A “near threatened” orchid has been discovered on the shores of south Galway Bay for the first time in 80 years.
Between 20 and 30 Autumn Lady’s Tresses orchids were identified this month in Rinville Park, close to Galway Bay Sailing Club.
These particular orchids are included in the “near threatened” category on the Red Data List of Vascular Plants 2016.
This orchid species starts to bloom in August and has a spiral arrangement of small white flowers which can grow to 20 centimetres.
The discovery was made during a joint environmental initiative by Galway County Council and Conservation Volunteers Galway to attract pollinating insects to Rinville Park.
The last recorded discovery of this orchid in Oranmore was in the 1940s, according to the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland.
In previous years, the new “Don’t Mow, Let it Grow” section of Rinville Park was cut short, frequently resulting in the growth and blooming of wildflowers being suppressed.
However, some seeds and plants can persist undetected for many years and re-emerge when mowing is stopped.
Rosina Joyce, Biodiversity Officer for Galway County Council said that “in biodiversity terms, this is a significant discovery and success story in this part of Co Galway”.
“The success of the “no-mow” project will provide a great opportunity for members of the public and local schools in the Oranmore area to see many of our wild native flowers in a public park and will hopefully inspire others to action as part of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan,”Joyce said.
“We are asking the public to not enter the marked “no-mow” area located near the carparking area at the seashore,” she said.
Ray Fallon is a member of Conservation Volunteers Galway, which was founded in 2010 to protect and enhance natural heritage through volunteer participation in practical conservation projects.
“The Lady's Tresses Orchid is just one of six wild orchid species in the no-mow areas at Rinville Park, the others being Early Purple, Common Spotted, Marsh, Bee and Pyramidal Orchids,”he said.
“In addition, there are over 30 other wildflower plant species growing there. It is a great joy to see so much biodiversity and an honour for our voluntary organisation to maintain the area on behalf of Galway County Council,”he said.
Visit www.biodiversityireland.ie for more on the Autumn Lady's Tresses Orchid and visit www.pollinators.ie for more information on the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan.