Photographs: Clonakilty, Co. Cork

Soapwort Saponaria officinalis Garbhán creagach Family: Caryophyllaceae Flowering: July-September. Perennial. Introduced. Pink flowers with 5 un-notched petals in forked cymes on branched stems. A double-flowered form is frequent with multiple petals instead of stamens. The pale green lanceolate leaves are hairless. Straggling growth habit with thick, brittle stems. Produces many runners and can form large patches. Previously used for making soap. Height 30-90cm. A naturalised garden escape that is widespread on roadsides, waste ground and stream edges.

Soapwort, Saponaria officinalis, Garbhán creagach