Thursday, July 12, 2012

Magnificent Marsh Orchids.... or spotted orchids .... or hybrids?



Well, actually I'm not sure what these are, exactly. They were part of a swarm of hybrids between marsh orchids and common spotted orchids, growing beside the pond on Durham University's Mountjoy site. Whatever their precise identity, they are magnificent specimens. I have noticed that whenever these hybrid swarms occur you always get a few very robust, very floriferous specimens, probably displaying hybrid vigour, alongside many more that are much weaker plants.... and, quite often, a few albinos like the one on the left.

6 comments:

  1. Great beautiful plants in such a very good photograph! Made my day! Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Roger, It made my day too when I found them. Thanks for visiting.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Difficult to say when they are so promiscuous but, no matter, they are still beautiful and the Bees still find them.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Interesting Phil
    On a recent visit to Wicken Fen, there was an area covered in orchids; all various colours. Someone there said they were all hybrids of Spotted Orchid.
    Maybe this weather agrees with these plants?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi toffeeapple, it's always a bit of a thrill to find orchids - even the common species

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Keith, the wet weather doesn't seem to have done their flowering much harm, does it - although pollinators must be in short supply....

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.