Photographs: The Burren, Co. Clare

Spring Sandwort Sabulina verna (Minuartia verna) Gaineamhlus earraigh Family: Caryophyllaceae Flowering time: May-September. Perennial. Native. Clusters of 2-7 white flowers with purple anthers and 3 styles, the un-notched petals longer than the 3-veined sepals. The dark green linear leaves are pointed, keeled and have 3 veins. A more/less sticky-hairy plant with loosely carpeting or tufted growth. Height to 15cm. Found on open, base-rich ground on limestone pavements and in short grassland and screes on Co.Clare and the Aran Islands. Occurs on basalt in scattered locations in N Ireland.

Spring Sandwort, Sabulina verna (Minuartia verna), Gaineamhlus earraigh