Orchids of Trefonen and District by Ruth DawesThe Early Purple-orchid has pretty well gone over now, but it is found on hedge banks, woodland edges and shady fields around Trefonen, Treflach, Nantmawr and elsewhere in our area. It has dark purple flowers with a long spur at the back and leaves with untidy spots. Difficult to tell apart from much rarer Green-winged Orchid at first, but the latter has unspotted leaves and is an open meadow plant. Green-winged are occasionally seen around Nantmawr, but late April to early May.
Find a damper place to spot Southern Marsh-orchid. Like a big version of a Common-spotted, but with usually unspotted leaves and the lower lip of the flower not so equally divided into three. It is very occasional in our upland area, but there are one or two spots for it in marshy fields. |
Common SpottedThe next orchid you are likely to spot locally is the Common Spotted-orchid, also with spotted leaves, but paler flowers with the bottom lip equally divided into three. This is an orchid of meadows, quarries and even lawns if you live in the top of Trefonen and your garden is close to the limestone bedrock. Close to the footpath on St John’s Hill is a good place to spot them.
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Pyramidal OrchidsLess common, but a joy to find are Pyramidal Orchids with their shocking pink flowers and unspotted leaves. Initially the shape is indeed pyramidal, but as the flower spike ages it develops a more rotund shape. This is a plant usually of open places, sunny meadows and quarries. I have seen them in old unimproved meadows around Treflach so it is worth a look anywhere on the limestone.
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Common TwaybladesNow, you have done the easy-peasy bit; have a go at some totally greenish jobs. Much to my surprise I have recently found a patch of over 70 Common Twayblades on the edge of an old meadow not far from Nantmawr, which I was invited to look at. I usually only find these on nature reserves around here so that was heart-warming. Two opposite oval leaves low down are the key.
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Frog OrchidSmaller and much rarer, but still greenish, is the Frog Orchid. It is supposed to resemble its namesake, but I can’t see it I am afraid. It very occasionally occurs in old unimproved meadows where turf is short and I have seen it in small numbers on St John’s Hill. Be careful not to trample please. It thrives in one well managed site at Pant, but is becoming increasingly rare due to loss of habitat.
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If you want to practice, then the orchids are starting to put on a fine show in the meadows and rushy pasture of Sweeney Fen Nature Reserve. There are Common-spotted in the grassland and Marsh Orchids in the rushy areas. Sometimes the orchids cross and you will see some tall fine hybrid specimens.
I haven’t seen the cream-flowered Greater Butterfly-orchid in our upland area lately, but it would be great if someone spots them on hedge banks, woodland edges or an old quarry.
Occasionally, you might find a Bee Orchid in a local limestone quarry or a really nice well managed unimproved meadow and they really are a delight and well named.
A bit early for Autumn Lady’s-tresses yet so I will write about them later. They have sadly declined in local meadows in my lifetime due to less grazing in nooks and crannies.
I haven’t seen the cream-flowered Greater Butterfly-orchid in our upland area lately, but it would be great if someone spots them on hedge banks, woodland edges or an old quarry.
Occasionally, you might find a Bee Orchid in a local limestone quarry or a really nice well managed unimproved meadow and they really are a delight and well named.
A bit early for Autumn Lady’s-tresses yet so I will write about them later. They have sadly declined in local meadows in my lifetime due to less grazing in nooks and crannies.
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