comes from the Greek word ptairo (=sneeze) and means ’causes sneezing’ – I haven’t tried it though!
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