Stachys officinalis (L.) Trevis., Betony
Account Summary
Native or very possibly introduced, probably extinct. European temperate, also native in C Asia, introduced in Fennoscandia and locally in N America.
2 August 1970; Farrell, Ms L.; NE shore of Monawilkin Lough.
August.
While the validity of the solitary Fermanagh record of this distinctive wintergreen perennial species which flowers from June to September is made more doubtful by the list of associated species ranging from those indicative of soils varying from base-rich fens to dry limestone grassland, to bogs and acid peaty ground, experience proves that such odd things occasionally do happen! The Monawilkin site where S. officinalis was recorded is famous for the wealth of species that it supports and it is now a designated NR. The most likely habitat of damp, peaty soil formed over limestone, supporting rough permanent calcareous pasture by a lakeshore, may here, as it does in the Burren, Co Clare (H9), permit otherwise unlikely associations. Unfortunately, the species has never been refound, despite an enormous amount of time spent surveying the NR prior to its designation and subsequently.
The most typical habitats frequented by S. officinalis are listed as hedge banks, grazed and ungrazed infertile grassland, open woods, woodland rides and margins, heaths and occasionally in cliff-top grassland. It is confined to vegetation that is both undisturbed and unproductive and that is typically species-rich since potential dominants have their vigour restricted (Grime et al. 1988, 2007; K. Walker, in: Preston et al. 2002). Betony typically occurs as scattered individuals, its seed dispersal is poor and it does not form a persistent soil seed bank (Roberts 1986; Grime et al. 1988, 2007).
Lynn Farrell, who discovered the plant, is now a very well-known field botanist of wide experience and a highly respected conservation officer. At the time, when she was under contract to the NI DOE for a limestone grassland field survey, she was just beginning her career as a field botanist.
Although S. officinalis is currently regarded as a native species in Ireland, having been previously recorded from 15 of the 40 VCs, its presence throughout the island has been in decline for many years (Cen Cat Fl Ir 2). In 1996, it was regarded as extinct in NI and therefore was deleted from the Wildlife Order (NI) Schedule 8 list of Protected Species by the Environment and Heritage Service.
Betony was one of the great 'all-heal' plants of medieval herbalists, being used to treat a multitude of ailments including coughs, stomach upsets and kidney, bladder and spleen complaints. In fact, Betony is a fraud, having no special virtue of any kind (Grigson 1955, 1987; Mabey 1996). The plant is probably long-lived, it has vegetative reproductive capability and its garden cultivation and propagation for herbal medicine purposes until recent years may well have assisted its local survival (Grime et al. 1988, 2007).
The New Atlas map displays the only Fermanagh record and two other old NI records, including one from Tyrone (H36) dating from 1909 (McNeill 2010) as introductions (pink symbol) and, although Monawilkin Lough is remote from habitation, the current author (RSF) is inclined to accept this designation of what must surely have been a garden escape.
Threats
None.