Man Orchids last week in Kent

On the 5th June, there were thousands of Man Orchids in bloom at this site in Kent.

Aren't they magnificent?

Four native orchid species in flower this afternoon on the South Downs

A variant (white and pink) Early-purple Orchid was in flower.

Common Twayblades were plentiful.

Both orchids are in this picture.

A White Helleborine (?) was about to open.

 

 

The fourth was the Fly Orchid.

It was a rather enjoyable walk this afternoon.

Bird's-nest Orchids flowering now in a Surrey Beech wood

Bird's-nest Orchids were flowering today in this wood in Surrey.

Lacking chlorophyll, they live saprophytically underground, emerging only to flower.

There is quite a little "forest" of flowers which have emerged amongst the dead flower stems from last year.