Photographs: the Burren, Co. Clare

Pyramidal Bugle Ajuga pyramidalis Glasair bheannach Family: Lamiaceae Flowering April-May. Perennial. Native. Small pale mauve-blue flowers on erect stems, the bracts longer than the flowers and pale-green strongly tinged with pinkish-violet. Produces very long-lived seed. The short-stalked basal leaves form flattish rosettes and the stem leaves are stalkless. Stem hairy all round. Has no runners but spreads by underground stolons. Height 8-15cm but can be smaller Very rare on rocky ground round Galway Bay and from Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland. Classed as Vulnerable in the Red Data List 2016.

Pyramidal Bugle, Ajuga pyramidalis, Glasair bheannach