On Saturday we attended the HOS field trip to east Kent, and very good it was too.
First stop was another Late Spider orchid colony, this one holding 53 plants, including one with white sepals and yellowy white petals and another with funny lip markings (bit like the seaside symbol).
Then we headed for the seaside.
Rich M
By pure chance, I met Alan (heakl) who was also enjoying them on the windswept slopes. Knew I'd bump into a birdforumer at some stage!
As a number of you know i have been doing a full orchid survey of the Peak District for the last three years. Whilst exploring new territory tonight i came across this bizzare flooking flower. I want to say that its Epipactis Purpurata Achlorophyllous, but there have never been any Violet Helleborines recorded in North Staffordshire, and the Chlorophyl lacking variety have never been recorded anywhere near this far north???
Byron.
Don't know if it's just me or if this variant is rare in the west country but I've only seen it once before today.
Guided by some privately shared information (thanks a lot) I was able find 5 plants, and very nice they were too.
Am I correct in thinking it's more common in the south-east?
Rich M
As a number of you know i have been doing a full orchid survey of the Peak District for the last three years. Whilst exploring new territory tonight i came across this bizzare flooking flower. I want to say that its Epipactis Purpurata Achlorophyllous, but there have never been any Violet Helleborines recorded in North Staffordshire, and the Chlorophyl lacking variety have never been recorded anywhere near this far north???
Byron.
Hi Alan, the photo was taken with a flash, as it was late evening and the woodland was very dark. Broad Leaved Helleborine are the only species growing in this woodland. No other Helleborines have ever been recorded in a wide distance of the area. I am heading back tommorow night and will take photo's of the neighbouring plant and check the area for others, then post on here. Byron