Local Wild Orchids in Habitat
Common Name: Early Spider Orchid
Latin Name: Ophrys sphegodes
Photographer: Vincent Blood
Date of Image: 21/05/2025
Photographer’s Comments:
“Overall the plants are not as advanced as we've seen in recent years. Though not cold, the winter was often dull for long spells. The ground was also saturated in Jan/Feb - so slower to warm. For a species at the tip of its northern range, these are significant factors. Over the past few weeks the ground has dried out - so much so I was glad we have some rainfall again!
While this advanced plant will likely flower in the next few days, it is a real exception. Some have the beginnings of a stem bud - and leaf rosettes are visible in quite a few places. The vast majority are not visible at all. It will therefore be mid-April before any appreciable numbers are in bloom - and I reckon last week of April as the peak time. In recent years 2nd & 3rd week have been the best.”
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Common Name: Common Spotted Orchid
Latin Name: Dactylorhiza Fuchsie
Photographer: Nick Fry
Site Name: Badbury Rings
Date of Image: 31/05/2025
Photographer’s Comments:
“Despite having suffered a very dry spring, this specimen has done well compared to many seen elsewhere on the site.”
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Common Name: Greater Butterfly Orchid
Latin Name: Platanthera chlorantha
Photographer: Nick Fry
Site Name: Badbury Rings
Date of Image: 31/05/2025
Photographer’s Comments:
“A nice grouping of this species on one of the sites steep chalk slopes.”
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Common Name: White Helleborine
Latin Name: Cephalanthera damasonium
Photographer: Nick Fry
Site Name: Badbury Rings
Date of Image: 31/05/2025
Photographer’s Comments:
“These two plants were growing under a tree, in light shade. Note that before the flower spike forms, see how the orchid's leaves are so similar in colour with the adjacent grasses.”
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Common Name: Greater Butterfly Orchid
Latin Name: Platanthera chlorantha
Photographer: Nick Fry
Site Name: Badbury Rings
Date of Image: 31/05/2025
Photographer’s Comments:
“A picture showing this species growing with typical plant life at this site. Note that as it is on chalk, you will not find it growing with the Lesser Butterfly Orchid as they only grow together where the substrate is ph7, i.e. neutral.”
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Common Name: White Helleborine
Latin Name: Cephalanthera damasonium
Photographer: Nick Fry
Site Name: Badbury Rings
Date of Image: 31/05/2025
Photographer’s Comments:
“These specimens are shown growing, in deep shade, under a beech tree. Note that the flowers are hardly open. This is typical for this species, however, the flowers can occasionally be found to have opened more than than the ones in the picture.”
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