COMMON SPOTTED ORCHID : Dactylorhiza fuchsii
You will be excused if you find this plant confusing. Not only does it range widely in colour from pale pink to deep purple, but it is also rather inconspicuous until it suddenly appears, often in amongst other flowers.
Dactylorhiza fuchsii, also known as the common spotted orchid, is a species of orchid that is native to Europe and Asia. They typically grow in damp meadows and pastures, and on the edges of woods and bogs. The flowers are typically purplish-pink with darker spots, and bloom in late spring to early summer. The leaves are typically long, narrow, and glossy green. [Wildflower web].
The flowers range from white and pale pink, through to purple, but have distinctive darker pink spots and stripes on their three-lobed lips. The flowers are densely packed in short, cone-shaped clusters. [Wildlife Trusts].
This website notes that this orchid species is not threatened, but also emphasises that it is it is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 in the UK, and it is illegal to pick or uproot the plant without permission. [Wildflower web].
This was one of several that appeared in early June on the grassy bank overlooking the barrage on the Leven.
This is the grassy bank. More conspicuous are the many lesser celandine and quite a lot of lesser daisy. But looker closer and you will see the purple flowers of the spotted orchid in amongst them.
This raises the question as to why they are here. They typically grow in damp meadows and pastures, and on the edges of woods and bogs. Here they have appeared at the edge of Fishers Wood. This bank is sloping.and well drained. It is mowed occassionally. Each autumn it is covered by a golden layer of fallen leaves which will contribute to the richness of the soil.
WILDLIFE TRUST : https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/wildflowers/common-spotted-orchid
WILD FLOWER WEB : http://www.wildflowerweb.co.uk/plant/349/common-spotted-orchid
