What to Spot: Orchids

BY JANAINA DOS ANJOS, Biodiversity and Data Evidence Officer, EcoRecord

There are 57 native species of orchid (Orchidaceae) in the UK and here in Birmingham and the Black Country we have records of 15, plus one hybrid. Some are surprisingly easy to spot, whilst others are rarities and are only found in select areas.

Orchids have an immense variability, including both between and within species, which can sometimes make identification a bit tricky. Summer time is best for seeing orchids in their full colours, but you can generally find flowers from May all the way through to September.

Orchids are present in a variety of habitats, but often the best place to see them is in wildflower meadows. These habitats are a home to a variety of plants and animals, acting as a carbon store, and are therefore crucial for the health of the environment. The development of land and changes in farming practices means that wildflower meadows are now one of the rarest habitats in the UK. This is why we have been working to create and restore meadows for many years.

Here are six species of orchids that you may be able to spot around Birmingham and the Black Country:

Green-winged Orchid (Anacamptis

Taking its name from the green veins contained in its flowers, green-winged orchids flower in May and June. Greenwinged orchids are in a serious decline in the UK as they are sensitive to the chemical interventions that farmers take today to increase production of crops.

To identify: Their flowers can vary in colour from a deep purple to pale pink, with the occasional white. The hood formed by the sepals has a lining of green veins on the side of the hood formed by the tepals contained on the upper area of the flower. This is a good way to distinguish from the early-purple orchid, which is similar in appearance but does not contain these veins. The leaves are unspotted, and contained in a basal rosette, a circular arrangement of leaves. They grow between 7-15cm and are usually found on chalky soils.

Pyramidal Orchid ( Anacamptis pyramidalis)

The pyramidal orchid is a strikingly pink flower with spikes that form a pyramidal shape, hence the name. These orchids grow on chalk grasslands, coastal areas, scrub and even urban areas including verges, old quarries and railway embankments. This species flowers from June to July.

To identify: Pyramidal orchids can contain 100 clustered flowers in its dense spike and mature flowers will have a more cylindrical appearance. The flowers come in various shades of pink, although white forms can also occur and the flowers are upside down (resupinate). They grow between 20-60cm, and occasionally can reach up to 75cm. The leaves of this species are narrow and pointed and green-tinged grey in colour. Several leaves point outwards from the stem whilst some will point upwards, closer to the stem. There are many varieties of pyramidal orchids, including the white variety var. abiflora leaves. The best time to see this flower in bloom is from June to early August. They inhabit a wide array of habitats, including grasslands and wetlands, with a preference for chalky soils.

Common Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsia)

The common spotted orchid is a perennial species that is frequent throughout the UK and named after its heavily spotted

To identify: Typically, common spotted orchids range from 10-60 cm in height and their purple, oval spots help with identification. Early in the year, they are pyramidal in shape and become tubular later in the year along with solid stems, which can be felt by gently pressing them between your fingers. The colouring of the flowers can vary from white to a pale pink, with distinctive darker spots and stripes, speckled leaves and a very prominent central lip. The flowers form tightly packed, coneshaped clusters, which have a strong perfume that attracts day-flying moths.

Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera)

Bee orchid flowers mimic the appearance of bees, hence the name, making them a very distinctive species. These orchids flower later than most, in the UK it usually flowers around June. Although some can grow up to 65cm with as many as 11 flowers, many are smaller with only 2-3 flowers. They are a widespread species, and favour a wide variety of habitats, including dry chalk grasslands to wet conditions, and although it is tolerant of significant shade, has a preference to growing under complete sunlight.

To identify: This short to medium orchid, has a collection of leaves at ground level, and 3-4 greyish-green leaves along their stem, often peeled to the side. They have between 2-11 flowers which are brownish purple to yellowish green, with pink or purple sepals. The leaves contain a pale, midrib vein that goes through the centre of the leaves, and a silvery frosting on the upper surface of the leaf. This species has relatively large flowers, with sepals that mimic wings, and furry brown lips with yellow markings to mimic bees.

Southern Marsh-orchid (Dactylorhiza praetermissa)

One of the most common of the marsh orchids, this species is easiest to spot from June until August. Southern marshorchids generally grow in damp alkaline meadows, and although commonly believed to be a coastal species, they can grow inland too, including in damp meadows and riverbanks.

To identify: They can grow between 30-50cm, and even up to 70cm. They generally have plain, unmarked leaves, and flowers can vary in colour from a pale pink, to a much darker pink. Their lip markings can also vary. The stems of these species are usually hollow, which you can tell by gently compressing the lower stem between your finger and thumb (without picking the flower). Unlike the common spotted orchid, the leaves do not usually contain spots and the lower lip on the flower is generally flat and rarely contains two dark loops. This species is difficult to differentiate from the Northern marsh-orchid, but identification is possible with practice. The lip of the Southern marsh-orchid is gently rounded and slightly folded back, it generally has larger flowers and the lip of the northern marsh-orchid is more angular.

Common Spotted-orchid x Southern Marsh-orchid hybrid (Dactylorhiza x grandis)

Of all the British orchid species, spotted orchids produce the most hybrid species. Hybrids can be more challenging to identify, as there can be considerable variation in their appearance, especially in the lip pattern and form. Hybrid orchids will show characteristics of both parents, and both parents need to be in close proximity for confident identification.

To identify: These particular hybrids are the most frequent; however, they are only partially fertile. They can breed with their parent plants and, as a result, a swarm of flowers that look similar to either or both parents can develop in a population, making interpretation more challenging. Even in a small group of hybrids there can be lots of variation in their appearance, including shape, size, lip pattern and form. They flower between June and July, and are intermediate between both parent species in appearance, often with large and long flowerheads.

Action you can take to help protect our wildflower meadows:

1 When visiting meadows, keep to the paths (this includes dogs) to avoid trampling wildlife. This is particularly important when meadows are wet as people, animals or vehicles can damage the soil, the plant’s structure and earthworms.

2 We take care of many meadows through hay cutting, reseeding and scrub clearance all to benefit wildlife. You can help by volunteering! Look out for opportunities on our events page or on social media each summer.

3 Report your sightings to of wildflowers and other species EcoRecord, or your local record centre, to help inform planning policies and to monitor the current state of our meadows.

You can report your sightings using iNaturalist or iRecord, via the EcoRecord website at ecorecord.org.uk or by emailing us at enquiries@ecorecord.org.uk