2014 UK Orchids (4 Viewers)

[LizandDave]

Do you think it is Marsh Fr. then? Certainly looks like one, but didn't like to commit!
Dave

 

[rogpow]

Do you think it is Marsh Fr. then? Certainly looks like one, but didn't like to commit!
Dave

I'd rather not commit either. I'll leave that to someone on the forum far more qualified than me!

Rog

 

[rmielcarek]

Do you think it is Marsh Fr. then? Certainly looks like one, but didn't like to commit!
Dave

Marsh Fragrants flower later than Chalk Fragrants.

There's a site on Mendip where plants looking like this grow, mixed in with normal Chalk Fragrant. There is a bog not far from there where identical plants grow.

I think they are all Chalk Fragrant, which can be somewhat variable in structure and location.

Rich M

 

[LizandDave]

I've looked back through my photos of the Fragrants that day and although there is variation in that the lower lobes may be almost fused, there were only this pair of plants with a triangular shape and central ridge in the lower petal.
As Rog says above they are found in similar locations close by to where this was found so it could be a Marsh Fragrant. I suppose I'll never know for sure.
Dave

 

[Gavin Mac]

I've looked back through my photos of the Fragrants that day and although there is variation in that the lower lobes may be almost fused, there were only this pair of plants with a triangular shape and central ridge in the lower petal.
As Rog says above they are found in similar locations close by to where this was found so it could be a Marsh Fragrant. I suppose I'll never know for sure.
Dave

Burnt Tips out in small numbers on the Wilts/Hants border plus Fragrants in bud. Lesser Butterfly look to be out in small numbers in the New Forest based on drive through check of road side site.

 

[lizard orchid]

I have deleted some of my inbox as some of you have been trying to get hold of me. I am going have to delete a few more by the looks.

Brian.

 

[Rothschildaz]

Hi folks,

Does anyone know of a good site for Bee Orchids in Worcestershire or Shropshire?

 

[MarkHows]

New Forest

Thanks for the PM from forum members I caught up with Lesser Butterfly yesterday but plenty of other nice stuff about as well.

Thanks

Mark

 

[MarkHows]

Going to Yorkshire soon any info on Lesser Twayblade appreciated by PM

Thanks

Mark

 

[Andy1979]

This was ID'd in the ID forum as Greater Butterfly Orchid. Picture taken two days ago in Hants (Country Park near Winchester). Could someone tell my why it is greater and what the difference is between this and Lesser?

Thanks,

Andy M.

 

[Ghostly Vision]

Hi folks,

Does anyone know of a good site for Bee Orchids in Worcestershire or Shropshire?

Hello

Send me a pm

Sean

 

[Ghostly Vision]

This was ID'd in the ID forum as Greater Butterfly Orchid. Picture taken two days ago in Hants (Country Park near Winchester). Could someone tell my why it is greater and what the difference is between this and Lesser?

Thanks,

Andy M.

The pollinia are spread wide in an arc - on the inside of the hood.

On LBO they are together vertically in the middle

Sean

 

[Andy1979]

Thanks Sean. I haven't got to grips with the language in my Collins flower guide yet!

 

[tonyfenn]

Found two bee orchids at work on saturday while cutting the grass at the old peoples home. Don't know how they got there as the grass is cut pretty often.Only the second ones i've seen, good job i know what they were

 

[slatts]

Hi,
Can anyone please help with finding a Burnt Orchid or 2 in Sussex? Looking to go to Mount Caburn NNR tomorrow but it's a big place! If I walk up the public footpath from Glynde to the top will I find any?
Thanks
Dave

You'll find them at caburn bottom, but it'll be next year now as they are the early variety. They used to be in good flower around 20th may but I bet they were a good bit earlier this year.

 

[slatts]

Hi folks,

Does anyone know of a good site for Bee Orchids in Worcestershire or Shropshire?

Warks any good to you?

 

[Matt Eade]

The pale form of Bee Orchid now just in flower around Beachy Head. This weekend I assume will be ideal.

 

[LizandDave]

Thanks Slatts.
Dave

 

[Harrap's Wild Flowers]

Fragrant Orchid

Visited Mount Caburn in East Sussex yesterday, a heck of a climb! I was rewarded with the sight of around 1000 Chalk Fragrant Orchids on the slopes. As is often the case with orchids, I found a few that didn't quite fit Chalk Fragrant.
This one in particular looks like a Marsh Fragrant as described in Harrap's Wildflower book. However, several 100m above sea level on a chalk slope that's unlikely. The photo shows 2 plants growing together both with odd lower petals and a close up on the flowers. It had a lovely scent.
Can anyone say for sure if it is just another Chalk Fragrant or is it a variant/hybrid? A very few Common Spotted were on the slopes as well.

Dave

Fragrant orchids are a bit tricky - especially when in atypical habitats, but this looks like a slightly aberrant Chalk Fragrant Orchid, with the lip more or less unlobed - I can see no reason to think it is Marsh Fragrant, as the habitat is very unusual, the flowering time wrong, and the lip of the flower not at all like Marsh Fragrant. The Harrap orchid book states: '...the lip is broader than long, prominently lobed (with the side lobes larger than the central lobe) and has distinct 'shoulders'. The 'wings' (lateral sepals) are long and narrow with parallel sides and a blunt tip and are held roughly horizontal.' I have posted a picture of Marsh Fragrant to illustrate.

Simon

 

[Rothschildaz]

Bee Orchids

Warks any good to you?

I know of a few sites in Warks, Fenny Compton, Ettington and Bishops Hill? But if you know of any nearer to Kidderminster it may be worth me stopping by.

Any details would be a great help then when I'm about I can remember to stop off.

Many thanks, Pete