Other guides in the seriesfrom Pisces Publications

A guide to finding fungiin Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshireby Peter CreedISBN 978 1 874357 38 4

A guide to finding mossesin Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshireby Peter Creed and Tom HaynesISBN 978 1 874357 56 8

Wild orchids excite people. They are exotic, strange, delicate and beautiful. Andbeneath their intriguing appearance is an equally fascinating biology – manyspecies have developed intimate relationships with fungi to grow and germinateand they have evolved bizarre adaptations to ensure pollination. Above all, it istheir rarity that has impassioned botanists and plant lovers for centuries.

The three counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire are hometo 36 of the 56 native British species, making it the best area in the country tofind wild orchids. This Guide helps to identify the 36 species and focuses ontheir most distinctive features. Each species is beautifully photographed, whilethe text provides key characteristics and habitat information. It also includeswhere the orchids mentioned in this Guide can be found.

When looking for wild orchids please follow the country code. It is an illegaloffence to disturb, uproot and remove native wild plants.

9 781874 357575

ISBN 978-1-874357-57-5

1cm

2cm

3cm

4cm

5cm

6cm

7cm

8cm

9cm

10cm

11cm

12cm

13cm

14cm

15cm

16cm

17cm

18cm

The excitement of seeing a VioletHelleborine in the half-light of abeechwood, or a Bee Orchidresplendent in the grass is not easilyforgotten. Wild orchids excite peoplefor many reasons. They are exotic andstrange, delicate and beautiful.Beneath their intriguing appearance isan equally fascinating biology: manyspecies have developed intimaterelationships with fungi to grow andgerminate. Several species haveevolved bizarre adaptations to ensurepollination. Above all, it is their raritythat has impassioned botanists andplant collectors for centuries. A fewBritish orchids are so rare and grow atjust one or two sites that they areprotected in law and the exactlocations are a closely-guarded secret.

The three counties of Berkshire,Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire arehome to 36 of the 56 native Britishspecies, making them the best area inthe country to find wild orchids. ThisGuide concentrates on thecharacteristic appearance of the 36species. It features the flowering time,key habitat information and where tolook locally. It also includes similarspecies with clear distinctions to helpavoid confusion when identifying aplant in the field.

Sadly, the majority of orchidsdescribed in this Guide are declining innumber due to the scarcity of thehabitats that they depend upon. Theancient grasslands, woodlands andwetlands that were once commonthroughout our landscape aredisappearing at an alarming rate. Wehope that this Guide inspires you toseek out some the orchids that arementioned and to support theorganisations that look after thenature reserves and special placeswhere they thrive.

ContentsIntroduction ... opposite

Where to look p.2

The orchidsWhite Helleborine p.4, Narrow-leavedHelleborine p.6, Red Helleborine p.8,Marsh Helleborine p.10, VioletHelleborine p.12, Broad-leavedHelleborine p.14, Narrow-lippedHelleborine p.16, Green-floweredHelleborine p.18, CommonTwayblade p.20, Bird’s-nest Orchid p.22,Ghost Orchid p.24, Autumn Lady’s-tresses p.26, Musk Orchid p.28, GreaterButterfly-orchid p.30, Lesser Butterfly-orchid p. 32, Chalk Fragrant-orchid p.34,Marsh Fragrant-orchid p.36, FrogOrchid p.38, Common Spotted-orchid p.40, Heath Spotted-orchid p.42,Early Marsh-orchid p.44, SouthernMarsh-orchid p.46, Narrow-leavedMarsh-orchid p.48, Early-purpleOrchid p.50, Lady Orchid p.52, MilitaryOrchid p.54, Monkey Orchid p.56, ManOrchid p.58, Burnt Orchid p.60,Pyramidal Orchid p.62, Green-wingedOrchid p.64, Lizard Orchid p.66, FlyOrchid p.68, Early Spider-orchid p.70,Bee Orchid p.72

A GUIDE TO FINDING

in Berkshire,Buckinghamshire &Oxfordshire

Peter Creed & Rachel Hudson

© Peter Creed & Rachel Hudson 2013

All photographs © Peter Creed

All rights reserved. No part of thepublication may be reproduced, stored in aretrieval system, or transmitted, in any formor by any means electronic, mechanical,photocopying, recording or otherwise,without prior permission of the publishers.

First published 2013

British Library-in-Publication DataA catalogue record for this book isavailable from the British LibraryISBN 978 1 874357 57 5

Designed by Naturebureau,36 Kingfisher Court, Hambridge Road,Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 5SJwww.naturebureau.co.uk

Published by Pisces Publications(the imprint of Naturebureau)

Printed by Portland Print,Kettering, Northamptonshire

73

ORCHIDSBee OrchidOphrys apifera

FLOWERING TIME Early June to late July

HEIGHT 10–45cm

DESCRIPTION One of our best known and well-loved orchids, this exotic-lookingspecies resembles a fat, furry bumblebee perched on a stalk. Each inflorescenceusually has two to seven flowers. The three large pink sepals contrast with thevelvety maroon, pouch-like lip which is decorated with yellow markings and formsthe ‘body’ of the bee. The two small side lobes are particularly hairy and resemblethe bee’s knees. The slender, greenish or pinkish-brownpetals form the bee’s ‘antennae’. Bee Orchids can vary incolour, shape and markings – one example with a pointedlip is known as ‘wasp orchid’. The flowers have evolved toattract male bees as pollinators, by luring them in to ‘mate’.However, almost all plants are self-pollinated. Soon after theflower opens the anther releases the pollinia which danglelike little balls on the ends of their flexible stalks to beblown by a breeze onto the stigma. The pale green basalleaves appear in September to November and often lookscorched by summer.

HABITAT Though the Bee Orchid has an aura of rarity itis an adaptable grassland species and can be found inlarge numbers across a wide variety of habitats, fromwell-drained calcareous grassland and disusedgravel pits to roadside verges. It has evenbeen known to pop up in garden lawns,much to the delight of householders.

WHERE TO LOOK This species is notuncommon in the three counties.Particularly good sites includeArdley Quarry (Bicester),Homefield Wood (Marlow),Chimney Meadows (Bampton),all BBOWT nature reserves.

SIMILAR SPECIES

Early Spider-orchid (p.7O)flowers in April and hasyellowish sepals and petals,rather than pink, has a shinyslate blue band on its lip andlacks yellow markings.

Orchid walks are a great way to findout more about orchids in yourarea. The Berks, Bucks & OxonWildlife Trust organises guidedwalks with a local expert in thespring and summer (for details visitwww.bbowt.org.uk). Or see the‘What’s on’section in the local press.

24

25

Ghost OrchidEpipogium aphyllum

STATUS Red Listing: Critically Endangered. Fully protected under Schedule 8 of theWildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

FLOWERING TIME May to September

HEIGHT 5–10cm, can reach up to 20cm

DESCRIPTION True to its name, the Ghost Orchid has a pale, ethereal appearance. Thefew, large ‘waxy’ flowers have yellow-whitish petals and the stem, swollen at thebase, is translucent white, washed with pinkish-brown. There are no green leaves andthe orchid depends entirely on fungi throughout its life. A small number of spikes areproduced, with one to four at any one site in a year. The few flowers are scented with aclover-shaped lip with a thick, reddish spur that rests against the lip. The flowers arevisited by both bees and wasps, but some years the orchid may not flower at all. It isan elusive plant: 10 years, even 20, may pass before flowering takes place again.

HABITAT The Ghost Orchid is one of the rarestwild plants in Britain and its rarity makesit the Holy Grail for manyorchidophiles. It has only beenrecorded in two regions, includingthe Chilterns. It grows in heavy shadeunder beech woodland and because ofits pale colour and its relatively small size,it is not easy to see amongst the leaf litterand is probably an overlooked species.

WHERE TO LOOK Although the Ghost Orchidhas not been recorded since the 1990slocally, it is worth keeping an eyeout in the Chiltern beechwoodsbetween Marlow and Henley. Toadd to the challenge ofdiscovering a Ghost Orchid, itseldom appears in exactly thesame location.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Ghost Orchid was discoveredin Oxon near Stoke Row in 1931by Vera Paul (then a schoolgirl).In 1953 it reappeared, this timein Bucks 10 miles from theprevious site. Encouraged bythese findings Vera Paul wenton to find two flower spikesonce again near Stoke Row.

52

57

Monkey OrchidOrchis simia

STATUS Red Listing: Vulnerable, Nationally Rare. Fully protected under Schedule 8 ofthe Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. On the Biodiversity Action Plan UK list ofpriority species.

FLOWERING TIME Late May to early June

HEIGHT 10–30cm

DESCRIPTION This exquisite and exotic-looking little plant is unique among Britishorchids as the flowers open from the top downwards, giving it a rather untidyappearance. The flowers are very distinctive. The sepals and petals form a long,pointed hood, coloured white and tinged with lilac-rose. The lip has four lobes,tinged darker pink, which form the straggly ‘arms’ and ‘legs’ of a monkey. A small‘fifth lobe’ forms a short tail between the ‘legs’. Since theflowers open in quick succession, the spike is at its best fora relatively short period. The flowers have a mild scentof vanilla and are visited by flies, bees and butterflies,although the spur is not thought to contain nectar.Because of its rarity, some populations have beenhand-pollinated. This rare species is confined to justthree sites in Britain, two in Kent and one in theOxfordshire Chilterns at Hartslock. Records for theMonkey Orchid at Hartslock date from 1792 and itis thought to be the only site in Britain with sucha continuous history. It has paler flowers andis smaller than the plants found in Kent.

HABITAT The Monkey Orchid grows inchalky soils in well-drained, sunny,south-facing grassland, or onthe edges of woodland.

WHERE TO LOOK Hartslock naturereserve (Goring). Each yearthe number of plants atHartslock are carefullymapped and monitoredby BBOWT.

SIMILAR SPECIES

The Lady × Monkey hybrid(p.52) is a much larger, morevigorous plant which resemblesthe Lady Orchid, more than theMonkey Orchid although itshares the same lip shape butwith slightly thicker ‘legs’.

64

65

Green-winged OrchidAnacamptis morio

STATUS Red Listing: Near Threatened

FLOWERING TIME Late April to mid-June

HEIGHT 8–30cm

DESCRIPTION This beautiful, petite orchid has a few large flowers which are verydistinctive. Though they can vary in colour from deep red-purple to rose-pink orwhite, the sepals and petals form a hood clearly marked with green or bronzeparallel veins. The broad lip is often violet-purple, whiter in the centre, and at themouth of the spur there are usually purple spots and blotches. The flowers produceno nectar and the plant uses a powerful scent to trick bees, especially bumblebees,into visiting and cross-pollinating them. There is a rosette of leaves at ground leveland the stem leaves, which are never spotted, closely clasp the stem.

HABITAT Once widespread in our region, the Green-winged Orchid grew in profusion alongside cowslipsin damp pastures and undisturbed grassland. Sincethe 1950s agricultural changes, including theploughing up of pastures and the use of fertilisers,have led to a dramatic fall in numbers and it isone of our most rapidly disappearing species.

WHERE TO LOOK Green-winged Orchids in theirthousands at Bernwood Meadows nature reserve,seven miles north-east of Oxford, owned byBBOWT. Although they can grow in largenumbers, the species is now limited tothe few remaining old pastures thatare sympathetically managed.

DID YOU KNOW?

Green-winged orchid flowerscome in many shades of purpleand in other colours too, frompink, white and even apricot .

68

69

Fly OrchidOphrys insectifera

STATUS Red Listing: Vulnerable. On the Biodiversity ActionPlan UK list of priority species.

FLOWERING TIME End of April to June

HEIGHT Up to 50cm

DESCRIPTION The Fly Orchid is a very distinctive species andis the most fascinating example of insect mimicry amongBritish orchids. The tall, slender spikes have well-spacedflowers which resemble a group of small flies sitting on astem. The folded dark-purple lip resembles an insect’s hairybody and at the base of the lip there are two glistening ‘eyes’.The slate-blue band across the centre forms the speculumand shines like folded wings. The column forms the insect’shead and the two small brown petals the insect’s antennae.Although the plant does not produce nectar, it releases ascent that mimics a female wasp’s sexual pheromones. Thescent, combined with the shape and velvety texture of theflowers prove irresistible to male digger wasps which attempt tomate with the flowers and inadvertently help to pollinate theplant. The narrow, strap-shaped, blue-green leaves emergein autumn, lasting through the winter.

HABITAT The Fly Orchid can be found at the edge ofbeechwoods and chalk scrub on chalk andlimestone soils. It prefers the better-lit areasin glades and along rides, as well asshaded road banks. Occasionally it willgrow in shadier locations such asovergrown hazel coppice.

WHERE TO LOOK Fly Orchids arenot common locally but can befound in the Chilterns andBerkshire Downs. Head toWarburg Nature Reserve(Henley), Homefield Wood(Marlow) and Dancersend(Wendover) – all BBOWT.

DID YOU KNOW?

Fly Orchids, once widespread,have declined so rapidly that theyare now listed as Vulnerable bythe International Union for theConservation of Nature.