There are 5,280 species of flora and fauna on the Isle of Mull, of interest to specialists and amateurs alike. I will make sure that there are plenty of opportunities for you to take photographs of some of the island’s wildflowers. (Please remember that it is an offence to pick wildflowers from their natural habitat), it is better to look and enjoy than to pick the flowers.
Breathtaking banks of primroses, carpets of thrift, thyme, and bluebells on every road verge, and three varieties of heather carpet large areas of the island.
The flora and fauna on the Isle of Mull, are of interest to specialists and amateurs alike. From mid-May through to July a wide variety of orchids are in full bloom. Species to be seen include Fragrant Orchids, Northern Marsh Orchids, Common Spotted Orchids, Heath Spotted Orchids, Early Purple Orchids, Greater and Lesser Butterfly Orchids, and more.
The earliest of many varieties of wild orchids which we have on Mull, the Narrow-leaved Helleborine is a rare woodland orchid now growing in great numbers in the Calgary ‘Art in Nature’ woodland walk and the Heath spotted orchid grows widely on the moors and boggy ground on Mull.
Breathtaking banks of primroses, carpets of thrift, thyme, and bluebells on every road verge, and three varieties of heather carpet large areas of the island. Bluebells flower in profusion in shaded woodland or open banks on Mull.
The profusion of Birds Foot Trefoil provides food for the larvae of the common Blue Butterfly and the Couch grass, Thistles and Nettles feed those of the Peacock and Painted Lady Butterfly. Dragonflies and Damselflies abound in the short season of warm moist and still conditions which often prevail in the summertime.
Bluebells flower in profusion in shaded woodland or open banks on Mull. The Common butterwort is an insect-eating plant often seen on the edges of bogs also known as the Bog violet for its delicate violet-like flower
Flag Iris and Bogbean flourish in ponds, on loch edges, and in the wetter parts of Mull.
Mountain Everlasting is found on dry pasture and mountain slopes, this small patch was found around Eas Force Waterfall amongst Milkwort and Tormentil (the small yellow flower) Milkwort is common on the heaths, dunes, and grasslands of Mull but this tiny flower is often missed unlike the carpets of rose-pink honey-scented Thrift or Sea Pink that add colour and beauty to our shores and cliffs. |
