Ornithopus perpusillus (birds-foot)

Collected from: Cork

Description: Prostrate, downy annual. Leaves pinnate ending in a leaflet. Flowers 5-petalled with 'standard' at the top, two narrower side 'wings' and lower two petals joined to form the 'keel'. Flowers found 3-8 in a head, yellowish-white or pink, red veined.

Habitat: Plant of dry sandy and gravelly places along the south and east coasts of Ireland.

Threats: This species was apparently declining but as it is somewhat sporadic in appearance, it was thought that the species may be refound at some of it's former sites. This was indeed the case and this species has now been removed from the Flora Protection Order.