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.
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