Photographs: Kinsale, Co. Cork

Annual Mercury Mercurialis annua Lus glinne beag Family: Euphorbiaceae Flowering April-October. Annual. Introduced. Very small green flowers, the male flowers in more/less erect spikes and clusters of female flowers. The seed is very long-lived. Short-stalked leaves are bright green and toothed. Stems branched from the base and leaves and stems usually hairless. Prefers fertile, nutrient-rich soils on waste ground, gardens and roadsides. Mainly found in the south, south-east and east of Ireland. Similar: Dog's Mercury, M. perennis. Infrequent, scattered distribution

Annual Mercury, Mercurialis annua, Lus glinne beag