Photographs: Courtmacsherry, Co. Cork

Sea-buckthorn Hippophae rhamnoides Draighean mara Family: Elaeagnaceae Flowering March-April, fruiting Sept. Deciduous shrub. Introduced The tiny green flowers have 2 sepals but no petals and are followed by clusters of orange berries. Narrow leaves are covered with silvery-brown scales and the dense branches have strong spikes. Self-seeds, also spreads rapidly by suckers and can form dense thickets. Height 1-3m. Coastal on sandy ground, cliffs and dunes. Originally planted to stabilise loose dunes but now naturalised in some areas and an increasing threat to native vegetation.

Sea-buckthorn, Hippophae rhamnoides, Draighean mara