Photographs: the Gearagh, Co. Cork

Shoreweed Littorella uniflora Lus an chladaigh Family: Plantaginaceae Flowering time: June-October. Aquatic perennial. Native. Only flowers when water levels drop and plants exposed. Tiny, single greenish-white male flowers are on stalks with unstalked female flowers at the base of the same plant. Fruit is a minute nut surrounded by pericarp. Leaves flat on one side, rounded on the other, hairless and spongy with brown stipule at base. The rooting runners form tufts or rosettes. Found throughout Ireland at the edge of lakes, loughs and reservoirs on mud, sand or gravel. Most frequent in the north and west.

Shoreweed, Littorella uniflora, Lus an chladaigh