{"id":15041,"date":"2022-03-31T07:52:13","date_gmt":"2022-03-31T05:52:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/?p=110482"},"modified":"2022-03-31T08:14:21","modified_gmt":"2022-03-31T06:14:21","slug":"orchid-id-guide-species-to-look-for-in-britain","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/orchid-id-guide-species-to-look-for-in-britain\/","title":{"rendered":"Orchid ID guide: species to look for in Britain"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Phil Gates\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Thursday, 31 March 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Orchid hunting is always a thrill, sometimes with a hint of magic. Their dust-like seeds, carried on the wind, mean that these charismatic wildflowers can appear almost anywhere, usually growing\u00a0on calcareous soils, grassland meadows and disused landscapes.<\/p>\n

There are a staggering 28,000 species of orchid worldwide, and between 52 and 57 native species of orchid in the UK (numbers vary from source to source).\u00a0Speaking very broadly, orchids flower from mid-spring through to late-summer, though specific flowering times and durations vary from species to species.<\/p>\n

This identification guide explores 15 of the more widely distributed UK species, from the early purple orchid and pyramidal orchid to the marsh helleborine.<\/p>\n

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Heath spotted orchids (above) are dandier than\u00a0common spotted orchids\/Credit: Massimiliano Finzi, Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

15 common orchids of Britain<\/h2>\n

Early purple orchid, Orchis mascula<\/em><\/h3>\n
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Early purple orchid\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

The early purple orchid can be found througout the UK. Usually the first species to bloom, often in bluebell<\/a> woods. Attracts bees<\/a> but inflorescences offer no nectar reward; by the time visitors discover the deceit, they\u2019ve already pollinated the flowers.<\/p>\n

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