Stockbridge Orchids: I am no expert,but if nobody else has answered,here`s my opinion. The dark one is a Spotted and the lighter one could be a Spotted hybrid.
They are both Common Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii). Some do not have spotted leaves & the colour of the flowers varies widely. More often than not, the flowers are like the darker one shown, but paler flowers are quite common & some are almost white. This, I'm afraid, is the only locally widespread orchid. It will readily hybridise with the marsh orchids, mainly Northen Marsh Orchid (D. purpurella)in our area. Although you would think that hybrids would mean both parent species have to be present, apparently that is not always the case. Try Otley GP (especially the island at the back of reed bed) in June for some stunning displays of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of both Common Spotted & Northen Marsh Orchids plus hybrids. I've seen Southern Marsh Orchid (D. praetermissa) there too in the past.
2 comments:
Stockbridge Orchids:
I am no expert,but if nobody else has answered,here`s my opinion.
The dark one is a Spotted and the lighter one could be a Spotted hybrid.
They are both Common Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii). Some do not have spotted leaves & the colour of the flowers varies widely. More often than not, the flowers are like the darker one shown, but paler flowers are quite common & some are almost white. This, I'm afraid, is the only locally widespread orchid. It will readily hybridise with the marsh orchids, mainly Northen Marsh Orchid (D. purpurella)in our area. Although you would think that hybrids would mean both parent species have to be present, apparently that is not always the case. Try Otley GP (especially the island at the back of reed bed) in June for some stunning displays of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of both Common Spotted & Northen Marsh Orchids plus hybrids. I've seen Southern Marsh Orchid (D. praetermissa) there too in the past.
Post a Comment