Oh what fun these Bees are.
Rich M
Yup! I heard there are 37 bees in Norwich city centre so will be going to investigate over the weekend. You never know there maybe some interesting varieties there too....
Oh what fun these Bees are.
Rich M
Where did you get acrollophyllous from Sean? Not in my dictionary, and no results when I googled it! do you mean lacking chlorophyll?
Var. monotropoides is in Harrap 2005.
More to the point of this thread, a google search for "broad-leaved helleborine" + monotropoides will give several results, including:-
http://www.bsbi.org.uk/WarksBotanicalReport2011.pdf
There is a photograph of monotropoides on the first page, and yes, it does have a purple stem, exactly as Byron's photograph.
Alan
This is my first post.
I was interested to see a post about a sighting of Common spotted orchid var. Rhodochila in Somerset. Today I went to Alyn Waters, (nr Wrexham, N Wales) and was directed to a single specimen (probably just past its peak) of this variety.
The other surprise at this local site was to see quite a few Dune Helleborines - not yet fully in flower - another week or two, I should think. We had been over to Anglesey to Newborough Warren last week, but had certainly not expected to find them on our doorstep - well away from dunes. They were growing in the margins of light woodland on the Nature Reserve. Does anyone know how long they have been here?
The Epipactis at Alyn Waters were identified last year as Dune helleborines for the first time. Previously they were thought to be Broad-leaved.
There is quite a large number of Dune types there, but many if not all are what has been termed facultatively allogamous -i.e. they start out cross-pollinated before turning self-pollinated. This is an important feature when separating difficult helleborines. Other plants look closer to Broad-leaved.
Although it is currently accepted (based on visits last year by various people) that most plants there are "inland" Dune helleborines, my personal opinion is that more study might reveal some interesting results for not only this population but other inland ones in the north west.
Sean
I saw lots of frog orchids on the scarp near Aston Rowant this afternoon. Recent rain has resulted in some impressive spikes of common spotted. Three perfect white specimens. Only one bee orchid, though. That was disappointing.
Hilary
Hi Hilary
Did you see the hydrids or the rhodochila?
Sean
I'm off to the New Forest soon, where's the best site for Heath Fragrant OrchidHi all
Just back from a week camping in the New Forest, so for anyone heading that way an update on the orchids seen. However some advice that might come in useful. I have never seen the New Forest so wet underfoot at this time of year. Take wellies or like me suffer wet feet all day!
Bog Orchid - first few plants now in flower
Lesser Butterfly Orchid - very good numbers. Probably at their peak last week but there will still be many 'good' ones to see/photograph
Heath Fragrant Orchid - first plants now in flower
Early Marsh Orchid sub spp puchella - just past their best, but still a few 'good' ones
Heath Spotted Orchid - abundant throughout.
Also had a trip to Noar Hill but that site has been covered recently above.
Finally, although not an orchid good numbers of Wild Gladiolus also seen (30 flowering at one site and 9 at another).
Cheers
Grahame
According to Harraps "Late Spider orchid is not usually self-pollinating and its pollinia never dangle loose".
The attached photos, both taken at the same site on the same day, suggest otherwise.
Anyone got any views?
Rich M
Maybe the heavy rain just forced them out?
Also, are you sure your fragrant orchids aren't densiflora, especially if they're flowering so late with Marsh helleborine?
Mike.