Photographs: Aughinish, Co. Limerick

Field Gentian Gentianella campestris Lus an chrúbáin Family: Gentianaceae Flowering July - October. Annual or biennial. Native Bluish-mauve flowers with 4 calyx and corolla lobes but the 2 outer calyx lobes are much larger and nearly hide the 2 narrow inner lobes. The stems are branched or simple with opposite leaves. Height to 30cm A decreasing species on neutral or acidic grassland and dunes. Classed as Near Threatened (Red Data List 2016) with most remaining Irish sites in the north, north-west and west. Similar: Autumn Gentian, Gentianella amarella. Calyx lobes +/- equal

Field Gentian, Gentianella campestris, Lus an chrúbáin