Wildflowers and other plants

It’s not just trees in our Cloudforest sites - there’s an abundance of wildflowers and other plants, mosses and lichens that are worthy of our attention

Have a look at some of the beautiful wildflowers that line our forests

A purple flower blooming among green leaves, surrounded by grass and dried plants on the ground.

Common Dog-Violet

Close-up of small pink and white wildflowers growing in grass with a green background.

Yarrow

Close-up of delicate white and pink flowers with green stems and spiky hairs, set against a blurred green background.

Wavy Bittercress

Three yellow flowers blooming among green leaves in a garden. One flower has a bee collecting nectar.

Lesser Celandine

A close-up of a dandelion seed head with some seeds dispersed, surrounded by green grass.

Common Dandelion

Purple flowering plant growing among green grass and foliage

Marsh Woundwort

Why are Wildflowers Vital for Our Planet?

They promote biodiversity by providing habitats and food sources for a variety of native insects, birds, and small mammals.
Many Irish wildflowers offer nourishment and habitat to pollinating insects like bees, flies, butterflies, and beetles, supporting their survival and growth.
Perennial wildflower meadows serve as carbon sinks, contributing to climate change mitigation by absorbing and storing carbon dioxide in their roots and soil. One hectare of such meadow can capture and sequester up to 3 tonnes of carbon annually.
The extensive root systems of numerous native wildflowers contribute to enhancing soil structure and fertility, which helps minimise erosion and nutrient loss. Consequently, this improves water retention and fosters thriving soil ecosystems, supporting a wide variety of microorganisms and beneficial soil life.
Native wildflowers, adapted to local conditions, are often more resilient to climate change impacts like drought, floods, and extreme temperatures than non-native species. Conserving and restoring their habitats boosts ecosystem resilience. Protecting Irish native wildflowers supports ecological, cultural, and aesthetic benefits and strengthens global ecosystem health.

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