Plants

Bog-rosemary

Bog- Rosemary (Andromeda polifolia)

Bog-rosemary is a scarce, evergreen plant with small pale pink flowers in May and June. It is one of the few peatland species that occurs exclusively on lowland raised bogs. In Northern Ireland, the species is scarce, being recorded on only five sites in recent years including Peatlands Park and Ballynahone Bog NNR. Bog-rosemary was once more widespread in Northern Ireland. It has undergone considerable decline due to the destruction of lowland raised bog habitats for fuel and horticulture and became extinct in Co. Down as early as 1927. In Northern Ireland Bog rosemary is specially protected under Schedule 8 of the Wildlife Order and has been identified as a Species of Conservation Concern because of its scarcity and decline in distribution. The conservation of this species will be given due consideration in the delivery of the Northern Ireland Lowland Raised Bog Habitat Action Plan.

Click here to view a distribution map of the Bog-Rosemary in Northern Ireland.