In message , mark
writes

"K" wrote in message
...
Stewart Robert Hinsley writes
In message , mark
writes
Found this whilst out for a stroll at the weekend. I wondered what it is?
Flower head about an inch in diameter.



http://i455.photobucket.com/albums/q...nts/flower.jpg



mark


Marsh or Spotted Orchid (Dactyorhiza sp.). I haven't yet developed the
knack of telling the various species apart. (Note, spotted applies to the
leaves, not the flowers.)

I'd have said Common spotted (Dactylorhyza fuchsii) from the very long
thin obvious central tooth of the lower lip and the general slightly
raggedy look of the flower spike. None of the other marsh orchids has a
central tooth which approaches the size of the two side lobes.. But like
Stewart I'm still learning.

--
Kay



Thank you.
I'm off to google.........

Back!
Yep, seems to be a Spotted orchid. As for the 'common' bit..hmmmphf! Not
that common because I don't recall seeing one before.

Once you've learned to recognise a plant it becomes often becomes
surprisingly common. I never knowingly saw native Dactylorhiza, except
for a colony in an NT garden, until last year, but I now know of over a
dozen localities. It seems to be commoner than other orchids; I haven't
seen any others growing wild.

--
Stewart Robert Hinsley