The Heath Spotted orchid (Dactylorhiza Maculata) is found in the north and west of Britain. This one was found in early June on Dowrog Common, Pembrokeshire.
At first glance they seem similar to the Common Spotted Orchid. The ways it tends to differ are, the broader lips of the generally paler flowers which tend to be fringed rather than lobed, and the spotting on the leaves, which tend to be sparser and ‘tidier’. The flower spikes are generally small – up to 20cm tall, and pale. The often grow in small groups. The main identification give away is their location; Heath Spotted grow on more acidic soil on commons and moorland, including on coastal grasslands, such as Strumble Head near Fishguard.
Although it does grow in lowland southern Britain, such as at Clattinger Farm in Wiltshire, it is declining, meaning that trips to west Wales and Northern England as needed