Marsh Orchids for ID please

[jeffnsue]

Once again I throw myself on the generosity of the forum as I seek to identify these four plants. The photographs were taken in the Anglesey fens on 27 June.

I've had a stab at each, regrettably Windows doesn't allow a question mark in file names!

Jeff

Plant 1 - Early Marsh Orchid ssp cruenta?



PLant 2 - Early Marsh Orchid ssp pulchella?



Plant 3 - Northern Marsh Orchid ssp purpurella?



Plant 4 - Narrow Leaved Marsh Orchid?

[the young hunter]

Hi Jeff,

Plant one is a classic Early-Marsh Orchid with salmon pink flowers and unmarked leaves (any marks you can see is damage and not genuine leaf spotting).

Plant three certainly has the dimensions and shape of a Northern Marsh Orchid but I can't remember seeing any growing in the fens I was there. Nonetheless, I would say you are right.

The other 2 plants are also correctly identified.

All at Cors Bodeilio?

Mike.

[jeffnsue]

Hi Mike

All at Cors Bodeilio. Saw Marsh Helleborine too, but even I can identify that. Is that site worth another visit or is the party over for this year.

Did you see my PM asking for advice on how much detail to give on plant sitings?

Jeff

[Dorts]

I agree with Mike on the ID of the first two plants.
1. is Early Marsh - D incarnata. (Jeff, ssp. cruenta is extremely rare and only found in a couple of places in NW Scotland and in the Burren region of the West of Ireland. It is almost unique in having leaves well-spotted on both sides.)

2. is Early Marsh - D incarnata ssp pulchella.

Plant 3. is not a Northern Marsh. There are no 'loops' or 'dashes' on the lip. The lip is 'pinched' as in D. incarnata.
Here is a perfect example of Northern Marsh from just across the islant at Newborough.


So I suggest that plant 3. is a variety of D. incarnata.

Plant 4 again is not a typical of Narrow-leaved Marsh. The fine spots on the lip are very similar to plant 3 and has none of the typical 'loops and dashes' of this species. The lip is 'pinched' rather than open and broad. But it is a variable species and I agree that the overall stature of this plant is in keeping with D. traunsteineroides.


It is worth noting that Souther Marsh used to grow in the Fenlands of Anglesey some 30 years ago, including at Cors Bodeilio, so it may be where the fine spots on the lips of some of these plants originally came from.

Northern Marsh has been recorded over most of the island in all suitable sites.
Dorts.

[jeffnsue]

Thanks Dorts, is this any better for NLMO?

Jeff

Plant 5 - Narrow Leaved Marsh Orchid?

[jeffnsue]

(Jeff, ssp. cruenta is extremely rare and only found in a couple of places in NW Scotland and in the Burren region of the West of Ireland. It is almost unique in having leaves well-spotted on both sides.)

Thanks Dorts, got my illustration and text from David Lang all in a muddle.

Jeff

[Dorts]

Originally Posted by jeffnsue

Thanks Dorts, is this any better for NLMO?Jeff

Jeff, this plant is much closer to Early Marsh ssp.pulchella than a Northern Marsh. (refer to my earlier pic. of N.M. as reference to a very typical plant of that species).

When you find a plant where the florets look as though they have been 'pinched' between finger and thumb, suspect Early Marsh, whatever the colour. This characteristic is diagnostic of that species.

That part of Anglesey has many different species and subspecies of dactyl orchids, and so the genetic mix is probably quite large and likely to throw-up many forms and varieties not easily assigned to a particular species. But great fun trying to do so!
Dorts.

[jeffnsue]

Thanks again Dorts.

I thought at first that the lip on plant 3 was the definitive diamond shape of Northern Marsh, but looking again I think it was wishful thinking - it has to be diamond shaped and flat, not pinched.

Jeff

[jeffnsue]

Sorry Dorts, I've got my wires all crossed again: I was aking whether Plant 5 had a better chance of being Narrow Leaved Marsh Orchid, not Northern Marsh.

I though it had a nicely pinched lip, a nice little hood projecting over the lip and a longish central lobe. It also had decidedly narrow leaves. Is that latter quality yet another trick these blighters play on us, not looking like the name suggests they should?

I hear what you say about all the species and varieties that have lived alongside each other in the fens and I guess there's hardly a genetically pure plant left.

Jeff

[Dorts]

Originally Posted by jeffnsue

........ it has to be diamond shaped and flat, not pinched.
Jeff

You'll never forget that now Jeff!
Dorts.