A LIST OF PLANTS ON THE FLORA (PROTECTION) ORDER, 1999 IN OFFALY.

A LIST OF PLANTS ON THE FLORA (PROTECTION) ORDER, 1999 IN OFFALY.

A LIST OF PLANTS ON THE FLORA (PROTECTION) ORDER, 1999 IN OFFALY A Report to Offaly County Council

September 2007 Fiona Devery, BSc Dip Field Ecology Table of Contents page Introduction. 1 Acinos arvensis.. 2 Eriophorum gracile. 6 Galeopsis angustifolia 6 Groenlandia densa. 10 Hordeum secalinum 11 Lycopodiella inundata. 14 References. 14

Introduction The primary legislation aimed at protecting rare plant species in Ireland is the Flora (Protection) Order, 1999, S.I. No. 94/1999. A number of plants occur in Offaly which are named on the order. This report sets out to work towards a list of these plants and their sites in Offaly. The list was compiled during the summer of 2007 using the records of both the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPW) and the Botanical Society of the British Isles (BSBI). After selection, the sites were visited and searched for the plants. If found a national grid reference was taken using the Global Positioning System (GPS). The population size was estimated and any conservation designation for the site was also noted. Certain problems were encountered. Some records were old and difficult to trace. Others were found to be outside the county border. The sand and gravel pits (habitats for some of Offaly s protected plants) have undergone heavy extraction. The last is a problem in the short term but may lead to an increase in the habit in the long term. This in turn may give rise to another problem, that of habit management for plants that require a bare or disturbed environment. It is accepted that the list here is not complete and will therefore need to be updated as our knowledge of the flora of Offaly increases. It may also change when a proposed new list of protected and vulnerable plants is published in the future. It is accepted that the fact that a plant was not found does not mean that it is extinct at that site. Acknowledgements I would like to acknowledge the following people and organizations. The NPWS Noel Bolger Colm Malone Noreen Smyth The previous County recorders Dr. K. Lamb and Mrs. A. Austin The members of the County Offaly Heritage Forum

Acinos arvensis (Clinopodium acinos) Basil thyme A. arvensis is an herb of open habitats. In Ireland it is mainly found in sandy and gravelly sites including eskers.

Site 1: Grid reference N6568 2933 The Long Derries, Edenderry, This interesting site is comprised of three old gravel pits and a disused railway line (Bord Na Mona). Along with the large population of A. arvensis there are many other scarce plants such as Erigerion acer (Blue fleabane) and some unusual aliens. Site designation: SAC (Special Area of Conservation). Plant present. Population size: Greater then 1000 plants. The Long Derries.

Site 2: Grid reference N6200 3096 Road side, Portarlington Road, Edenderry The site consists of a stretch of roadside gravel verge app. 80m long. Site designation: none. Plant present. Population size: Up to 100 plants. Roadside corner on Portarlington Road, Edenderry.

Site 3 Grid reference N2513 2251 Rabbitburrow, Church Hill, Blueball, Tullamore The site consists of a large disused sand quarry with several interesting plant species. Site designation: None. Plant present. Population size : Up to 1000 plants. Rabbitburrow.

Eriophorum gracile Site 1 Sharavogue bog Sharavogue Birr Slender cottongrass Grid reference S052988 An area of floristically rich fen situated between the bog and the old rail track. Co. Offaly Plant not found but is probably still present amongst the large number of other Eriophorum spps on the site. Site designation: SAC Galeopsis angustifolia Red hemp-nettle An annual of open ground found on calcareous substrates including eskers.

Site 1 Grid reference N00247 10774 Coneycarn Pit, Glaster, Birr. A large, disused sand quarry, containing an interesting flora. Site designation: SAC Plant present Population size: Up to 100 plants. Coneycarn Pit.

Site 2 Grid reference N37476 30877 Murphy s Bridge Esker, Tullamore. A section of esker with a rich esker flora. Site designation: PNHA (Proposed Natural heritage Area). Plant present. Population size: Up to 100 plants. Murphy s Bridge Esker.

Site 3: Grid reference N26977 23048 Agall Quarry Agall, Blue Ball, Tullamore, The site is a large active quarry containing areas of interesting flora. Site designation: none Plant present. Population size: Several hundred plants. Agall Quarry

Site 4: Grid reference N20 30 Sponam Castle Site not found. Site 5: Grid reference N255 215 Church Hill Quarry Blue Ball, Tullamore The site is a large sand and gravel pit. Plant not found Site 6: Grid reference N62 28 Sheridan s Sand Pit Shean, Edenderry The site is a very large sand pit. Plant not found. Groenlandia densa Opposite-leaved pondweed Site1: Grid reference N 030 180 Shannon Harbour, A drain between road and Callows Site designation: SAC and SPA Plant not found. The drain was very shaded and over grown.

Site 2: Grid reference N340 250 Tullamore River. Tullamore The river near the bridge situated behind the library. Site designation: None. Plant not found. This is an old record and the site is not very accessible. The area needs further searching. Hordeum secalinum Meadow barley A perennial herb of pastures and meadows in river flood plains.

Site 1 Grid ref. N01172 16232 Banagher. A grazed meadow lying between the Shannon and the old railway line. Site designation: SAC and SPA Plant present. Population size: Over 100 seed heads. Banagher

Site 2: Grid reference N02198 18515 Minus Island Banagher, An area of Shannon callow which is cut annually for hay. Site designation: SAC and SPA Plant present. Population size: Not estimated. Minus Island

Lycopodiella inundata Marsh clubmoss Site 1: Grid reference N26 36 Woodfield Bog Clara The site consists of industrial peat cuttings. Site designation: PNHA. Plant not found. Personal correspondence from Dr Lamb to Mrs Austin stated that the site was lost to peat harvesting. References