Last summer I checked on the local Dactylorhiza incarnata ‘gemanna’ (pics 1&2 2020).. now it is being pretty standard incarnata incarnata (pics 3&4), giving weight to the theory it’s just a well grown version of the nominate form of Early Marsh Orchid #OrchidChallenge #wildflowerhour
Fly Orchid Ophrys insectifera at its largest Suffolk location last summer #OrchidChallenge #WildflowerHour
Lax-flowered Orchid Anacamptis laxiflora in the Channel Islands last summer, including a few colour forms #orchidchallenge #wildflowerhour
In summer 2024 Norfolk’s first ever Military Orchid Orchis militaris popped up. Of somewhat suspicious origin and soon felled by herbivore unknown. No sign of it in 2025. Spectacular while it was here though! #orchidchallenge #wildflowerhour
A revisit to the Suffolk Military Orchid location.. now in peak flower #orchidchallenge #wildflowerhour
Again a week late for #OrchidChallenge but couldn't resist posting the results of this year's #Orchid count in my wildflower meadow.
The highest ever count today with 316 Northern Marsh and one presumed Common Spotted Orchid
#Wildflowerhour
It's a shame it's not #orchidchallenge this week.
Very excited to see my first ever Fly Orchid at Cors Bodeilio #Anglesey
Here it is with a collection of other Orchids in the fens plus a gorgeous Marsh Helleborine
#Wildflowerhour
White and green flowers with white “wings” to the side, a pale green hood and a long pale green lower lip. About 15 flowers held on a long stem surrounded by a wildflower meadow.
Ok, I know it’s not Sunday now but here is my new entry for the #wildflowerhour #orchidchallenge (sorry they are my addiction). Greater butterfly orchid looking perfect - one amongst quite a good number at Cobbett’s View in the Ashdown Hanger Nature Reserve, Hants. Lots of common spotted too. #bsbi
Nice to see a few White Helleborine in Gloucestershire today. @bsbibotany.bsky.social @floraconuk.bsky.social @ukorchids.bsky.social @naturalengland.bsky.social #orchidchallenge
1 ventured into Gloucestershire today. Most of the Bird’s-nest Orchids were already starting to go over, probably due to dry conditions. Nice to see over a hundred plants, though. @bsbibotany.bsky.social @ukorchids.bsky.social @naturalengland.bsky.social @floraconuk.bsky.social #orchidchallenge
On my way back from Kent, I decided to chance it and see if the Military Orchids were still in flower. Whilst some had gone over, a few were in good condition 😍 @bsbibotany.bsky.social @floraconuk.bsky.social @bbowt.bsky.social #orchidchallenge
Very grateful to see Man Orchids & Late Spider Orchids finally! Kent in sunny weather yesterday. Thanks to those who helped 🙏👍🏼
@bsbibotany.bsky.social @floraconuk.bsky.social @ukorchids.bsky.social #orchidchallenge @kentwildlife.bsky.social
Ophrys apifera. North Walney NNR
Ophrys apifera. North Walney NNR
Great day out with the Flora of Cumbria Recording Group at North Walney NNR yesterday. My group of 3 finished on 161 species from our monad, consisting of saltmarsh, dune, coastal heath & meadow habitats. Just a day too late for the #WildflowerHour #OrchidChallenge with this stunning Bee Orchid.
The pale pink flower head of a common spotted orchid
Two bee orchid flowers at the bottom of a stem that promises to hold several more bees within the next few days of blooming
A little late for yesterday’s #WildflowerHour #OrchidChallenge but the common spotted orchids are out in force @york.ac.uk campus west, and the bee orchids are just beginning to show their faces - full glory next week, I reckon.
Amongst all the wonderful wildlife recorded during our bioblitz at Kilnsey Park Estate over the weekend, we were lucky enough to see the stunning Lady's Slipper Orchid in flower on Kilnsey Flushes. What a beauty! #wildflowerhour #OrchidChallenge
Just discovered #OrchidChallenge so thought I’d share again the welcome intryders that have self-seeded amongst other plants in a tub in my Devon garden. (The spotted leaves are Zantedeschia.)
#wildflowerhour #orchids
#wildflowerhour Hadn't realised it was #OrchidChallenge this week, but wildly excited to have seen Northern Marsh Orchid, growing in a front lawn in Newcastle. Only survived because the people were on holiday, or they'd have been mowed. Photo shows one, but colour came out pink not purple, sadly.
Photo taken on my phone of a Bee Orchid growing in my No Mow May lawn.
Photo taken on my phone of a Bee Orchid growing in my No Mow May lawn.
Photo taken on my phone of a Bee Orchid growing in my No Mow May lawn.
The #BeeOrchids in my lawn emerged late this year and not as robust as previous years, maybe due to lack of rain. First leaves to emerge were blackened and I feared the plants had died. But now fresh leaves and stems - 6 spotted so far.
#OrchidChallenge
Reposted to tag…
#WildflowerHour
#OrchidChallenge
Not sure that walking out of my front door to photograph the #BeeOrchids in my front lawn constitutes a ‘challenge’, but these plants are the reason I do #NoMowMay every year
#Biodiversity on my doorstep
A bit late to the #Wildflowerhour #OrchidChallenge party, but here are some photos of what I think is Dactylorhiza purpurella popping up in East Kilbride this week
Bum! I didn't realise it was #OrchidChallenge for tonight's #WildflowerHour 🤦♂️
I'd have stopped for that Common Spotted just emerging if I had.
You'll have to make do with Northern Marsh and Lizard instead
More for #orchidchallenge #wildflowerhour White Helleborine, Fly & Pyramidal Orchids. Kent. @bsbibotany.bsky.social @plantlifeuk.bsky.social @kentwildlife.bsky.social @ukorchids.bsky.social
Oops, I completely forgot the time but still wanted to post these beautiful common spotted orchids (and ragged robin) for #orchidchallenge. Two of many, many orchids emerging @wildlifebcn.org Brampton Wood this week. @wildflowerhour.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social
My final offering today is of some Southern Marsh Orchids. I stopped counting at 50 spikes by the A39 at Devoran Cornwall, today.
#wildflowerhour #OrchidChallenge
Dactylorhiza praetermissa
I probably saw several hundred Heath Spotted Orchids today dotted all over the Lizard heathlands, a lovely sight, the 1st photo has a bonus Flea Sedge (Carex pulicaris).
#wildflowerhour #OrchidChallenge
Dactylorhiza maculata subsp ericetorum
Early Marsh Orchids on The Lizard heathlands today looking splendid.
#wildflowerhour #OrchidChallenge
Dactylorhiza incarnata subsp pulchella
The spring drought of 2025 has affected Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera) very badly in Central Southern England. However, you can still find this iconic orchid in flower in all its glory right now @wildflowerhour.bsky.social #orchidchallenge @bsbibotany.bsky.social
The hybrid between Heath Spotted and Southern Marsh orchids by a roundabout on the A39 today near Devoran today. Around 5 times taller than nearby Southern Marsh.
#wildflowerhour #OrchidChallenge
D. x hallii
There were a few small Heath Fragrant Orchids out on the Lizard heathlands today.
#wildflowerhour #OrchidChallenge
Gymnadenia borealis
