Photographs: Blarney, Co. Cork

Toothwort Lathraea squamaria Slánú fiacal Family: Scrophulariaceae Flowering March-May. Annual or perennial. Native. One-sided racemes of cream to pinkish flowers on erect above-ground spikes, the calyx 4-lobed and glandular-hairy. Grows from underground rhizomes and has small, fleshy scale-like leaves. Lacks green colouring so cannot photosynthesize. Height 10-20cm. Parasitic on roots of trees and shrubs including Hazel, Alder, Cherry Laurel and Poplar. Rare in deciduous woodland, hedges and on stream banks. Most frequent in Northern Ireland.

Toothwort, Lathraea squamaria, Slánú fiacal