Hybrid Orchid??

[davidbr]

Could someone please offer some advice on this orchid, growing amongst lots of Common Spotted Orchids (Dactylorhiza fuchsii) on a south Somerset common (Ash Priors). Heath Spotted Orchid is also found in the vicinity.

I was thinking it could be Dactylorhiza x grandis, the hybrid between Common Spotted & Southern Marsh Orchids (though I didn't see any of the latter), but I can't find a decent photo of it

[KeenTeen17]

This is a common hybrid in my area and your specimen is indeed that

[the young hunter]

It could well be the hybrid between Common Spotted and Heath Spotted especially since both species were present as you mentioned.

Also, I see no features that would suggest Southern Marsh parentage, however, sometimes hybrids can turn up where only one parent appears to be present.

It does look rather robust so you are probably right with it being a hybrid. I would bet on CS x HS hybrid.


Mike

[KeenTeen17]

Originally Posted by the young hunter

It could well be the hybrid between Common Spotted and Heath Spotted especially since both species were present as you mentioned.

Also, I see no features that would suggest Southern Marsh parentage, however, sometimes hybrids can turn up where only one parent appears to be present.

It does look rather robust so you are probably right with it being a hybrid. I would bet on CS x HS hybrid.


Mike

IMHO it looks a bit too deep purple to be HS hybrid because they are both paler orchids whereas the Southern Marsh is. These hybrids are really confusing and cause a lot of aggro between botanists I know. I think the CS x SM is more common but theres every possibility its HS x CS also

[the young hunter]

Yh, I was thinking that but sometimes both CS and HS can be quite dark...

My least favourite orchid genus is dactylorhiza - very promiscuous and very samey

Mike