A LIST OF PLANTS ON THE FLORA
(PROTECTION) ORDER, 1999 IN OFFALY.
A LIST OF PLANTS ON THE FLORA
(PROTECTION) ORDER, 1999 IN OFFALY
A Report to Offaly County Council
September 2007
Fiona Devery, BSc Dip Field Ecology
Table of Contents
page
Introduction………………………………………….
1
Acinos arvensis……………………………………..
2
Eriophorum gracile………………………………….
6
Galeopsis angustifolia………………………………
6
Groenlandia densa………………………………….
10
Hordeum secalinum…………………………………
11
Lycopodiella inundata……………………………….
14
References……………………………………………. 14
Introduction
The primary legislation aimed at protecting rare plant species in Ireland is the
Flora (Protection) Order, 1999, S.I. No. 94/1999. A number of plants occur in
Offaly which are named on the order. This report sets out to work towards a list
of these plants and their sites in Offaly.
The list was compiled during the summer of 2007 using the records of both the
National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPW) and the Botanical Society of the
British Isles (BSBI).
After selection, the sites were visited and searched for the plants. If found a
national grid reference was taken using the Global Positioning System (GPS).
The population size was estimated and any conservation designation for the site
was also noted.
Certain problems were encountered. Some records were old and difficult to trace.
Others were found to be outside the county border. The sand and gravel pits
(habitats for some of Offaly’s protected plants) have undergone heavy extraction.
The last is a problem in the short term but may lead to an increase in the habit in
the long term. This in turn may give rise to another problem, that of habit
management for plants that require a bare or disturbed environment.
It is accepted that the list here is not complete and will therefore need to be
updated as our knowledge of the flora of Offaly increases. It may also change
when a proposed new list of protected and vulnerable plants is published in the
future.
It is accepted that the fact that a plant was not found does not mean that it is
extinct at that site.
Acknowledgements
I would like to acknowledge the following people and organizations.
 The NPWS
 Noel Bolger
 Colm Malone
 Noreen Smyth
 The previous County recorders Dr. K. Lamb and Mrs. A. Austin
 The members of the County Offaly Heritage Forum
Acinos arvensis (Clinopodium acinos)
Basil thyme
A. arvensis is an herb of open habitats. In Ireland it is mainly found in sandy and
gravelly sites including eskers.
Site 1: Grid reference N6568 2933
The Long Derries,
Edenderry,
Site description
This interesting site is comprised of three old gravel pits and a disused railway
line (Bord Na Mona). Along with the large population of A. arvensis there are
many other scarce plants such as Erigerion acer (Blue fleabane) and some
unusual aliens.
Site designation: SAC (Special Area of Conservation).
Plant present.
Population size: Greater then 1000 plants.
The Long Derries.
Site 2: Grid reference N6200 3096
Road side,
Portarlington Road,
Edenderry
Site description
The site consists of a stretch of roadside gravel verge app. 80m long.
Site designation: none.
Plant present.
Population size: Up to 100 plants.
Roadside corner on Portarlington Road, Edenderry.
Site 3 Grid reference N2513 2251
Rabbitburrow,
Church Hill,
Blueball,
Tullamore
Site description
The site consists of a large disused sand quarry with several interesting plant
species.
Site designation: None.
Plant present.
Population size : Up to 1000 plants.
Rabbitburrow.
Eriophorum gracile
Slender cottongrass
Site 1
Grid reference S052988
Sharavogue bog
Sharavogue
Birr
Site description
An area of floristically rich fen situated between the bog and the old rail track.
Co. Offaly
Plant not found but is probably still present amongst the large number of other
Eriophorum spps on the site.
Site designation: SAC
Galeopsis angustifolia
Red hemp-nettle
An annual of open ground found on calcareous substrates including eskers.
Site 1 Grid reference N00247 10774
Coneycarn Pit,
Glaster,
Birr.
Site description
A large, disused sand quarry, containing an interesting flora.
Site designation: SAC
Plant present
Population size: Up to 100 plants.
Coneycarn Pit.
Site 2 Grid reference N37476 30877
Murphy’s Bridge Esker,
Tullamore.
Site description
A section of esker with a rich esker flora.
Site designation: PNHA (Proposed Natural heritage Area).
Plant present.
Population size: Up to 100 plants.
Murphy’s Bridge Esker.
Site 3: Grid reference N26977 23048
Agall Quarry
Agall,
Blue Ball,
Tullamore,
Site description
The site is a large active quarry containing areas of interesting flora.
Site designation: none
Plant present.
Population size: Several hundred plants.
Agall Quarry
Site 4: Grid reference N20 30
Sponam Castle
Site not found.
Site 5: Grid reference N255 215
Church Hill Quarry
Blue Ball,
Tullamore
Site description
The site is a large sand and gravel pit.
Plant not found
Site 6: Grid reference N62 28
Sheridan’s Sand Pit
Shean,
Edenderry
Site description
The site is a very large sand pit.
Plant not found.
Groenlandia densa
Opposite-leaved pondweed
Site1: Grid reference N 030 180
Shannon Harbour,
Site description
A drain between road and Callows
Site designation: SAC and SPA
Plant not found. The drain was very shaded and over grown.
Site 2: Grid reference N340 250
Tullamore River.
Tullamore
Site description
The river near the bridge situated behind the library.
Site designation: None.
Plant not found. This is an old record and the site is not very accessible. The
area needs further searching.
Hordeum secalinum
Meadow barley
A perennial herb of pastures and meadows in river flood plains.
Site 1 Grid ref. N01172 16232
Banagher.
Site description
A grazed meadow lying between the Shannon and the old railway line.
Site designation: SAC and SPA
Plant present.
Population size: Over 100 seed heads.
Banagher
Site 2: Grid reference N02198 18515
Minus Island
Banagher,
Site description
An area of Shannon callow which is cut annually for hay.
Site designation: SAC and SPA
Plant present.
Population size: Not estimated.
Minus Island
Lycopodiella inundata
Marsh clubmoss
Site 1: Grid reference N26 36
Woodfield Bog
Clara
Site description
The site consists of industrial peat cuttings.
Site designation: PNHA.
Plant not found. Personal correspondence from Dr Lamb to Mrs Austin stated
that the site was lost to peat harvesting.
References