Is this an Orchid...if so what one?

[dbozkurt]

took this 30 minutes ago in a field at Aird, Benbecula, Outer Hebrides in fairly wet under foot conditions where sheep roam.

It looks like an Orchid was about 2 inches and was the only one as far as I could see in any direction.

Looked like a Common Spotted Orchid, then the book said maybe Heath Spotted Orchid and I found somewhere else that could something similar a Hebridean Orchid.

Help would be appreciated.

Thanks Debs

[wildlifesnapper]

Hi Debs,

I think it is a Northern Marsh Orchid, with the "flat" top and diamond shaped labellum with curled in edges.Common spotted and Hebridean orchids are distinctly 3 lobed.

neil

[AlanS]

Debs,

it would be interesting to have seen the leaves of this. Do you have another photograph?

I agree with Neil that it is a Northern Marsh Orchid, but it is paler than the usual version and I think it might be a variant that occurs in a few scattered sites up the west coast, including the Outer Hebrides, also at at least one site on the north coast and in Denmark. The most recent name for this variant is Dactylorhiza purpurella var. cambrensis.

Apart from the paler colour and slightly different markings on the lower lip of the flower, this variety has spotted leaves, while the most common variety of purpurella does not. Note that without seeing the leaves I am not giving this as a definite ID of cambrensis.

Classification and names of the marsh orchids changes constantly, with strong disagreements between different researchers, but recent DNA work has moved us towards what might be a more stable understanding. Maybe.

Alan

[dbozkurt]

Originally Posted by AlanS

Debs,

it would be interesting to have seen the leaves of this. Do you have another photograph?

I agree with Neil that it is a Northern Marsh Orchid, but it is paler than the usual version and I think it might be a variant that occurs in a few scattered sites up the west coast, including the Outer Hebrides, also at at least one site on the north coast and in Denmark. The most recent name for this variant is Dactylorhiza purpurella var. cambrensis.

Apart from the paler colour and slightly different markings on the lower lip of the flower, this variety has spotted leaves, while the most common variety of purpurella does not.

Classification and names of the marsh orchids changes constantly, with strong disagreements between different researchers, but recent DNA work has moved us towards what might be a more stable understanding. Maybe.

Alan

Alan

I am attaching these two but not sure if they will help. The flower did seem bluer with the naked eye, it was taken about 9.00pm the sun had still an 1hr and 1/2 before setting but maybe the intensity of the lower sun lighten the picture. I had to hold up with one hand and take with the other. If these are no help I will ask my other half to go back with me tomorrow to help, its only 10 mins walk from our house. I will post again tomorrow if I get better picture and the sheep havn't trodden on it!




Thanks for all your help

Debs

[AlanS]

Originally Posted by dbozkurt

Alan

I am attaching these two but not sure if they will help. The flower did seem bluer with the naked eye, it was taken about 9.00pm the sun had still an 1hr and 1/2 before setting but maybe the intensity of the lower sun lighten the picture. I had to hold up with one hand and take with the other. If these are no help I will ask my other half to go back with me tomorrow to help, its only 10 mins walk from our house. I will post again tomorrow if I get better picture and the sheep havn't trodden on it!

.
.

Thanks for all your help

Debs

Hi again Debs.

Your lower photograph has a visible leaf and it is unspotted!

Oh well, it is NOT the var. cambrensis. Sigh.

It is 'ordinary' D. purpurella, but with flowers paler than we usually see in mainland Scotland. Still, I should not be surprised - I spent several days in the Uists last year and was constantly surprised by the slightly different colours shown by the Hebridean versions of the marsh orchids on the machairs.

Alan