Marsh O ID

[Gypsy Orchid]

Is this a Marsh Orchid or just a large Spotted
Thanks Sylv

[RobSutton]

.... or, as it's such a large vigorous specimen, a hybrid?

[KeenTeen17]

Originally Posted by RobSutton

.... or, as it's such a large vigorous specimen, a hybrid?

Southern Marsh x Common Spotted Orchid

[the young hunter]

I reckon this could infact be Northern Marsh x Common Spotted hybrid (D. 'venusta') judging by that more reddish colouration and cylindrical infloresence.

Mike

[JennyS]

What other species of orchid were in the vicinity as that would give ID pointers?

[kiwi]

Have you got a closeup of the flowers?

[treecreeper]

Originally Posted by the young hunter

I reckon this could infact be Northern Marsh x Common Spotted hybrid (D. 'venusta') judging by that more reddish colouration and cylindrical infloresence.

Mike

I'm not sure you can read much into flower colouration when it comes to Northern and Southern Marsh orchids. Southern Marsh orchids are normally relatively lightly coloured but specimens growing around Talacre in North wales are often deep purple-magenta. I've tried photographing them but my toy camera is not capable of capturing the colour. I suspect the orchid here is Southern x Common as KT suggests. It has the stoutness of the Southern.

[Gypsy Orchid]

Thanks everyone for help I think it must be Spotted X southern mash I live in Devon and Northern Marsh does not grow here.
Thank again Sylv.