An Overview
Explore the Botany of Bantry Bay
Special to the area are the so-called Lusitanian species which only occur in south-west Ireland and the north western part of the Iberian peninsula. These include Irish Spurge (Euphorbia hyberna), the insectivorous Large-flowered Butterwort (Pinguicula grandiflora) and St Patrick’s Cabbage (Saxifraga spathularis). On the Beara Peninsula there are several populations of Killarney Fern (Trichomanes speciosum), a rare fern that is listed on Annex II of the EU Habitats Directive. Other rare species of note include Kerry Lily (Simethis mattiazzii), Canadian St John’s Wort (Hypericum canadense), Narrow-leaved Helleborine (Cephalanthera longifolia), Betony (Stachys officinalis) and Irish lady’s Tresses (Spiranthes romanzoffiana).
A feature of the mountainous land around the bay is its peatlands with blanket bog and heath dominating the hills. These support typical peatland species such as sphagnum mosses, Purple Moor-grass (Molinia caerulea), Deergrass (Trichophorum germanicum), cotton grasses (Eriophorum spp), Bog Asphodel (Narthecium ossifragum), sundews (Drosera spp) and Black Bog-Rush (Schoenus nigricans). In terms of heathers, the wetter areas typically support Cross-leaved Heath (Erica tetralix) and the driers areas Ling (Calluna vulgaris) and Bell Heather (Erica cinerea).
The mountain tops support some Arctic-alpine species such as Dwarf Willow (Salix herbacea), the very rare Recurved Sandwort (Minuartia recurva) and Stiff Sedge (Carex bigelowii). Also present in these areas is Fir Clubmoss (Huperzia selago).
The most extensive woodland in the area is Glengarriff Nature Reserve which is dominated by Sessile Oak (Quercus petraea), Holly (Ilex aquifolium) and Downy Birch (Betula pubescens), with many other trees species also present including Scot’s Pine (Pinus sylvestris), Yew (Taxus baccata), Rowan (Sorbus acuparia) and Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo). A feature of the woodland is its rich bryophyte, lichen and fern flora, with many of the trees covered in these epiphytes.
The other pages here provide information on Seaweeds, Lichens, Mosses & Liverworts – all of which Ellen studied in detail. In each case, there is a free leaflet and a publication available from the online shop. There is other information too, including short films and instructions for pressing seaweeds to make specimens. Click on the word to go to the relevant page.
The latest addition to the botany publications available here is Wetlands and Wildflowers – An introductory guide to the Bantry Bay area written by Clare Heardman and with beautiful photographs of both the habitats and the flowers. Click Here for more of a description and to see two double spread pages from it.
There are also two Tree Trails, one for native species and one specifically for use in the grounds of Bantry House. While written for children and families, they are suitable for all those with an interest in finding out more about trees. Both are free to download and leaflets can be picked up in Bantry Library, Bantry Tourist Office and Bantry House.
Link & Resources
Seaweeds
Vascular plants
- Distribution maps (BSBI)
- Distribution maps (Biodiversity Ireland)
- Plant identification online resources (Irish Wild Flowers)
- Plant identification online resources (Wild Flowers of Ireland)
- Field trips and other botanical resources
- Bantry Bay’s islands are also botanically rich as documented in this book