Another Orchid ID

[rscott74]

The helpers on the forum may get a bit tired of orchid ID requests. When I've asked they tend to turn out as hybrids and I just get more confused. The images are away from the area I have taken images in the past. Can this be IDed please?

[leifus]

definately a hybrid because the leaves are unmarked but id say it was a common spotted orchid

[rscott74]

Thanks leifus. I don't know if you are an expert on orchids but can you tell me why so many in my area are hybrids - is it normal? Is it OK to file this one, perhaps for future refence be me, as Common Spotted?

[leifus]

yeah id file it because the flower looks completely common spotted. Its just the leaves would normally have dark spots which give it its name. I'm no expert on orchids but i do know that they hybridise a lot and i find it very annoying when they do!! I'm not sure why they do it so much more than other flowers but I'll leave that to someone else to answer...
I think i found an old fly orchid today so i cant wait for next may/june when i can go to photograph the new plant - hopefully it won't hybridise with the bee orchids!!!

[ChrisJB]

I would probably put this down as common spotted/northern marsh hybrid. But beware, pure common spotted doesn't always have spots on the leaves.

Regards, Chris

[jhewitt15]

common spotted.

[rscott74]

Thanks for further info. All I ever appear to see are ones that are pink or purple that might or might not have markings on leaves. Maybe I'll perservere although it seems that most are dying off now. Still there's always next year -when we'll be a little older and wiser and possibly finding pastures new.

In any case there's still plenty of other plants around to confuse me!

[ceterach]

Hi

I think the term is frustrated rather than tired

Your flower is classic Common Spotted Orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii but the clump of plants has a whiff of something more substantial such as one of the Marsh Orchids, are they the same? Leaf spotting in D.fuchsii is very variable.

The problem is that not only do Dactylorhiza hybridize but some of the species are very variable even when growing in the absence of other species.

Leifus, good luck with your hunt, Fly and Bee Orchids are known to hybridize but rarely, the product is rather beautiful.

All the best

[JennyS]

definately a hybrid because the leaves are unmarked but id say it was a common spotted orchid

As ceterach and chris have said un-marked leaves can often occur with the Spotted Orchids........
Dactylorhiza are head-bangingly variable and a lot of the time even the real experts don't seem to agree on whats a hybrid and whats just within the acceptable range of variation......

[rscott74]

Yes, the word is frustration! Which shared. it seems by many others. Orchids are attractive and make nice images, and they don't blow around in the wind.
I was a bit concerned earlier in the year that pony grazing may have knocked back the orchids near Hetton Bogs but they did come out in greater numbers than before. Whatever they may be they are eye catching standing proud and colourful in the meadows.

Thanks again for your interesting comments.