Photos: near Ballingeary, Co.Cork

Niger Guizotia abyssinica Family: Asteraceae Annual. Introduced. Bird-seed alien? Yellow flowers, solitary or in clustered heads. Self-sterile. Leaves opposite, serrate, ovate-lanceolate, stalk-less. Stems hairy, 50-150cm. Originated in the Ethiopian highlands. Seed used in some curries, also sold as bird seed, heat-sterilised to prevent germination. A favourite food of finches, especially Goldfinch and Greenfinch. Very rare casual, few recordings in Ireland. Identification by Paul Green and Ian Green

    
Above: Niger (Guizotia abyssinica). Forestry road near Ballingeary, Co.Cork. September 2007