Sarcocornia perennis (Perennial Glaswort) - a new site in Bannow Bay

 A new site for Perennial Glasswort has been found at Saintkierans on the NW side of Bannow Bay. P. Glasswort is only known from Co. Wexford in Ireland. Above is a close up of a flower.

 Above the patch half submerged at high tide.

Showing habitat on side of the creek, a patch of Sea-purslane grows by the P. Glasswort and behind is a large stand of Sea Rush.

Spergularia bocconei found new for Ireland at Rosslare Harbour

The above photo is the site of Spergularia bocconei (Greek Sea-spurrey) - forgot to take a photo - which grew by the thousands over this area of flat waste ground. Jim Ratter the BSBI Referee for Spergularia has just confirmed my ID for me. A specimen will be placed in Glasnevin (DBN).

Little-Robin found new for the county

Geranium purpureum (Little-Robin) was added to the list of species found in Wexford in June. The picture above was taken at Rosslare Harbour where it grew with Geranium lucidum (Shining Crane's-bill) on a large area of flat waste ground which joins the ferry port. Little-Robin is a rare species in Ireland only known otherwise from Cos Cork & Waterford.

 Above: close up of flower

The same day Little-Robin was found at another site in the county, this time on the site of the disused railway station at Ballycullane. Here Little-Robin grew on the old station platform as well as along the railway. At Dungarvan, Co. Waterford the Little-Robin also grew along the railway (now disused and is a footpath), these two railways were once linked. Could the Little-Robin have travelled along the railway line like other species? Could there be other populations waiting to be discovered?

Rough Clover on the Hook refound after 132 years

H.C. Hart reported Trifolium scabium Rough Clover from margin of cliff a little south of Carnivon Point on the Hook in August 1882. There have been no reports since. In May Ro FitzGerald, Paula O'Meara (in photo above) and myself went and visited the site. To our surprise we found the clover over a 30m stretch in good numbers. Below is the clover.