Is this orchid a hybrid?

[Ditiola]

I found this orchid at the side of a busy road in Derbyshire. It looks very much like a common spotted orchid but it was 18" tall would I be correct in assuming it is a hybrid. There were other common spotted orchids nearby but I was unable to find any marsh orchids only Twayblades.

Peter

[the young hunter]

Hi there,

Certainly has the 'hybrid vigour' typical of hybrids but oddly, the leaves don't seem to be spotted unlike the majority of Southern Marsh x Common Spotted hybrids (of which this appears to be). My guess is that it is the aforementioned hybrid 'x grandis' but just lacks the leaf spotting. It's also common for just one parent to be present as in this case.

Mike.

[Dorts]

It's a pity you didn't take a close-up pic. but I am happy, from what i can see, to say it is a group of Southern Marsh Orchids.
But as Mike suggests, there could be a hint of a hybrid.
Dorts.

[sunnydale]

Originally Posted by Ditiola

They look fabulous Peter! It amazes me that orchids seem to pop up in some pretty strange locations!

Tracey

[lilyrose]

I think I know where these plants were found, the verge is full of orchids for quite a way - it's a lovely sight and can be distracting if you are driving. I have never dared to get out to photograph them though and always assumed they were Common Spotted after I'd seen them thus named with their photos on Flickr.

[diggleken]

The unmowm (if thats a word) areas of many roads are good for orchids - motorways and slip roads included - just watch where you're driving.......................
And much other wildlife too, where there is little human interference/disturbance.
Cheers
Ken

[Dorts]

Originally Posted by diggleken

The unmowm (if thats a word) areas of many roads are good for orchids - motorways and slip roads included - just watch where you're driving.......................
And much other wildlife too, where there is little human interference/disturbance. Cheers
Ken

There is a small busy round-a-bout near Bangor that has upwards of a thousand Common Spotted Orchids growing on it. Doesn't appear to be affected by the obvious pollution.
I often go out of my way when in the area as it is such a great sight, (but very difficult to get a photo!).
Dorts.

[King Edward]

I suspect that orchids and other grassland flowers might be benefiting from the nutrient-poor conditions on verges alongside new roads, where the earthworks associated with construction and reprofiling of the site have left exposed subsoil which restricts the growth of more vigorous species. I don't know if that's the case here though, or if this is a remnant of older grassland.

In time, I'd guess that nitrogen deposition from traffic exhausts might well enrich the soil to the point where some of the more interesting plants get crowded out.

[the young hunter]

Originally Posted by King Edward

In time, I'd guess that nitrogen deposition from traffic exhausts might well enrich the soil to the point where some of the more interesting plants get crowded out.

Wow, that's some theory!

I've found so many orchids by accident on road verges, particularly in the Mediterranean where virtually all the species I've seen on trips have been spotted from the car.
A site in the Chilterns for Epipactis purpurata numbers around 200 plants and all of them grow along the road - weird considering it's not a species that gains special benefit from lighter areas along rides and glades.

Mike.

[lilyrose]

If this is the site I think it is, then the soil is probably acidic as the road crosses a peat moor.