The valient efforts to rescue one of Ireland's rarest plants, hampered by the fact that no one is sure why it is being pushed out of it's traditional habitat
www.independent.ie/regionals/we...
4/4 Super-sized heaths (Erica species), species of which in Ireland rarely grow above knee-height, form a canopy which you can walk beneath. Pictured here are Erica platycodon and Erica canariensis - both of which are Macaronesian endemic species
3/4 There are also interesting links to the Irish flora. The Irish Spleenwort (Asplenium onopteris), a rare species in Ireland, is abundant in the laurisilva.
Tenerife (and other Macaronesian islands) are also a stronghold for the Killarney Fern (Vandenboschia speciosa)
2/4 The humid conditions result in an abundance of ferns, mosses, and lichens. Pictured here are Canary Islands Wood Fern (Dryopteris oligodonta) and Hare's-foot Fern (Davallia canariensis)
1/4 Photos from El Pijeral - 'The Enchanted Forest', Tenerife. Laurisilva forests in Canary Islands are ancient subtropical cloud forests formed in the Tertiary period. Sustained by trade-wind moisture they host many endemic species and relic biodiversity lost elsewhere in Europe
What an exciting find! Great for botanists that many #ferns can still be seen through the winter months 😄 ❄️🧤🌿 #uplandplants @donncha-oc.bsky.social @ollysflora123.bsky.social @phoebeobrien.bsky.social @npwsireland.bsky.social @cedar-ni.bsky.social @irishwoodlandtrust.bsky.social
Reflection of pines on a small upland lough. Maghera, Co. Clare.
*generally (not greatly)
Some more nice records from the day's botanising in Slieve Aughty uplands. Brittle bladder fern (Cystoperis fragilis), Killarney fern gametophyte (Trichomanes specisosum), Hard shield fern (Polystichum aculeatum), and For clubmoss (Huperzia selago).
Crowberry (Empetrum nigrum) in Slieve Aughty, Co. Clare. New hectad record for this species which is greatly quite rare in the county.
Great to find a new site for Beech Fern (Phegopteris connectilis) in Co. Clare. The species is known to be extant at only two other places in Clare @bsbibotany.bsky.social @bsbiireland.bsky.social
Nice afternoon of botanising in Sliabh Aughty, Co. Clare. Highlights - a new site for gametophyte of Killarney fern and 2nd county record for Polystichum x bicknellii (hybrid between P. aculeatum and P. setiferum) Need to confirm ID of latter but it seem to fit the description 🤞
Wood-name townlands of Clonderlaw barony Co. Clare
Trees in the placenames are Oak (Doire/Derry); Alder (Fearnán/Fearnóg) & Holly (Cuileann)
In 1655 there were 1670 acres of wooded lands recorded consisting of
-Timber trees 701 a
-Young Wood 304 a
-Old Wood 361 a
-Shrubs 324 a
There's a definitely a learning curve with sedges (I'm still learning!) but it's rewarding when you start to recognize them in the field!
The BSBI handbook has v. good B&W line drawings that I find very useful. Good luck 🍀
Hi Margaret, I think there are two sedge species in your photos - possibly Carex nigra (only male flower in view showing yellowish anthers) & a species of Eleocharis (E. palustris maybe)
Sedges from a base-rich mire in Co. Clare yesterday. (Carex panicea, C. viridula subsp oedocarpa, C. dioecia & C. diandra) #wildflowerhour
Cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccus) #wildflowerhour
Lovely! some filmy-ferns in the last pic too 🍀
The fresh leaves of the Fraochán (bilberry) brighten up the woods on a rainy evening. Co. Clare.
A freshwater macroalga - Delicate Stonewort (Chara virgata) - from a mire habitat. Co. Clare.
Glistening in the evening sun: two mosses, Bryum pseudotriquetrun & Campylium stellatum
Marsh Violet (Viola palustris) #wildflowerhour
Sphagnum in the limelight
Nice to find the scarce Sphagnum teres in the base rich mire in east Co. Clare. It is classified as having 'Near Threatened' status in Ireland
Lakes in Ireland - Mirrors of Change.
Available to download here: oar.marine.ie/handle/10793...
Edited by @cathdalt.bsky.social @ejen.bsky.social and @edeeyto.bsky.social with chapter contributions from 52 authors and sponsorship from state agencies & HEIs
Limited print copies available - DM me
Are you interested in the history, geography, biology and sociology of lakes in Ireland?
Take a look at our new book, with contributions from 52 people working in the area, and edited by @cathdalt.bsky.social and @ejen.bsky.social
#OpenAccess link below ⬇️⬇️⬇️💦🌊🐟🦆🦟🪲
