2013 UK orchids (2 Viewers)

[rmielcarek]

Cheers Sean - as rhodochila is said to be hyperchromic I have always expected them to show a really intense pigmentation in the centre of the flower at least. The Bucks plant looked quite dapper and refined compared to my previous experience of the var

Cheers

James

The original write-up of var rhodochila in Watsonia 18 (pages 307 - 309) talks about plants where the pattern of dots and lines on the lip are replaced by a solid 'blotch'.

It also mentions that intermediates occur.

The formal definition used in the paper was as follows;

It differs from typical D. fuchsii as follows: leaves rather more heavily spotted, the labellum marked with a broad central reddish-purple area with paler edges in place of dots and small lines. In extreme examples the leaves are suffused on the upper surfaces with purple and the whole labellum is a rich dark purple without a pale margin.

Make of that what you will!

Rich

 

[leptochila]

Midlands orchids

A few pics of orchids sourced in the midlands over the last 2 days.

Mike

 

[heakl]

Do I not see a second leaf pointing towards the observer, slightly higher up the stem?

Sean

You do, but the norm for Butterfly orchids is surely to have two leaves at the base of the stem. If leaves close to bottom of the stem are regarded as basal leaves then the third plant shown by Rich in post 301 above is pentafolia!

Alan

 

[heakl]

Todays oddity

 

[Gareth Stamp]

Cardiff area, South Wales

1 bee orchid in flower with many more in bud

 

[Ghostly Vision]

Went to have a look at Childhood Memories's "white Frog Orchid" today (post 278.)

There is only one other record I know of (thanks young hunter), and no mention whatsoever in the literature, of Frog Orchids without anthocyanin.

It is surrounded by perfectly normal Frog Orchids, and stands out a mile.

That makes this plant a significant find. Thanks CM.

 

[Ghostly Vision]

A few pics of orchids sourced in the midlands over the last 2 days.

Mike

Worcestershire is a great county, eh, Mike?

 

[Ghostly Vision]

Early Marsh in perfect flower in Oxfordshire also today.

It would appear that White helleborine is having a poor year in terms of numbers in the Chilterns, although plants themselves are quite large. This seems to be in contrast to Sword-leaved hells, which seem to be in good numbers everywhere.

 

[leptochila]

Worcestershire is a great county, eh, Mike?

It's like my (now our) back garden yet it has so much to offer when you know where to look!

 

[muba]

You could always give the bird observatory at sandwich a call - there are SM orchids on site there too 01304 617341 .

They say the Lizards are starting to appear and there could be a few by early next week. I do hope so, but weather has regressed from summer up here last cuple of days.

 

[prhodes]

Apologies for the rather naive questions, but anyone know if the LS Orchids are still in flower at Gait Barrows and the Coralroot Orchids at Sandscale?

Currently on the road working and away from good internet access and my books (my excuse anyway).

Regards, Phil

 

[Rafeabrook]

Hi all, just found this site and thread and like everyone else here I'm keen to combine my hobbies of photography and flora (specifically orchids). I have read the last few pages of this thread and can't see much activity around Herts/Beds where I live. I am aware of White Helleborine's at Thurfield and have heard of Burnt Orchids at Knocking Hoe. Does anyone know if the Burnts at Knocking Hoe (Chilterns) are the early or later flowering variety as I went up there 2 weeks ago and couldn't find anything, despite a few late Pasque Flowers clinging on gamely? Appreciate the sensitivity around disclosing too specific site information on a public forum, but if anyone would be willing to share through PM or on here any other Herts/Beds sites currently 'baring fruits' I would be much appreciative! Thanks, Rafe

 

[heakl]

Went to have a look at Childhood Memories's "white Frog Orchid" today (post 278.)

There is only one other record I know of (thanks young hunter), and no mention whatsoever in the literature, of Frog Orchids without anthocyanin.

It is surrounded by perfectly normal Frog Orchids, and stands out a mile.

That makes this plant a significant find. Thanks CM.

Are these of interest Sean, first one taken today in Gloucestershire, second one taken in Cumbria last year, the second could possibly be the same as Mike's, I seem to remember discussing the site with him.

Alan

 

[heakl]

A particularly attractive pair of Fly orchids from Gloucestershire, note the unusual long green petals.

Alan

 

[leptochila]

Are these of interest Sean, first one taken today in Gloucestershire, second one taken in Cumbria last year, the second could possibly be the same as Mike's, I seem to remember discussing the site with him.

Alan

Hi Alan

These seem to lack anthocyanin to the same degree as Phil's. I think because Frog orchids are often greenish in colour, the absence of anthocyanin is rarely noticed hence the lack of records rather than a genuine rarity. A call for everyone to dig out their Frog pics for a good look! Nonetheless, as Sean rightly notes, this variant has never been formally described so maybe Phil has stumbled on something big here!

The record Sean is referring to comes from near Llanfair Clydogau, not far from Aberystwyth, where several plants were seen in 1994. I personally think I've found similar plants with the 'ghostly' appearance elsewhere in Britain, particularly one at Parsonage Down in 2008. When I'm back in Aber, I'll dig out pics on my external and post in a separate thread (hopefully the pics are of a reasonable quality!)


Mike

 

[heakl]

Hi Alan = yes I have considered Rhodochila but this may be worthy of discussion.., My plant doesn't show an really intense colouration I would expect from hyperchromic variants as the colour looks uniform throughout the flower, but maybe it is at at the less extreme end of the spectrum. However,the leaves were unspotted. Keen to see what others think.

Cheers James

Hi James,
I've been shown photographs of flowers that were described to me as "low intensity" rhodochila, very similar to your flower but with even less intense colouration.

Alan

The photographer has kindly given me permission to put the photograph on the forum. Whatever you might think about the designation, it's certainly is a lovely flower.

Alan

 

[rmielcarek]

Hi Alan

These seem to lack anthocyanin to the same degree as Phil's. I think because Frog orchids are often greenish in colour, the absence of anthocyanin is rarely noticed hence the lack of records rather than a genuine rarity. A call for everyone to dig out their Frog pics for a good look! Nonetheless, as Sean rightly notes, this variant has never been formally described so maybe Phil has stumbled on something big here!

The record Sean is referring to comes from near Llanfair Clydogau, not far from Aberystwyth, where several plants were seen in 1994. I personally think I've found similar plants with the 'ghostly' appearance elsewhere in Britain, particularly one at Parsonage Down in 2008. When I'm back in Aber, I'll dig out pics on my external and post in a separate thread (hopefully the pics are of a reasonable quality!)


Mike

Here's one from 2011, a misshapen plant, possibly same site as Alan's from today.

Rich M

 

[grumps]

Hi all, checked a few sites in Rutland yesterday and found eight species in around Rutland Water. These included Early Marsh Orchid, Greater Butterfly Orchid, Frog Orchid, Common Twayblade, Southern Marsh Orchid, Common Spotted Orchid, Green winged Orchid and Heath Spotted Orchid. The majority of the Orchids will probably be at there best in the next couple of weeks?
Also if you want more info on the orchids drop me DM...
Cheers,
Dave.

Thanks -have sent a private message

Hugh

 

[naturenutz]

A single orchid found on a site near my home in north Bristol today .
Can anyone give it it a positive id for me please.

 

[rmielcarek]

A single orchid found on a site near my home in north Bristol today .
Can anyone give it it a positive id for me please.

Looks like a Southern Marsh - they seem to be popping up all over the place locally this year.

Rich M