Irish Orchid, or Dense-flowered Orchid, is a short perennial. The flowers are a greenish-white or a dull pinkish purple, barely open and crammed together. The leaves of the purple-flowered flowers have purple spots. The plant grows in rocky or sandy places mainly in the Burren district of Clare, and extends, usually on stony soils, to north Galway and east Mayo. A few outlying colonies have recently been found in Roscommon, Offaly and Cork.

Though not obviously attractive, Irish Orchid is an interesting plant. It does not grow in Britain and is a native mainly of the Mediterranean region. It was not found in Ireland until 1864 when it was discovered by Miss F. M. More at Castle Taylor in Galway. Strangely, this southern plant grows in the same area as the Spring Gentian and Mountain Avens. Flowering time is May.

Irish Orchid is unknown in Britain but has recently been found in the Isle of Man. It grows in southern Europe, Madeira, the Canaries and North Africa.

From the Appletree Press title: Irish Wild Flowers.
Also from Appletree: A Little Book of Garden Flowers .

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