Leicestershire Orchids: Marsh Fragrant Orchid and Heath Spotted Orchid 6th June 2009.

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Heath Spotted Orchid

Marsh Fragrant Orchid

Marsh Fragrant Orchid

Yesterday morning I met up with the Leicester wildlife group for a walk around Ulverscroft LRWT reserve.
Although it rained for most of the walk, I did see good numbers of Marsh Fragrant Orchids, Heath Spotted Orchids, Common Spotted Orchids and a single Bee Orchid(just flowering) at Herbert's Meadow.

Comments

Gareth said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
15 June 2009 at 17:02
Gareth said…
Hi Dave, accidently deleted the post above! Have you considered the possibility of Heath or Common Fragrant??
15 June 2009 at 17:14
davidearlgray said…
Hi Gareth, I was told by the reserve voluntary warden that the Fragrant Orchids were Marsh,due to the geology of the site.
Hope this helps?
Cheers,
Dave.
15 June 2009 at 19:50
Gareth said…
I think of Marsh Fragrant (densiflora) as an alkaline flush species which doesnt flower until July. The other two flower in June, Heath Fragrant (borealis) occurs in acid flushes often on heathland but not necessarily, and Common Fragrant (conopsea) is generally a dry chalk grassland species. You can look at the useful illustrations in this page and figure out morphologically which you think it looks like:

http://freespace.virgin.net/peter.wilde3/fragrantorchid.html

(I think that care needs to be taken with morphological features, they are variable and the definition of the three 'species' is not easy.)

Contrary to what the warden said I would guess perhaps the orchids are Heath Fragrant, if they are growing in damp acid grassland with Heath Spotted Orchid.

If they are indeed Marsh Fragrant, I will need to re-evaluate what I consider the definition of this species to be.

Cheers
17 June 2009 at 11:45
davidearlgray said…
Hi Gareth,interesting comment on the Fragrant Orchids. I didn't realise that Marsh Fragrant Orchid flowered so late.
I don't think these orchids are Common(G.conopsea)as the geology for this site is totally wrong. Also looking at my previous photos at this site maybe Heath and Marsh Fragrant Orchid both occur at this site?
Looks like I will have to do more research of these orchids!!
Dave.
17 June 2009 at 19:42
Gareth said…
The Fragrant orchids are a tricky bunch and Marsh is definitely my favourite of the three. Cheers for the blog, adds interest to the working day :-)
18 June 2009 at 17:04
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