Orchid Observers Talk
Thank you. If it's unreadable, we can always fish that specimen out and have a closer look.
A touch confusing for sure!
Thanks for that. I've passed this on.
James must've got the grid ref wrong if it's saying Sussex! He definitely photographed this in Norfolk.
Definitely Early Purple. Glossy flat spotted leaves in a woodland environment.
Could be. They do turn up in large plant pots but looks a bit dodgy!
Yes, this looks like one of the plants from the NHM wildlife garden...
Definitely a hybrid between one of the marsh orchids and spotted orchids.
This is an incredible photograph!!! Pollination in action.
Thank you for your observation. It has been noted.
Probably not. More likely that is the time it was remounted rather than the date of collection.
Pyramidal orchid I think.
Another couple of confusing photographs. In the lower one you can just make out lots of purple spikes. Probably Early Purple orchids.
These look like normal Heath Spotted orchids to me.
You could well be right.
If this wasn't on Orkney, I would've said definite Southern Marsh! The lip shape and markings look at a lot more like that species.
What an odd plant! All is normal except the pollinia which are pale green instead of dark brown.
Could be several species in there! That said, I think the photographer was trying to capture the pale orchids which are Heath Spotted.
I reckon this is just a big Heath Spotted.
Great to see this record from Buckinghamshire.
Is there an orchid in there?!
Yes there is something a bit weird about it but not enough to say hybrid in my opinion. Looks to be within the range for Southern Marsh.
A very difficult Dactylorhiza especially because of the large number of Dactylorhiza taxa in Hebrides (this was taken in the South Ebudes).
All Common Spotted. First one is an albino.
Finally, the first Lesser Twayblade I've seen on here!
Looks like a hybrid. Markings and colour of a spotted orchid but with the shape and spike density of a marsh orchid.
This is a very good record for Breconshire. I can't think of many sites for Marsh Helleborine there.
Yes, excellent example of how to photograph a Butterfly orchid for a simple ID.
OK, this was taken in Oxfordshire. Our team visited Warburg BBOWT reserve and saw P. bifolia. I suspect this is from that trip.
Good to see a record coming in from Shropshire.
If you ever wondered where the specific name 'densiflora' comes from for the Marsh Fragrant orchid, then here's your example!
Not the best picture but easily identifiable as Common Spotted.
This photograph is fine for the project as the subject is easily identifiable and in flower.
The way the lateral sepals are deported looks like P. bifolia but I agree - not a good enough pic to tell.
Definitely a hybrid between one of the marsh orchids and the spotted orchids, probably D. x grandis but hard to say.
Hi Adrian. Your observation is noted. Fortunately most people have taken suitable photos!
A nice example of a rather pale Heath Spotted orchid. The large 'blousey' lip is quite distinctive.
Pretty sure it is. I've seen Marsh Helleborine in this condition quite a lot late on in the season.
Probably the hybrid between Common Spotted and Southern Marsh.
Yes, almost certainly D. x grandis.
Yes, looks a bit dense and heavily marked for straight Heath Spotted. I suspect Northern Marsh x Heath Spotted.
Agree with Rich - this is a Broad-leaved Helleborine which is not part of the project.
Pollinia just visible at the top right of the spike - Lesser Butterfly orchid.
Definitely either Marsh or Heath - hard to say!
Yes, Greater Butterfly orchid.
Yes, this looks like a hybrid. Between which species is hard to say.
White Helleborines that have finished flowering.
That's a seriously impressive Northern Marsh orchid!
Based on the habitat, lack of leaf spotting and purplish buds - I would say this is a Southern Marsh orchid.
Not the best picture but looks like a Southern Marsh orchid.
A lovely example of a classic Northern Marsh orchid with dark purple loops and streaks on a diamond shaped lip and a flat-topped spike.
A difficult plant indeed! Looks like Early Marsh orchid but without reflexed side lobes. That said, it could just be freshly opened.
Well within the variation limits of Heath Spotted orchid. A hybrid with Northern Marsh would be a deeper coloured plant.
Looks pretty Northern Marsh orchidy to me, especially considering it's location, the dark pigmentation and diamond-shaped lip.
Classic Heath Fragrant orchid with the weakly divided lip.
Lovely shots of a much under recorded a species in this project!
That's a stunner Roger!
Is this the new 'var. cambrensis' from Glamorganshire?
Yes, this is a normal Frog orchid.
Very nice picture but not very useful for the project as it contains two species.
Looks like a Gymnadenia (Fragrant orchid) and judging by the surrounding rushes and sedges, almost certainly Marsh Fragrant.
Looks to be well within the variation limits of Common Spotted orchid from this picture.
And those blobs look quite like Heath Spotted orchids!
It's Chalk Fragrant. I took this picture on limestone downland in Gloucestershire.
Hard to tell whether this is a dense flowered Common Spotted or a Common Spotted orchid with a few Northern Marsh genes thrown in.
Odd looking plant but still within the range of variation for Heath Spotted orchid.
I think this is a Marsh Helleborine Rich. The flowers/buds/ovaries have fallen off leaving the bracts. You can see the leaves near the base.
Lovely plant. I think you can just about make out some faint purple streaks on the inner hypochile which would make this var. ochroleuca.
An absolutely perfect example of Heath Fragrant orchid with a weakly lobed lip and broad lateral sepals.
Looks to be well within the variation limits for Heath Spotted.
Greater Butterfly orchid.
A very nice example of the duneland subspecies of the Early Marsh orchid - subsp. coccinea with deep crimson colouring.
A nice example of a White Helleborine that has finished flowering.
Most probably a hybrid. Based on the location, I would suggest one of the parents is Northern Marsh.
Looks like a hybrid. Northern Marsh is almost one of the parents with either Common Spotted or Heath Spotted the other.
Yes, Common Spotted.
Not a true albiflora Kath - there is some light pink pigmentation to the flowers, particularly the buds at the top of the spike.
Hybrid is still a possibility even if one of the parents in absent from the immediate vicinity. 1.5 miles isn't that far.
Yes, definitely an Epipactis species but certainly not Marsh helleborine which is the only species of that genus in the study.
Agree with the below comment - most likely D. x grandis but difficult to confirm without closer pictures.
Almost certainly a hybrid.
Yes indeed! In a meadow near Corsham, North Wilts.
You can make out the out of focus pollinia which look like Greater Butterfly to me.
Heath Spotted - large blousey lip with rounded side lobes.
Could be either Northern Marsh or Pugsley's. Near impossible to tell without seeing the whole plant and habitat.
Thanks Rich. I thought it might be Fred's from his recent trip out to the Cheddar Gorge area. Very broad lip though you must admit!
Based on the very broad lip and tall surrounding vegetation, I would suggest this is Marsh Fragrant orchid.
A lovely pair of Early Marsh ochids subsp. pulchella. I'm guessing Roger found these on the New Forest bogs.
The reed in the background of the last photo suggest a damp habitat. The tall dense flower spike also suggest these are Marsh Fragrant.
This is Early Marsh orchid var. ochrantha - the name for the white form of that species.
Almost certainly a Dactylorhiza hybrid but, as always, difficult to ID without seeing the wider population and habitat.
Hard to tell but the robustness and spotted leaves suggest a hybrid.
Most likely D. x grandis - the hybrid between Common Spotted and Southern Marsh orchid.
The rank grasses suggest a neutral soil and therefore they're more likely to be fuchsii. The labellums are also deeply 3-lobed and pointed.
Yes, not quite sure what's happened there.
Very much so! Middle and left appear to be multi-leaved mutants. Far right doesn't look like an orchid at all.
Most likely to be D. x grandis - the hybrid between Common Spotted and Southern Marsh.
Good job I put it through as Southern Marsh then!
Ooh Roger, what an eye-wateringly beautiful shot!
The spike is dense like Marsh Fragrant but it is far too early for that species so this is almost certainly Common Fragrant.
This looks to me to be within the variable limits of Heath Spotted orchid but without seeing the plant in the flesh, it's hard to tell.
What do you think it is Rich?
Very robust looking plant!
This is most likely a non-flowering plant.
A lovely example of the 'pulchella' subspecies of the Early Marsh Orchid. This subspecies is restricted to acid bogs and is always purple.
Thanks Kath 😉
A full on swarm of flies!
Not sure why the vice county has come as 'null' for this one. I took this photo at this species' only Gloucestershire station.
Unusually long and wide upper petals on this plant.
There's only one site for this species in Warwickshire. Not on our list but good to see it's still doing well there.
I agree. I suspect it's a back-cross hybrid between Southern Marsh and Common Spotted.
Definitely an Early Purple orchid - the lateral sepals are spaced apart and you can just see a spotted leaf on the left.
This is a particularly pale Early Purple orchid.
It is indeed! This plant shows all the characteristics of a Southern Marsh - unspotted leaves and a 3-lobed lip with fine spots.
Almost certainly a Lizard orchid. I've just had a look at the data and this photo was taken at Sandwich in Kent.
The lobes are quite wide....
Likely to be Greater based on the surrounding flora suggesting calcareous woodland - a typical habitat of that species in Nottinghamshire.
The arching spike is unlike N. nidus-avis and far more typical of Monotropa. However, it looks like the former in every other respect.
Absolute monster!
I'm not even sure this even a plant! Looks like a small sweet wrapper....
Hadn't realised this was taken in Nottinghamshire! Definitely not going to be Lady orchid. Most probably Greater Butterfly
Probably Butterfly though it has a feel of Lady orchid with the smaller leaf clasped by the larger. The twist in the leaf is also lady-like.
Yes, green winged! One of my photos from a week ago near Lulworth Cove. The lines on the lateral sepals are diagnostic.
Hi Early purple orchid is very variable in colour and often pink like this. Note the spots on the sheathing leaves in the top pic.
Thank you. If it's unreadable, we can always fish that specimen out and have a closer look.
A touch confusing for sure!
Thanks for that. I've passed this on.
James must've got the grid ref wrong if it's saying Sussex! He definitely photographed this in Norfolk.
Definitely Early Purple. Glossy flat spotted leaves in a woodland environment.
Could be. They do turn up in large plant pots but looks a bit dodgy!
Yes, this looks like one of the plants from the NHM wildlife garden...
Definitely a hybrid between one of the marsh orchids and spotted orchids.
This is an incredible photograph!!! Pollination in action.
Thank you for your observation. It has been noted.
Probably not. More likely that is the time it was remounted rather than the date of collection.
Pyramidal orchid I think.
Another couple of confusing photographs. In the lower one you can just make out lots of purple spikes. Probably Early Purple orchids.
These look like normal Heath Spotted orchids to me.
You could well be right.
If this wasn't on Orkney, I would've said definite Southern Marsh! The lip shape and markings look at a lot more like that species.
What an odd plant! All is normal except the pollinia which are pale green instead of dark brown.
Could be several species in there! That said, I think the photographer was trying to capture the pale orchids which are Heath Spotted.
I reckon this is just a big Heath Spotted.
Great to see this record from Buckinghamshire.
Is there an orchid in there?!
Yes there is something a bit weird about it but not enough to say hybrid in my opinion. Looks to be within the range for Southern Marsh.
A very difficult Dactylorhiza especially because of the large number of Dactylorhiza taxa in Hebrides (this was taken in the South Ebudes).
All Common Spotted. First one is an albino.
Finally, the first Lesser Twayblade I've seen on here!
Looks like a hybrid. Markings and colour of a spotted orchid but with the shape and spike density of a marsh orchid.
This is a very good record for Breconshire. I can't think of many sites for Marsh Helleborine there.
Yes, excellent example of how to photograph a Butterfly orchid for a simple ID.
OK, this was taken in Oxfordshire. Our team visited Warburg BBOWT reserve and saw P. bifolia. I suspect this is from that trip.
Good to see a record coming in from Shropshire.
If you ever wondered where the specific name 'densiflora' comes from for the Marsh Fragrant orchid, then here's your example!
Not the best picture but easily identifiable as Common Spotted.
This photograph is fine for the project as the subject is easily identifiable and in flower.
The way the lateral sepals are deported looks like P. bifolia but I agree - not a good enough pic to tell.
Definitely a hybrid between one of the marsh orchids and the spotted orchids, probably D. x grandis but hard to say.
Hi Adrian. Your observation is noted. Fortunately most people have taken suitable photos!
A nice example of a rather pale Heath Spotted orchid. The large 'blousey' lip is quite distinctive.
Pretty sure it is. I've seen Marsh Helleborine in this condition quite a lot late on in the season.
Probably the hybrid between Common Spotted and Southern Marsh.
Yes, almost certainly D. x grandis.
Yes, looks a bit dense and heavily marked for straight Heath Spotted. I suspect Northern Marsh x Heath Spotted.
Agree with Rich - this is a Broad-leaved Helleborine which is not part of the project.
Pollinia just visible at the top right of the spike - Lesser Butterfly orchid.
Definitely either Marsh or Heath - hard to say!
Yes, Greater Butterfly orchid.
Yes, this looks like a hybrid. Between which species is hard to say.
White Helleborines that have finished flowering.
That's a seriously impressive Northern Marsh orchid!
Based on the habitat, lack of leaf spotting and purplish buds - I would say this is a Southern Marsh orchid.
Not the best picture but looks like a Southern Marsh orchid.
A lovely example of a classic Northern Marsh orchid with dark purple loops and streaks on a diamond shaped lip and a flat-topped spike.
A difficult plant indeed! Looks like Early Marsh orchid but without reflexed side lobes. That said, it could just be freshly opened.
Well within the variation limits of Heath Spotted orchid. A hybrid with Northern Marsh would be a deeper coloured plant.
Looks pretty Northern Marsh orchidy to me, especially considering it's location, the dark pigmentation and diamond-shaped lip.
Classic Heath Fragrant orchid with the weakly divided lip.
Lovely shots of a much under recorded a species in this project!
That's a stunner Roger!
Is this the new 'var. cambrensis' from Glamorganshire?
Yes, this is a normal Frog orchid.
Very nice picture but not very useful for the project as it contains two species.
Looks like a Gymnadenia (Fragrant orchid) and judging by the surrounding rushes and sedges, almost certainly Marsh Fragrant.
Looks to be well within the variation limits of Common Spotted orchid from this picture.
And those blobs look quite like Heath Spotted orchids!
It's Chalk Fragrant. I took this picture on limestone downland in Gloucestershire.
Hard to tell whether this is a dense flowered Common Spotted or a Common Spotted orchid with a few Northern Marsh genes thrown in.
Odd looking plant but still within the range of variation for Heath Spotted orchid.
I think this is a Marsh Helleborine Rich. The flowers/buds/ovaries have fallen off leaving the bracts. You can see the leaves near the base.
Lovely plant. I think you can just about make out some faint purple streaks on the inner hypochile which would make this var. ochroleuca.
An absolutely perfect example of Heath Fragrant orchid with a weakly lobed lip and broad lateral sepals.
Looks to be well within the variation limits for Heath Spotted.
Greater Butterfly orchid.
A very nice example of the duneland subspecies of the Early Marsh orchid - subsp. coccinea with deep crimson colouring.
A nice example of a White Helleborine that has finished flowering.
Most probably a hybrid. Based on the location, I would suggest one of the parents is Northern Marsh.
Looks like a hybrid. Northern Marsh is almost one of the parents with either Common Spotted or Heath Spotted the other.
Yes, Common Spotted.
Not a true albiflora Kath - there is some light pink pigmentation to the flowers, particularly the buds at the top of the spike.
Hybrid is still a possibility even if one of the parents in absent from the immediate vicinity. 1.5 miles isn't that far.
Yes, definitely an Epipactis species but certainly not Marsh helleborine which is the only species of that genus in the study.
Agree with the below comment - most likely D. x grandis but difficult to confirm without closer pictures.
Almost certainly a hybrid.
Yes indeed! In a meadow near Corsham, North Wilts.
You can make out the out of focus pollinia which look like Greater Butterfly to me.
Heath Spotted - large blousey lip with rounded side lobes.
Could be either Northern Marsh or Pugsley's. Near impossible to tell without seeing the whole plant and habitat.
Thanks Rich. I thought it might be Fred's from his recent trip out to the Cheddar Gorge area. Very broad lip though you must admit!
Based on the very broad lip and tall surrounding vegetation, I would suggest this is Marsh Fragrant orchid.
A lovely pair of Early Marsh ochids subsp. pulchella. I'm guessing Roger found these on the New Forest bogs.
The reed in the background of the last photo suggest a damp habitat. The tall dense flower spike also suggest these are Marsh Fragrant.
This is Early Marsh orchid var. ochrantha - the name for the white form of that species.
Almost certainly a Dactylorhiza hybrid but, as always, difficult to ID without seeing the wider population and habitat.
Hard to tell but the robustness and spotted leaves suggest a hybrid.
Most likely D. x grandis - the hybrid between Common Spotted and Southern Marsh orchid.
The rank grasses suggest a neutral soil and therefore they're more likely to be fuchsii. The labellums are also deeply 3-lobed and pointed.
Yes, not quite sure what's happened there.
Very much so! Middle and left appear to be multi-leaved mutants. Far right doesn't look like an orchid at all.
Most likely to be D. x grandis - the hybrid between Common Spotted and Southern Marsh.
Good job I put it through as Southern Marsh then!
Ooh Roger, what an eye-wateringly beautiful shot!
The spike is dense like Marsh Fragrant but it is far too early for that species so this is almost certainly Common Fragrant.
This looks to me to be within the variable limits of Heath Spotted orchid but without seeing the plant in the flesh, it's hard to tell.
What do you think it is Rich?
Very robust looking plant!
This is most likely a non-flowering plant.
A lovely example of the 'pulchella' subspecies of the Early Marsh Orchid. This subspecies is restricted to acid bogs and is always purple.
Thanks Kath 😉
A full on swarm of flies!
Not sure why the vice county has come as 'null' for this one. I took this photo at this species' only Gloucestershire station.
Unusually long and wide upper petals on this plant.
There's only one site for this species in Warwickshire. Not on our list but good to see it's still doing well there.
I agree. I suspect it's a back-cross hybrid between Southern Marsh and Common Spotted.
Definitely an Early Purple orchid - the lateral sepals are spaced apart and you can just see a spotted leaf on the left.
This is a particularly pale Early Purple orchid.
It is indeed! This plant shows all the characteristics of a Southern Marsh - unspotted leaves and a 3-lobed lip with fine spots.
Almost certainly a Lizard orchid. I've just had a look at the data and this photo was taken at Sandwich in Kent.
The lobes are quite wide....
Likely to be Greater based on the surrounding flora suggesting calcareous woodland - a typical habitat of that species in Nottinghamshire.
The arching spike is unlike N. nidus-avis and far more typical of Monotropa. However, it looks like the former in every other respect.
Absolute monster!
I'm not even sure this even a plant! Looks like a small sweet wrapper....
Hadn't realised this was taken in Nottinghamshire! Definitely not going to be Lady orchid. Most probably Greater Butterfly
Probably Butterfly though it has a feel of Lady orchid with the smaller leaf clasped by the larger. The twist in the leaf is also lady-like.
Yes, green winged! One of my photos from a week ago near Lulworth Cove. The lines on the lateral sepals are diagnostic.
Hi
Early purple orchid is very variable in colour and often pink like this. Note the spots on the sheathing leaves in the top pic.