Flora of The Burren

Despite the Burren’s harsh, rocky appearance, some have referred to it as ‘Fertile rock’ owing to the rich variety of flora species that inhabits the area. The herbs and tufts of grass that grow between the rocks are also very nutritious for animals. Of the twenty-seven orchid species that are native to Ireland, twenty-five of them are found in the Burren.

Some of the more unusual species of orchids found in the Burren National Park include; dense-flowered orchid, early-purple orchid, common-spotted orchid, fragrant orchid, fly-orchid, bee-orchid, frog orchid, lesser butterfly orchid and autumn lady’s tresses.

Hazel 4

English Name: Hazel Botanical Name (Latin): Corylus avellana Irish Name: Coll Order: DICOTYLEDONES Family: BETULACEAE Brief Description: Shrubby, deciduous tree; catkins (“lamb’s tails”) appearing in early Spring before leaves; leaves hairy, oval; hazel nuts enclosed in leafy bracts.

Carsten Krieger

Hazel 4
Carsten Krieger

Hazel 4

English Name: Hazel Botanical Name (Latin): Corylus avellana Irish Name: Coll Order: DICOTYLEDONES Family: BETULACEAE Brief Description: Shrubby, deciduous tree; catkins (“lamb’s tails”) appearing in early Spring before leaves; leaves hairy, oval; hazel nuts enclosed in leafy bracts.

Carsten Krieger

Enlarge image

Few trees are able to grow healthily in the Burren landscape, as any soil that can be found in the area is very shallow. Ash, blackthorn, holly and whitethorn can, however, be found growing from the deep grykes that exits along the limestone pavement. An example of one of the unique Burren Hazel Woodlands can be found along the slopes of the Aillwee Mountain.

A remarkable group of Mediterranean plants and Arctic-Alpine plants, both rare to Ireland, co-exist in this exceptional botanical environment. Examples of Arctic-Alpine plants include mountain aven, spring gentian and spring sandwort. Examples of Mediterranean plants include maidenhead fern, dense-flowered orchid and burnet rose.

Plants that love limestone soils (calciole) and acidic soils (calcifuge) are growing in the Burren, together with those plants that usually prefer a shady woodland habitat. They are all thriving in the unique eco-system of the exposed Burren landscape.