Photographs: Co. Cork and Co. Waterford

Sheeps-bit / Sheeps Scabious Jasione montana Duán na gcaorach Family: Campanulaceae Flowering time: May - August. Usually biennial. Native. Terminal heads of stalked bright blue flowers surrounded by toothed green bracts. Fruit capsules with several seeds. Leafy flower stems, the lower part of stems often branched. Lower leaves are in basal rosettes with spoon-shaped or lanceolate leaves that are undulate and hairy. Erect or sprawling growth habit. Height: 5-40cm. Frequent except in central Ireland on rocky or sandy ground on dunes, cliffs, heaths and among dry grassland.

Sheep's-bit, Jasione montana, Duán na gcaorach