Some native orchids of the High Weald of Sussex; Common Spotted-orchids, Heath Spotted-orchids. Southern Marsh-orchids, & strange hybrid? forms.

Common Spotted-orchids, Dactylorhiza fuchsii were spectacular yesterday in the High Weald of West Sussex in the UK.

 These two very fine pale flowers were in a sheltered, waterside location.

Could the above be a Heath Spotted-orchid (or a hybrid).

 There was a smal group of Southern Marsh-orchids, with characteristic unspotted leaves and flower shape (above and below).

 More Common Spotted-orchids but the one below seems to have curiously segmented and elongated dorsal sepals -- a strange hybrid perhaps?

Hiding in quite dense vegetation was a tiny orchid, a curious variant of a Common Spotted one perhaps.

For anyone interested in a public speaker on the Natural History of the South East of England, please see www.peterlovetttalks.co.uk.