Floral 'smiling assassin': National plan needed to combat rhododendron spread in Killarney

Rhododendrons are 'strangling the life' out of flora and fauna in places like Killarney National Park

Introduced in the 18th century here and native to Spain and Portugal, the rhododendron's lilac flower stands out in May and is often admired. 

A national plan is needed to combat the "smiling assassin", the rhododendron, which is strangling the life out of flora and fauna in places like Killarney National Park, an environmental group has said.

Friends of the Irish Environment (FIE) said the rhododendron, while beautiful and picturesque, is a "death warrant" to patches of the countryside that it invades.