Nature on our doorsteps: Cowslips in May
By Rosaleen Dwyer
Rosaleen Dwyer is the County Heritage Officer at South Dublin County Council – every week she gives us an insight into the natural heritage around us and the beautiful biodiversity of the plants and creatures
The Cowslip is traditionally a plant of old cow pastures and flowering meadows. It flowers in late April and early May.
Over the last 50 years, however, these traditional habitats have changed. They have been built upon, or they have been reseeded and fertilised to grow more vigorous grasses that are used to make silage.
Cowslip’s yellow flowers hang in a bunch from the top of the stem
These conditions do not suit wildflowers. Today, therefore, we are more likely to see Cowslips along our roadways, in the grassy verges in our housing estates, or in our parks.
Cowslips grow well in soils that contain some lime.
As the geology of most of the northern part of South Dublin County consists of a form of limestone called ‘Calp’, Cowslips can be plentiful in some areas.
In addition, the light sandy soils of the esker landscape in Greenhills, Tymon, and Lucan, also offer great habitats for this plant.
In May Cowslips dominate the esker meadows in Tymon Park
The name Cowslip is thought to originate from the term ‘cow-slop’, reflecting the plant’s traditional habitat amongst the cowpats in the old flower-rich meadows where cows grazed.
Cowslip’s name in Irish is Bainne bó bleachtáin, which generally translates as ‘juice of the milk cow’.
This is most likely a reference to the old folklore tradition of rubbing the flowers on the cow’s udders on May 1, to guard against poor milk production.
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