There are between 50 and 60 wild orchids in the UK but for many the difference between the the different types of purple spike orchids or the different Helleborines (or even that they are orchids!) might not be that much of an issue. But the subtle differences between the species and the pleasure of finding a rare beauty such as a Military Orchid is what I find great about hunting them. I shouldn’t need to say this but don’t pick them, always watch where you are walking so you don’t trample them – some species have only a few sites and populations in the low hundreds or less.
This blog is an attempt to pull together a basic visual guide to the UK species I have found, which is between 30 and 40 of the UK species. The main flowering period is May to July. As species are spread all over Britain its difficult to get to see many each year, even when you are as obsessed as am! Rather than go into detailed descriptions (there are much more scholarly references including the excellent comprehensive and pocket guides by the Harraps). I have written about what I find interesting! All photos used are taken by me – generally just on a phone camera and they are as true to life as I can make them – they’re not filtered to make them pretty..
I have a gallery link covering many of the orchid species in the UK. This will continue to grow as I find more.
The page is a work in progress eventually each orchid will link trough to its own post with more pictures and interesting factoids
