Native orchid, Autumn Lady's-tresses, Spiranthes spiralis, flowering now on unimproved grasslands on the Downs and sympathetic churchyards.

The UK's native orchid, Autumn Lady's-tresses, Spiranthes spiralis, is flowering now on unimproved grasslands on the Downs and in sympathetically managed churchyards like this one in East Sussex.

 Resembling plaited hair, the leaves have withered before the flower spike appears.

 The flowers are tiny and easily overlooked; yet are exquisite to anyone enjoying the amazing beauty and diversity of our native flora.

An orchid fan is opera tenor, Francois Piolino on a rest day from singing in Ravel's Double bill at Glyndebourne this week.  He was pleased to see and photograph this delightful flower for the first time.
See also http://sussexrambler.blogspot.co.uk/2010/09/autumn-ladys-tresses-orchids.html