Shiny green orchid leaves on bare ground.
Shiny green orchid leaves on bare ground
Following a report of a Lizard Orchid, supposedly in Worcestershire, where it has never been recorded previously, I was given a likely area to check, so went to search today.
Amazingly, not only was it true, but there were in fact 3 rosettes, 2 of which are very large and will flower this year!
First thing: don't come flocking to the Purbecks coast expecting to see these amazing orchids in good numbers just yet. I am local to the area, and finding any this time of year is down to years of accumulated knowledge of where the earliest plants flower - along with appreciation of conducive weather conditions. Wait until around mid-April to see them at their best., when they flower in tens of thousands!
A little collage of the Ophrys sphegodes I saw on the Purbeck coast 11.03.26. Please read the ALT text if you are thinking of visiting 😉 @bsbibotany.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social @ukorchids.bsky.social @withylake.bsky.social
Good afternoon from the Purbeck coast. An early Early Spider Orchid (Ophrys sphegodes). Earliest one I've recorded in flower (11.03.26). @ukorchids.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social @withylake.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social
Purple orchid spoke among grass
First wild orchid of the season in Hampshire 😀
Lovely plant 🤩
Some early signs of Spring in a local woodland; Hazel buds, Hawthorn buds, Dog's Mercury, Bluebell shoots, Lords and Ladies, and a sizeable colony of Early Purple orchid rosettes.
#WildFlowerHour
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@bsbibotany.bsky.social
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They are perennial so the rosettes at least should be there.
Are you spotting orchid rosettes in your area?
Would you like to be able to recognise native orchids before they come into bloom?
Try this helpful #WildFlowerID guide which Mike Waller of @ukorchids.bsky.social fame created for @nhm-london.bsky.social:
www.nhm.ac.uk/take-part/id...
Less than two weeks to go to order via the Kickstarter 👍🏼
A timely reminder from @annashergold.bsky.social to look out for #orchid rosettes while you're hunting for flowers, 'tho they don't count for #NewYearPlantHunt.
Need some help IDing orchids before they bloom? Try this helpful guide by Mike Waller @ukorchids.bsky.social: www.nhm.ac.uk/take-part/id...
@ukorchids.bsky.social Early Purple Orchid pushing through in West Sussex woodland
...I should ad that, although the kickstarter is set to ship only to UK, we are able to despatch elsewhere in the world upon request.
Stately white orchid spikes emerging from vegetation, title of book is ORchids of Britain and Ireland - a photographic guide, by Mike Waller and Sean Cole with Rainar Kurbel
Burnt-tip Orchids, white flowers speckled with maroon markingd, the flower spikes topped by dark maroon
Fields of Green-winged Orchids at sunset
Various paler examples of Green-winged Orchids, showing the beauty and variety of this species
Hi orchid lovers!
Our new book is due to be published in spring 2026!
It will be a large-format, A4 photographic guide to all British & Irish orchids, to complement our field guide, Britain's Orchids.
Please support us if you'd like a copy!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/orc...
👏🏼
There are no records for Scotland but suitable habitat like this, and the climate is much better for it than in southern England. Just needs someone to look. Especially is you get a wet winter, spring, then again in July.
Magpie Inkcap, Clustered Bellflower & White Helleborine during a works day out in the Chilterns yesterday. #Botany #UKOrchids #wildflowers #orchids #fungi #Chilterns #Autumn #fungifriday
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You should look for Ghost Orchids there in August 🙏🏼👍🏼
White-flowered Orchid growing in grass.
Autumn lady's tresses still in flower in the New Forest 😳🤩
They've never really flourished at this site, despite annual management. I wonder why?
Pyramidal Orchid up on the front lawn, partially covered by the Ivy Bee excavations.
Sawston, Cambs.
@ukorchids.bsky.social
The Bee Orchids are up on the front lawn/meadow. The Ivy Bee colony is also appreciating the short-cropped grass. No sign of the Pyramidal Orchids yet.
Sawston, Cambs.
@ukorchids.bsky.social
Bee and Lizard orchid rosettes in our local (Cambs.) country park, getting ready for Winter. I hope there's a little more rain for them next year... 🤞🏻
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
@ukorchids.bsky.social
Pics?? 😍
Fresh Autumn lady's-tresses (Spiranthes spiralis) appearing at Dawlish Warren following the recent rain 😃 @ukorchids.bsky.social
Broad-leaved Helliborine (Epipactis helleborine), in seed. Buchan Country Park, West Sussex
Broad-leaved Helliborine (Epipactis helleborine), in seed. Buchan Country Park, West Sussex
Broad-leaved Helliborine (Epipactis helleborine), in seed. Buchan Country Park, West Sussex
Today’s highlight? when #Volunteers found a previously unrecorded location for Broad-leaved helleborine (Epipactis helleborine) on site #orchids #wildflowers #BuchanCountryPark #WestSussex How these plants have gone unnoticed to date is beyond me? @bsbibotany.bsky.social @ukorchids.bsky.social
Magnificent 🥰😍👏🏼
A misty and magical sunrise in the New Forest 25.08.25. Perfect to see the main flush of Autumn Lady's-tresses (Spiranthes spiralis). Literally tens of thousands of spikes pushing through the parched turf. @bsbibotany.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social #orchid
Sorry was slow to reply 👍🏼
This is not something to boast about, however long ago it was.
