It's that wonderful time of year when the Irish landscape is filled with bright & beautiful wildflowers. Brightening up every countryside walk, woodland floor, roadside, beach, mountains, everywhere!
Every year the flowers reappear, and every year I need to refresh my memory of what they are, what we can do with them & what magic they hold.
Did you know...
Wood Sorrel, found very commonly in woodlands and shady hedgerows, can be foraged and eaten. It has a sharp taste and been likened to apple skins, grapes and lemons. Used to make a zingy salad or added to fish sauces and soups.
Orchids are scattered all across our landscape, 31 different varieties infact! The Common spotted Orchid being the most likely one to find.
According to old Irish cures, Saint Patrick's Cabbage (a less common wildflower but still found all over on more rocky areas) is said to heal cuts and burns. While rubbing it on the affected areas, it was customary to say five 'Our Fathers', five 'Hail Marys' and five 'Glorias'. If you don't rub and say the prayers at the same time, the cure failed.
Below I've identified 15 of my recent finds and at the bottom of the page you can download my free illustrated Wildflowers of Ireland Print! Free free to print this out and bring on your walks.
Part #2 with many more wildflowers to identify will be coming soon!
Happy hunting :)
PS. I'm still learning, an amateur for sure. If I've mis-identified or given any mis-information, don't be afraid to let me know. You don't know what you don't know :)
eg x
DOWNLOAD FREE ILLUSTRATED PRINT BELOW
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