This is the start of a new Series allowing update of Numbers and Distribution on a yearly basis. i.e. Survey Counts and/or Maps…
The first group Page includes a selection of rare/uncommon/local orchids and plants found in the WildWest.ie area. The WhiteOrchidGroup
focuses on a surprisingly large and diverse series of orchids found around our Home place i.e Roscommon, Sligo, Donegal, Leitrim and Mayo. It is a
coincidence — or maybe it isn’t — that these rare and remote orchids are all coloured white. They also, along with a wider range of orchids, are
mainly lime loving and occur mainly on karst limestone topography either exposed or under shallow soil or peat.
Each year we will (we hope) report on the distribution, abundance, safety and success of these rather unusual Orchids which happen to grow
around us. By and large, they are well protected; their habitats are undisturbed, we know where to find them and how to monitor and protect
them with the help of local landowners who are supportive and protective of these rarer parts of our Biodiversity. Why are they white? Maybe
because they generally are found in remote locations. Their colour will attract fertilising insect species and plants are less likely to be damaged or
collected in areas of low population or difficult access.
Other orchids with brightly coloured flowers tend to occur in among other species such as the Bee Orchid, Marsh Orchids and Early Purple Orchids.
Fragrant Orchids also, are brightly coloured and have a very strong smell immediately detected when you are close by. This distinguishes them
from Common Orchids and they also can be shorter and only emerge from grasses, rushes, bushes etc. That leaves this bunch of very white
species which one might think to be vulnerable. The most vulnerable species in the collection is the Greater Butterfly Orchid — which has evidently
declined in traditional locations following further grazing on lowland hills. Once eaten, this species may not regrow again!
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WildWest.ie
Waterlevel DATA: Spiranthes romanzoffiana in Co. Mayo, Ireland re. flooding in the area! Flooding is now declining but too late for a recovery of Irish Lady’s Tresses. (7th September 2023)
White ORCHID group: 2023
White
Orchid
Group
We have gathered a closely related group of rare plants found in a
particular part of North West Ireland. These are all Orchids and
happen to be white flowering plants. WHY do all these rare orchids
happen to be WHITE! Also, apart from the Greater Butterfly Orchid,
they are mostly small.
Management & Conservation: To secure these sites they need to be
watched during the growing season, seed production, and as flowers
are dying back. This yearly cycle will repeat as long as the flowering and
seed production process is undisturbed. If the land is tilled or cut too
early these biodiverse plants will quickly die. Orchids produce just 1
flower each year unlike most shore plants which will produce many!
These plants occur in the Bricklieves, Kesh Mountain, Killeglan in S.
Roscommon, Mountains and other undisturbed areas. They can be
seen flowering abundantly. Some, like the Greater Butterfly Orchid
are spectacular but may disappear suddenly when active grazers are
introduced to their traditional wild habitat. But, many people also
guard them.
Why white?
Occur in rough high ground!
But may become extinct if more high ground is lost?
This species is a Special One for Ireland being
found in North America, Ireland and Scotland
only. It is widespread in US and Canada; this is
their native territory with, certainly, some of the
Irish population being established from seeds
blown across the Atlantic by upper level winds.
It is a beautiful plant with a long flowering
season (normally) from July to September. This
can be thwarted by early Summer flooding as,
for all practical purposes, this is a lake shore
plant typically occurring within 10 - 30cm in
vertical range above the local lake.
Unfortunately, this year was one of Summer
flooding starting from 16th July and continuing
until end of August. All plants in Loughs Conn,
Cullin and Levally have been drowned during
this period — apart from 1 plant on the side of
a major bog drain!
STATS:
In the period from plants emerging to the start
of flooding 371specimens were quickly
recorded around the 3 lakes we studied. In the
second half of July, water invaded until
September, when 3 specimens were again
recorded. These plants were barely alive and
any seed capsules (ovaries) were collapsed and
contained no seed. Some seed may possibly
have been released earlier but we weren’t able
to record any. Last year (2022) was a very good
year with widespread placement of seed all
around the area, so future prospects are good!
The West Mayo site studied in 2021 had a huge
number of S.spiralis; a visit in late August 2025
to the same site yielded none. The site appears
to have been re-seeded and improved, with
strip grazing all around. A sad sight.
The cluster of orchids seen above (and 1 single
early flower) were recorded from Strandhill, Co.
Sligo in 2024 where about 100 specimens were
noted. There were 10 specimens in the cluster
probably produced by vegetative budding.
There can be much higher numbers here and
at other sites like the dunes on the west side of
Belmullet where they can occur by the 1000’s in
suitable conditions.
An Interesting feature…
This species has a patchy distribution in Ireland
and otherwise occurs in England and Wales. It
is a very similar plant to romanzoffiana but has
a different and amazing distribution.
We have only recently become aware that this
plant has a semi-global distribution occurring
from the west of Ireland to the higher
Himalayas and is found through southern
Europe, the Middle East, India and Pakistan.
How they establish themselves in such remote,
cold and barren areas, relates to similarity of
the species with other Spiranthes genus. Both
‘Irish’ species rely on wind dispersal, one from
America to Ireland and the other from Ireland
to Asia! Ireland is the sole location where both
occur together.
Butterfly Orchids
There are two species, the Lesser and the
Greater Butterfly Orchid which we study here.
Some are found on a distinct promontory
pointing south about 1km. SE of Kesh Corran
peak.
This Greater Butterfly Orchid is, however,
influenced by grazing in 3 different locations,
the area (above) being secure and stable at
present. 5km SE of Kesh Corran there is a
Water Storage facility at Ballinafad (54.0355, -
8.3599) There is a large green sloping strip
here where large numbers of Platanthera
chlorantha occurred before a few horses took
over the area. Now none survive! This species
is so vulnerable because of its size, so
attractive to grazing animals, and very easily
detected.
At low-level between L. Key and the Sligo Road
(N4) a dedicated farmer has set her land aside
for several months in the Spring/Summer to
protect the species. This has yielded contin-
uous high count numbers in a small area.
The Greater Butterfly can occur in great
numbers and provides a magnificent display.
The larger species opens earlier and lasts
longer than the Lesser Butterfly Orchid and a
good specimen can be recognised from
0.25km across the hills.
The Small White Orchid is threatened and every
year we see many open pastures that are
grazed right at the start of the grazing season. It
is a beautiful small orchid, very thin and upright,
which can survive in small herbage or stand tall
in open fields where they are more at risk to
stock release onto the hills in May.
A secure Habitat:
Fortunately, these orchids have some friends in
the Bricklieve Mountains where every year cattle
are withdrawn and allow this species to flourish,
set seed, and fade away undamaged. The
numbers at this site, consequently, are steady
or increasing — as are the Greater Butterfly
Orchids at the same site.
This species can flower abundantly in mild
weather but the hot early Summer of 2023 dried
up many specimens — though some did recover
with later cooler damper weather. The
population should recover as they are
undisturbed, abundant, and seen to produce
much seed over many years. Thus, they can
easily repopulate other upland sites in
Roscommon and other areas.
Like other orchids this species will spend some
years developing underground before they are
able to produce a flower.
In 2024 the sample site contained c 31
specimens, compared with 2025 in same area,
52. Full survey not done but numbers good.
The Dense-flowered Orchid is the earliest
flowering orchid of this bunch of White
Flowered Orchids. We were happy to find and
record this species in an SAC in south
Roscommon.
Springs and Sumps:
A specific niche of springs (circular cones of
rock and grassland) and sumps in limestone
keeps this species happy. These sites can be
very exposed, hot, and full of sharp-edged
fractured limestone upland. Take care!
Typically this SAC site can yield varying results
(from 1 - 62) The first time we met them was
as we were leaving the site via a dried up
flood-way heading into an underground
sump. This was in 2021when we were
completing a detailed search for Green-
winged Orchids. (abundant that year) but we
had finished our search and were heading
away when in the middle of the dry channel
heading under-ground we spotted this plant
we hadn’t realised occurred there!
They also occur in Fermanagh, Donegal, west
Galway and Roscommon. Their numbers vary
dramatically depending on weather and water
features. The roadside site that yielded our
first Dense-flowered only had 1 specimen and
we had to wait another year for more...
2021 all sites surveyed 775
2022 long dry Summer with no flooding 666
2023 3 weeks from 11th July then flooded 371
2024 July/August (flooding late Aug)
534
2025 Late July/August Partial Survey
151
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A plant of windy hills
often hidden in high
grass but having
impressive short-lived
spikes and curved stem
as it searches light.
Loves these gentle
foothills of northwest
Ireland. A rare plant
that comes and goes
quickly.
ABOVE: Pinkish form of
species.
RIGHT:
Standard white form with
hints of cream but no
clear markings
At the Killeglan SAC
both forms are present
and we can see no clear
habitat selection
between them. More
obs. needed!
2021 Seen by Roadside sump. 19 May 1 plant!
2022 Killeglan site explored. 10th May :61
2023 17th & 21st May TOTAL = 60
2024 May (limited survey, hot weather: 14
Images from south
Roscommon, grazed in
Winter but protected
from Spring onwards
for this and other
species.
Hard site to survey with
very small initial buds
and flowers often
sheltered by rocks or
thorn bushes on the
edge of water or dried
up drains.
2021 KeshCarrowkeelMainand subSite 171
2022 Kesh SE 11/18th June. S facing slopes. 148
2023 Kesh SE slopes JUNE = 211
2024 Kesh SE slopes June = 73
2025 Kesh sample site June = 52
2022 Doon Shore (private site) 3rd July 142
2023 Doon Shore 17/28 June 101 (dry conditions)
2023 Kesh (SE slopes) JUNE = 1267
2024 Doon Shore, June
= 102
2025 Doon Shore =200+ (reported to us)
2021 many in dunes at Strandhill and Belmullet
2022 numerous over Strandhill 300-400 est.
2023 Strandhill c. 176
2024 Strandhill c. 100
2025 Strandhill c.160, West Mayo NONE**
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