We were given excellent directions for two sites supposed to have plenty of examples of this plant but actually found very few. This one was one of the few which was still in full bloom, most having only one or two florets left. It's flowering period obviously starts at the beginning of May. The species name maculata (spotted) refers to the leaves which can have purple spots but most often are not marked.

N. maculata is known only from a few sites in the west of Ireland where it is native.

Banks of River Caher Near Fanore, County Clare, Ireland 21st May 2005

Added on 24th May 2005, updated 14th January 2011