Pyramidal orchid

A Pyramidal orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis), an orchid fond of chalk grassland, so right at home on the rampart of Chiselbury Camp.

Heath Spotted Orchid

The acid soils of the New Forest heathland and bog are perfect for Heath Spotted Orchids (Dactylorhiza maculata), which are currently popping up all over the place. There's a rolling succession of flora in the forest, everything has it's time to shine, and it's their time now. 

Southern Marsh orchid

 

A Southern Marsh orchid (Dactylorhiza praetermissa) near Ossemsley ford.

Autumn lady’s tresses

 

Autumn lady’s tresses (Spiranthes spiralis), the last of our native orchids to appear, are coming up all over Spy Holms at the moment. Quite the diminutive orchid they're easily overlooked if you're not paying attention, attractive though, comprising dainty little white flowers with greeny yellow bracts growing spirally around a single stem. They favour rough grassland and heath, though are more commonly found on calcareous soils they will tolerate lightly acidic soils, and Spy Holms usually puts on a good display of them.

Pyramidal orchid

Amongst the throng of grasses and chalk grassland flora, a sea of pyramidal orchids (Anacamptis pyramidalis) stand proud, their tight form, shape and distinctive flowers make this orchid quite easy to identify. 

Early Marsh Orchid

 

I think, though don't hold me to it, that this is an uncommon white form of the Early Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza incarnata) discovered on the ramparts of Hambledon Hill.

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.

Heath Spotted Orchid

 

I can't remember ever seeing so many Heath Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza maculata) as I have this year; Rhinefield Heath is crammed with them, it really wouldn't be an exaggeration to say there are thousands of them about. A beautiful sight.

Southern Marsh Orchid

Those Southern Marsh orchids (Dactylorhiza praetermissa) near Ossemsley ford,which a week ago were just coming out are now in full bloom, and lovely they are too.

Orchids

In a wet corner of a lowland meadow near Ossemsley ford on Avon Water, Southern Marsh orchids (Dactylorhiza praetermissa) are just beginning to burst forth and open. If you fancy a challenge, there are 15 species of wild orchid in the New Forest to spot between now and Autumn. On your marks!

Autumn Lady’s Tresses

Spy Holms is covered in Autumn Lady’s Tresses orchid (Spiranthes spiralis); it's been a bumper season for these delicate beauties, so much so you have to mindful of your steps.   

Pyramidal Orchid

Either standing alone or in diffuse clusters, Pyramidal orchids (Anacamptis pyramidalis) are a common sight throughout the rough chalk grassland at this time of year. A beauty to behold.

Heath Spotted Orchid

Heath Spotted Orchid's (Dactylorhiza maculata) were a common sight on our this morning whenever we moved beyond the wood's edge. Which was nice to see.

Pyramidal Orchid

Now there's a thing I wasn't expecting to to see today, a Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis), beautiful. We were on our way to the lotty when I spied this solitary orchid in a spot I'd never seen them previously, uncharacteristiclly in a rather shady spot too.  I'd usually have been keeping my eye out for the orchids we'd see across the varied landscapes we roam, of course, not this year. So this was a lovely thing to see, a welcome treat. We're blessed with a wide range of orchids around the places we visit, in fact some rather rare ones. I'm hoping to go watch the Summer Solstice sun rise from Badbury Rings, which is always particularly abundant, both in variety and quantity...hoping.

Autumn lady’s tresses

Autumn lady’s tresses (Spiranthes spiralis), are one of the forests easily overlooked floral treasures. A small and delicate member of the orchid family, Autumn lady’s tresses flower from late summer through to mid autumn, and in a good season Spy Holms can be covered in them. 

Lady's Tresses

Autumn lady’s tresses (Spiranthes spiralis), so unassuming and delicate that they're easily overlooked as you stride out over Spy holms. Although not as abundant as in previous years, these beautiful tiny orchids are putting on a lovely show.

Orchids

Orchids are cool.

Autumn lady’s tresses

That delicate herald of seasons change the Autumn lady’s tresses (Spiranthes spiralis), are beginning to show. Called 'Autumn', they usually appear in August and September, although I usually spot them in the latter month. Only one or two, though it's still early doors, in a good season they can carpet their roams.

Breather

A butterfly stops briefly for a breather on a Common Spotted Orchid before alighting once again to rejoin the aerial foray. 

Burnt Tip Orchids

Burnt Tip Orchids (Neotinea ustulata) on Martin Down. A really beautiful and rare (ish) sight, I counted 14 this year.