Greater Butterfly Orchid

Another orchid that appears to be doing well this year out in the forest is the Greater Butterfly Orchid (Platanthera chlorantha), they're well represented over Wilverley Plain.

A carpet of orchids

As we spiralled upwards around the three ramparts on our evening walk around the ramparts of Badbury Rings, we walked between swathes of orchids which carpeted the steep banks. Common Spotted Orchids (Dactylorhiza fuchsii) are represented in huge numbers and many varied forms, each seemingly unique. Whilst this year the Greater Butterfly Orchids (Platanthera chlorantha) are far more abundant that they were last year. Lovely, nature in her finest attire. As we wandered, our course set by the rings themselves, we were afforded a carousel of panoramic views, before descending through a chest high meadow towards the car. What a fine walk, I congratulate myself on my decision to come this way. I think Badbury's going to be a walk of choice for a while.

Greater Butterfly Orchid

I added another orchid to my 'orchids what I have found list'; todays addition was the Greater Butterfly Orchid (Platantherachlorantha), a new one on me. I only spied 5 flower spikes though they all stood out, all fighting for space and light amongst the clutter of a chalk grassland thicket that makes up part of Vernditch chase, particularly now in summer when the landscape really comes to life. It may not be as colourful as others I've come across, but it certainly has a striking form; the Greater Butterfly Orchid's quite tall at about 35cm or so, crowned with a long cluster of large greenish white flowers, each flower sporting a long tongue at the front and a very long spur to the rear and I understand they smell of vanilla, although due to a bit of hay fever I couldn't detect any scent. What a lovely find though.