Another Orchid for id please

[david156]

Could someone name this one for me. Seen in Norfolk.



Cheers David

[Dorts]

David, judging by the size of the flower-spike, we have to say it's a Common Spotted Orchid - Dactylorhiza fuchsii.
The lip shape and markings do show some similarities with Heath Spotted but the overall plant is typical of Common Spotted. This species can be quite variable.
Dorts.

[david156]

Originally Posted by Dorts

David, judging by the size of the flower-spike, we have to say it's a Common Spotted Orchid - Dactylorhiza fuchsii.
The lip shape and markings do show some similarities with Heath Spotted but the overall plant is typical of Common Spotted. This species can be quite variable.
Dorts.

Thank you again Dorts.

David

[the young hunter]

Originally Posted by Dorts

David, judging by the size of the flower-spike, we have to say it's a Common Spotted Orchid - Dactylorhiza fuchsii.
The lip shape and markings do show some similarities with Heath Spotted but the overall plant is typical of Common Spotted. This species can be quite variable.
Dorts.

I see your point but personally I feel it's much more on the Heath Spotted side. Large wide lip with scattered dashes and general pinkish/lilac wash.

What habitat was the plant occupying?

Mike.

[Dorts]

Originally Posted by the young hunter

I see your point but personally I feel it's much more on the Heath Spotted side. Large wide lip with scattered dashes and general pinkish/lilac wash.
What habitat was the plant occupying?
Mike.

I can see your point Mike and I was tempted towards Heath Spotted but the long-tapering spike is un-chracteristic of Heath Spotted, I think if you saw this plant without being able to see the lip-marking I'm sure you would immediately say Common Spotted? I think it is generally fair to say that Heath Spotted has a short pyramidal shaped spike, often cut-off as in Northern Marsh.

Habitat would be interesting though. as the two species are often described simply from their habitat.

I don't like to introduce the question of a hybrid, as between Com Spot. and Heath Spot. such is not at all common.

I think if we saw this plant 'in-situ' we would have little problem with it. But you know what theses two can be like.

And as Foley and Clarke say in their book on Orchids, "there will be many plants in this group to which a name cannot be given". So we could both be right! (or wrong).
All the best.
Dorts.

[david156]

Habitat is damp overgrown scrubby meadow near a river.

David

[Dorts]

Originally Posted by david156

Habitat is damp overgrown scrubby meadow near a river.
David

Thanks for that David. That sways it more towards Common Spotted. So Im happy to ID it as that.
Dorts.