This is a rare native subspecies which flowers mainly in counties Cork and Wexford. It is a perennial and it grows to a height of about 80cm. Spikes of violet-blue flowers rise up from basal rosettes of wrinkly, sage-like leaves, the flowers blooming from May to August. Each flower is two-lipped – the hooded upper lip having two lobes, the lower being three-lobed. There are two stamens and a short style. The entire plant is finely hairy with glandular hairs towards the upper parts of the plant. It is a species which likes dry grassland. This is a member of the Dead-nettle (Lamiaceae) family.
I came across Wild Clary – much to my delight – purely by accident! It was a lovely occurrence and took place last June (2016) in County Wexford. I photographed it then.
If you are satisfied you have correctly identified this plant, please submit your sighting to the National Biodiversity Data Centre
