Photographs: Co. Cork

Red Bartsia Odontites vernus Hocas tae Family: Scrophulariaceae Flowering time: June-August. Hemiparasitic annual. Native. Reddish-pink flowers, two-lipped, in terminal leafy spike. Hairy seed capsule. Lanceolate leaves un-stalked, toothed, opposite. Branched, hard stems. Erect downy plant, very variable. Height: To 50 cm Two sub-species are recognized, with some Irish plants intermediate between the two. Abundant throughout Ireland on waste ground, roadsides and on stony arable land.

Red Bartsia, Odontites vernus, Hocas tae