Limestone Pavement : Grassland

Spring Gentian 2

English Name: Spring gentian Botanical Name (Latin): Gentiana verna Irish Name: Ceadharlach Bealtaine Order: DIOTYLEDONES Family: GENTIANACEAE Brief Description: Dwarf, perennial herb, inconspicuous except when flowering; with basal rosette of leaves; flowers rich blue with white ?eye?, petals 5.

Carsten Krieger

Spring Gentian 2
Carsten Krieger

Spring Gentian 2

English Name: Spring gentian Botanical Name (Latin): Gentiana verna Irish Name: Ceadharlach Bealtaine Order: DIOTYLEDONES Family: GENTIANACEAE Brief Description: Dwarf, perennial herb, inconspicuous except when flowering; with basal rosette of leaves; flowers rich blue with white ?eye?, petals 5.

Carsten Krieger

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Some of the clint tops in the limestone pavement have small saucer-shaped depressions or shallow pans. These pools hold water or, often, a layer of organic material, which includes an algae called Nostoc. This algae exudes a mild acid which further breaks down the limestone.



In this way an even larger depression is formed which will eventually hold enough soil capable of sustaining a disparate range of plants and grasses. In some areas the limestone is covered by a layer of soil providing patches of grassy meadows, varying in size from small patches to full-sized fields.

This grassland supports spring gentian and many of the native orchids.