Local Orchid Sites N W S and E The Compass links (ABOVE) bring you to outstanding botanical Sites in, or near, Co. Roscommon. It is Home to us now! It has a greatly underestimated range of Flora and Plant habitats. Go out an Explore! Just click on any of the 4 BlueCompass points (ABOVE). 

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EAST Bee Orchid Birdsnest Orchid

WEST Marsh Orchids Fragrant Orchids

NORTH Small White & Greater Butterfly Orchid

Green Winged Orchid Dense-flowered Orchid  SOUTH

SUMMER

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RESEARCH : What to do?  WildWest has been recording and collating some interesting specialist Orchids, rare in general and unique as a collection in North West Ireland. List of all species in this area,  found in many different places. To go to Pages use the dark BLUE titles.

Orchids all around us!

Home Page 2026

First   orchid   we   see   in   the   year   is   the   Early   Purple   orchid    in   Spring,which   starts   the   season   off.   Then   it’s   the   Green-winged orchid,   followed   by   the    Dense   flowered   orchid.    Click   on   the   Compass   Links   on   the   Left   of   this   page   for   details   of   local orchids. Other   rare   orchids   found   around   the   west/north-west,   would   include   Small   White   Orchids   (May   and   June).   These   are   another protected species occurring in low hills around the Bricklieves; west of the Hills and the N4 route from Carrick-on-Shannon. Also   occurring   in   this   Habitat   (the   Bricklieves)   are   the   Lesser   Butterfly   Orchid   and   Greater   Butterfly   Orchid   (early   to   mid July)    The   Greater   Butterfly   Orchid   also   occurs   on   fields   on   lower   ground   which   are   left   ungrazed   into   early   Autumn;   where they   regularly   occur   if   undisturbed;   elsewhere   they   have   shown   rapid   decline   in   numbers   where   grass   is   cut   early   at   the   end   of May or June. Early   summer   around   the   North   West   brings   the   Common   and   Heath   Spotted   orchid ,   Bee   orchids ,   Frog   orchid   and Helleborines .   (Not   the   Fly   orchid ,   unfortunately,   very   rare   but   which   can   still   be   found   in   The   Burren ).   Then,   we   have   the season   (basically   JULY   to   OCTOBER)   when    Irish   Lady’s   Tresses      can   flower   and   propagate.If   the   water   level   rises   much   in Sept/Oct   these   plants   will   be   flooded.   BUT,   they   have   amazing   talent   to   recover   and   overwinter   while   underwater   on   the   Mayo lakes,      and   re-emerge   in   future   years.   Can   be   large   (40cm)   and   occur   in   numbers   up   to   600   if   not   damaged.   See   our Spiranthes romanzoffiana page. Last in the season (but not least!) is the lovely little Autumn Lady’s Tresses, found locally at Strandhill. See the Strandhill page HERE )

Spiranthes romanzoffiana (Irish Lady’s Tresses) Lough Cullin Co. Mayo 18th July 2026

Dense Flowered           Small White Orchid           Frog Orchid                   Early Marsh Orchid          Greater Butterfly               Fragrant Orchid                     Bee Orchid      

Spring/Summer collection of other Orchids: Moving from Left to Right these 7 featured early orchids emerge roughly in line with the seasons. These are mostly montane species growing in hilly places, coastal dunes and marshes.

Other Orchid species group into choice of Habitat; Marshes, Fields, Reed Beds  and the macabre Birds Nest Orchids without colour. Many rare white flowering Orchids from the West of Ireland (A PDF, Opens in new Tab) This is acomparison of four different white orchid species See link BELOW to ongoing surveys and research on  Irish Ladies Tresses aka… Spiranthes romanzoffiana