Barbara Northern Ireland is a type of grass

That grows mainly on shallow hills

Although it can be found in water meadows

 

Unknown until 1891 it was named after

Barbara Northern Ireland

A seamstress who lived in Paddington

 

She discovered the grasses in a dream

And immediately became aware

Of the significance of her discovery

 

Her employer contacted the Institute for Grasses

Who confirmed the originality of her find

And named the grasses after her in honour

 

In 1909 Barbara married Bertie New England

And moved to Northern India with his posting

She was last heard of in 1936 in New Ceylon

 

 

 

From the Natural History of Grasses (1909)