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.
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6 comments:

  1. Roger LatourJuly 12, 2012 at 8:45 PM

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

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  2. PhilJuly 12, 2012 at 9:57 PM

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

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  3. AnonymousJuly 12, 2012 at 11:15 PM

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

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  4. holdingmomentsJuly 13, 2012 at 4:39 AM

    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?

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  5. PhilJuly 13, 2012 at 8:40 PM

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

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  6. PhilJuly 13, 2012 at 8:41 PM

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

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