Lusitanian Flora
A group of wildflowers native to Ireland but mainly absent from Britain form what is known as the
Lusitanian Flora.
This unique collection of mediterranean plants came originally from the Iberian Peninsula (North Spain and Portugal),
and in Ireland most are found in the South and West.
It is unlikely that they have survived from before the last Ice Age but there is no conclusive explanation for their presence here.
Maidenhair Fern, Adiantum capillus-veneris, Duchosach: Co. Clare, Galway, Mayo
Fringed/Irish Sandwort, Arenaria ciliata, Gaineamhlus gaelach: Co. Sligo
Strawberry Tree, Arbutus unedo, Caithne: Co. Kerry, Sligo, W Cork
St Dabeoc's Heath, Daboecia cantabrica, Fraoch na haon choise: West Galway, Mayo
Irish Heath, Erica erigena, Fraoch camógach: Co. Galway, Mayo
Mackay's Heath, Erica mackaiana, Fraoch mhic aoidh: Co. Donegal, Connemara
Irish Eyebright, Euphrasia salisburgensis, Glanrosc gaelach: Western Ireland
Irish Spurge, Euphorbia hyberna, Bainne caoin: Western Ireland
Irish Fleabane, Inula salicina, Lus gréine gaelach: Lough Derg, N Tipperary
Recurved Sandwort, Minuartia recurva, Gaineamhlus cuar: Co. Kerry, W Cork and Waterford
Dense-flowered Orchid, Neotinea maculata, Magairlín glas: Western Ireland and E Cork
Large-flowered Butterwort, Pinguicula grandiflora, Leith uisce: SW Cork, Limerick, Clare, Aran Islands
Kidney Saxifrage, Saxifraga hirsuta, Morán giobach: Co. Kerry, W Cork
St Patricks Cabbage, Saxifraga spathularis, Cabáiste an mhadra rua: W Ireland, also Co. Waterford
Kerry Lily, Simethis mattiazzii, Lile fhíonáin: Co. Kerry
North American species:
There is one North American species that is native to Ireland but not found in Britain or Europe, and three which are found in Ireland and Britain but not elsewhere in Europe.
Irish St Johnswort, Hypericum canadense, Beathnua gaelach: Co. Cork, W Galway, W Mayo
Blue-eyed Grass, Sisyrinchium bermudiana, Feilistrín gorm: SW, NW Ireland. Scattered UK distribution
Pipewort, Eriocaulon aquaticum, Pípín uisce: Western Ireland, also Inner Hebrides,
W Scottish mainland
Irish Ladys-tresses, Spiranthes romanzoffiana, Cuílín gaelach: SW, W, NE Ireland, also Inner Hebrides, Western Scotland
