Hello,
There seem to be a large number of orchids around this year... Can anyone tell me if the attached are both Common Spotted Orchids or different varieties? Foolishly I didn't photograph the leaves ...
attachment 1 - Taken at Priddy Mineries, Somerset 20/06/08, dull rainy day
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attachment 2 - Taken at Shapwick Heath Nature Reserve, Somerset 31/05/08, bright sunny day
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Thanks
It is, I think, very difficult to identify orchids from photos of their flowers. Many species are very variable in their colour and also they readily hybridise one with another so you do really need to see the leaves and know the soil type to be confident.
The first photo is I think too dark a colour to be Common Spotted Orchid and it is most likely to be either a Southern Marsh Orchid or possibly a Southern Marsh/Common Spotted hybrid, if it is the hybrid, the flower spike will be much taller then that of either of its parents. The flower of the orchid in the second photo is also a little on the dark side for a Common Spotted, but provided it has spotted leaves, that is, I think, what it's most likely to be.
Thanks for that Dogwood - was out last night on a guided walk round Priddy Mineries (courtesy of Somerset Wildlife Trust) and that confirms the first - we saw Southern Marsh Orchids, Common Spotted and the hybrids - the one in the first pic was definatley one of the hybrids. As to the 2nd pic at Shapwick have had a closer look at some of the out of focus leaves in the other pics and they don't seem to have black spots.
Still, I know to make sure I pay closer attention to the leaves next time! For info the soil type at Priddy Mineries is Heathland peat type, with some contamination from lead workings and smelting which was in operation at least from Roman times, Shapwick Heath is also very peaty but more wetland peat with water meadows.
Wow! That first one is beautiful, Zail. I've never seen one like that!
That purple Orchid is very nice Zail
The first is Common spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii) and the second is the hybrid D. fuchsii x D. praetermissa = D x grandis. Both species hybridise regulary.