Photographs: Gougane Barra, Co. Cork

Water Lobelia Lobelia dortmanna Plúr an locháin Family: Campanulaceae Flowering July-August. Aquatic perennial. Native. Racemes of 3-10 drooping pale lilac flowers on erect, unbranched and leafless stems that rise 15-25cm above water surface. Seed can remain viable for 30 years. A slow-growing plant with submerged rosettes of blunt-linear leaves found in water depths of less than 2m. Can be locally common in the south-west, west and north-west of Ireland in acidic, stony lakes, usually in mountainous areas.

Water Lobelia, Lobelia dortmanna, Plúr an locháin