The Burren, Co. Clare. © Patrick Slavin

Dense-flowered Orchid Neotinea maculata Magairlín glas Family: Orchidaceae Flowering: April-June. Tuberous perennial. Native. Dense, cylindrical spikes of vanilla-scented creamy flowers. Greyish-green basal leaves, smaller, clasping stem leaves. Leaves often have lines of small purple-brown spots. A short, inconspicuous plant, height 10-30cm Base-rich or calcareous gravelly soils on limestone pavements, grassland, dunes, roadsides and in hazel woodland. Very rare, mainly in Co. Clare, and classed as Near Threatened. Member of the Lusitanian Flora Similar: Small-white Orchid, Pseudorchis albida

Dense-flowered Orchid, Neotinea maculata, Magairlín glas