Help, is this an Albino Orchid ?

[Thistledo]

I saw this today, every other orchid in the area was blue, is this just an Albino of the blue one.



TIA Bob

[Dorts]

Yes it's an albino Common Spotted Orchid, Dactylorhiza fuchsii var, albiflora.
they do pop up occasionally.
Nice plant.
Dorts.

[Thistledo]

Thanks Dorts, it looked very out of place being the only white one, a little research suggested an Albino but am glad of the confirmation, thanks for your help.

Bob.

[JennyS]

You might be interested in this link to a study on white Dactylorhiza:
albiflora blog - Albiflora studies in Ireland

[Dorts]

Fascinating study, thanks for that.

Bateman &. Denholm are a couple of 'whizz kids' at this sort of thing.
Dactyl orchids, in an evolutionary sense are probably the most active group of plants on this planet. This is why they can be so frustratingly variable.
Heaven knows what we will end up with in a couple of thousand years time!
Dorts.