For illustrated talks on natural history and history see www.peterlovetttalks.co.uk

For illustrated talks on natural history and history click here for www.peterlovetttalks.co.uk

Sunday 8 July 2012

Bird's-nest Orchid, Neottia nidus-avis today at Box Hill, Surrey.


The flowers of these Bird's-nest Orchids , Neottia nidus-avis, were well past their best, yet a delight to find underneath beech trees at Box Hill in Surrey.

The Bird's-nest Orchid is named from the tangle of roots underground.  It has no chlorophyll and spends its life underground except when it puts up a flower spike.  It is saprophytic, depending on mychorizal fungi to provide nutrient from decaying organic matter.


Some of the flowers had already developed seed capsules.

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