Unknown Orchid

[Duke of York]

We spotted this orchid in Little Stones near where we live.





These are actually the third type of orchids we have spotted so far this year after 'Early Spotted' and 'Bee' but these are proving the most difficult to identify.

We at first thought 'Common Spotted' but the leaf patterns do not look the same (although I am waiting for someone to tell me this is possible )

We then wondered about 'Heath Spotted' but again the leaf pattern again doesn't look right.

Can anybody give us any clues?

DoY

[wildlifesnapper]

Hi

they look very much like common spotted.

neil

[AlanS]

Originally Posted by wildlifesnapper

Hi

they look very much like common spotted.

neil

Yes, I agree. Those flowers are diagnostic.

Alan

[Duke of York]

Originally Posted by AlanS

Yes, I agree. Those flowers are diagnostic.

Alan

Thanks Neil and Alan for your comments.

Alan, can I be a bit thick and ask what you mean by diagnostic in regard to flowers

[AlanS]

Originally Posted by Duke of York

Thanks Neil and Alan for your comments.

Alan, can I be a bit thick and ask what you mean by diagnostic in regard to flowers

I was referring to the three-pronged shape of the lower lip. Difficult to fully put into words, but the flower-shape shown in your photographs is absolutely typical of "good" fuchsii. Variation in patterning on the leaves is of much less importance.

Clive Stace's 'New Flora of the British Isles' gives a whole page of diagrams of variation in flower shape in the marsh orchids - very useful!
The naming is a bit out of date, but he is currently working on a new (3rd) edition of the book.

Alan

[Duke of York]

Thanks for the explanation Alan, I understand it now.

I did wonder whether the pattern was critical and obviously it's not but the flower shape is

[Pete Collins]

Regarding your comment "We at first thought 'Common Spotted' but the leaf patterns do not look the same", I have read in a reference book that Common Spotted Orchids do sometimes lack the spots on their leaves, and this is especially true of those with white flowers. Perhaps that is the case here.

Pete