Sexual deceit & native Orchids of Sussex: Early purple-orchids & Early spider-orchids at Castle Hill yesterday

 Two native Orchids of Sussex: Early purple & Early spider-orchids were photographed yesterday at Castle Hill in glorious weather.  A high pollen count made for some discomfort though.

 The Early purple-orchids flowering among cowslips is a joy to see.

 The diminutive Early Spider-orchid attracts pollinators by sexual deceit.  A male solitary bee gets the pollinia stuck to the front of its head.  You can see a tiny bee in the picture below.  The plant has a three year cycle form seed to flowering.  Reference: Britain's Orchids by David Lang.