Burnt Tip Orchid is a rapidly declining species of chalk downland, although scattered colonies exist in other areas such as Oaksey, it is the Wiltshire Downs that hold the largest numbers. Indeed it is the county flower of Wiltshire and Parsonage Down is home to the largest colony in Europe.
Flowering in June when spikes often in small clumps grow to around 15cm tall appear. It derives its name from the very dark flower buds that are a feature for most of the flowering period, until the last blooms open at the top of the spike.