Orchid

[mrs fish]

I am quite excited as I have found a new orchid in the meadow nearby

Would this be a Heath Spotted-Orchid ?

[RobSutton]

Looks more like a common spotted orchid - in heath spotted the middle lobe on the lower lip is very small, in common spotted it is much bigger (as in your photo).

[mrs fish]

I was going by the colour

Thanks Rob

[RobSutton]

I always find colours awkward in spotted orchids as they seem to vary so much.



This is a heath spotted orchid and the general colour seems to be white with a pink tinge rather than pink. You can also see the small middle lobe quite well in this photo. Heath spotted orchids are generally associated with more acidic habitats, I suspect your meadow was not really acidic enough for heath spotted.

[Bub-les]

I think its the common spotted orchid

[mrs fish]

Thanks

It was good finding it after only seeing southern marshes for the last couple of years.