Ian knows where the broad leaved helleborines (Epipactis helleborine) grow in our woods and has sent us pictures. In the reserve, our helleborines grow in deep shade, which makes them hard to find and difficult to photograph.

Orchids

So far we have identified five species of native orchids in the reserve. Two of them, the common spotted orchid and the broad leaved helleborine, are old friends, but bee orchids, pyramidal orchids and southern marsh orchids have appeared in recent years. These may be new arrivals, growing from seed with the help of mycorrhizal fungi, or dormant plants that have been waiting underground for many years for just the right conditions.
What are the right conditions for orchids? Here are five possible factors to take into consideration.

Pyramidal orchid

Beautiful pyramidal orchids (Anacamptis pyramidalis) from wildlife photographer Simon Knight.

It’s common spotted orchid time!

The award for the year’s first common spotted orchid picture goes to Pete White.

Common spotted orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii)

There is always competition to be the first to send in pictures of our common spotted orchids. This year the prize goes to Countryside Officer Ali Rasey.

Why has this been such a good year for orchids?

This year, we have identified five species of native orchids in the reserve. Two of them, the common spotted orchid and the broad leaved helleborine, are old friends, but bee orchids, pyramidal orchids and southern marsh orchids also appeared for the first time in the reserve’s fields.
What makes a good year for native orchids? Here are five possible factors to take into consideration.

All orchid flowers, even the glamourous and expensive tropical kinds, are built to the same three point plan.

Every year there is quiet competition among Friends and Followers to see who can send in the first picture of the reserve’s common spotted orchids. This year the winner is Gill Newbury: well done, Gill!

The year’s best common spotted orchid, photographed last week by Ian Bushell.

The first common spotted orchid of the year, photographed by Ian Bushell. Send in your own orchid photographs to friendsofscp@outlook.com and we will publish them all.

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More here:

The structure of orchids