Photos: Black Head, the Burren

Dark-red Helleborine Epipactis atrorubens Cuaichín dearg Family: Orchidaceae Flowering June-early August. Perennial. Native. Lax, one-sided spike of rich purplish-red, slightly-drooping flowers. Lip with two wrinkled bosses. Ovary hairy. Paler red or greenish flowers can occur. Leaves folded, keeled, usually more/less in two rows. Downy stem, 15-30cm. E. atrorubens var. lutescens Buff or yellowish flowers. Rock crevices and rocky ground over limestone. Rare, only found in the Burren, Co.Clare and in E Galway.

     



Dark-red Helleborine. Black Head, the Burren, County Clare. July 2008