Flower power - Clough's wild orchids

A call has been made to protect a rare species of wildflower recently found growing in Grawn graveyard outside Cloughjordan.

Orchids - believed to be Flecked Marsh Orchids, which are not native to Tipperary - were discovered by local woman Gráinne Rice and her sister last spring. Like many elements of the natural world, it seems the flowers flourished during the lockdown of human activity. But, following the return to outdoor work in mid-May, Gráinne was saddened to return and find that the flowers had been cut as part of maintenance works in the graveyard.
She has since written to Tipperary Co Council in hope of protecting the rare species so that the flowers are not cut again should they bloom next spring. Thankfully - and surprisingly - a number of other varieties of orchid have already started growing again at Grawn. The Irish Wildlife Trust, Irish Orchid Society and a number of other organisations have been informed of the discovery. 

“Many orchid species are protected under the Wildlife Act so we wanted to submit our findings and had planned to ask that the orchids not be interfered with or cut,” Gráinne said of the Flecked Marsh discovery during the spring.

“Unfortunately the whole graveyard was strimmed and cut following the lifting of restrictions on the 18th of May when outdoor workers went back to work. All of the orchids and other wildflowers were cut back so they were not able to seed. 

“This was very disappointing to see as it inhibits the entire ecosystem that was developing on the site, including some very unusual butterflies that seem to have disappeared since the cutting back of the flora. I understand that whoever carried out the strimming may not have known that these species are rare.”

According to ‘The Wildflowers of Ireland’ field guide, the Flecked Marsh is “a rare native perennial only found in Clare and Galway”. Gráinne said there were between 15 and 20 of these orchids growing at the historic grave site, which she and her sister regularly visit on their walking route.

“My sister studies horticulture and botany in the botanic gardens, and we had begun to log and document the rare species growing there,” she said.

“These species were allowed to grow thanks to the graveyard being untouched for the growing season of these orchids from April through May, but unfortunately were cut before they could seed.”

“It was very disappointing for us as the site was really a little gem with such a variety of wildflowers, and orchids are known for being very particular where they will grow in the wild and cannot be transplanted.” 
However, on a more recent return to Grawn, the sisters were pleasantly surprised to find several other members of the orchid family growing there. Among those they identified were the Pyramidal Orchid, Heath Fragrant Orchid and Common Spotted Orchid. 

Gráinne put up a makeshift sign in the area where the orchids are growing, asking that the flowers would not be cut or strimmed. She hopes to raise awareness about the protection of rare species, particularly that of the Flecked Marsh, the appearance of which was quite unique in the surrounding landscape of mainly farmed and treated land. 

“I understand that the graveyard needs to be maintained but I was hoping to suggest that the workers be given some training on rare species and also using their discretion when cutting back,” Gráinne said. “Not all of the site needed cutting as a lot of it is short, mossy-type grass, and all that was cut in those areas was flower heads. I was hoping that the site could be left next year during April and May to see if the orchids return.”