Orchids of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight
Autumn Lady's Tresses
Autumn Lady's Tresses at Ipley Cross-roads in the New Forest on August 21 2001
Autumn Lady's Tresses
This photo was taken on the lawn of the old Officer's Mess at the Royal Victoria Country Park in Weston on 4 September 2001.
Birdsnest Orchid
Usually found in Beech woodlands, these photos were taken at Galley Down (near Bishops Waltham) on 20 May 2001
Birdsnest Orchid
20 May 2001
Bog Orchid
This orchid is very small (usually not more than 3 inches tall) and as it's name suggests, is found in bogs. These photos were taken in Matley Bog in the New Forest on July 19 2002.
Bog Orchid
19 July 2002
Broad-leaved Helleborine
Grows on shady verges to a height of 24 inches. The first two photos were taken at Porton Down on 30 July 2000.
Broad-leaved Helleborine
30 July 2000
Broad-leaved Helleborine
This photo was taken at the Rownhams Service Station on the M27 on 16 July 2001
Burnt Orchid
Usually not taller than 5 inches, and grows in chalk downland. This photo was taken at Martin Down (Hants) on 4 June 2000
Burnt Orchid
Martin Down 4 June 2000
Burnt Orchid
4 June 2000
Common Spotted Orchid
Aptly named! It grows up to 15 inches tall, and can appear in a range of colours from deep pink to white. The first two photos were taken in Bentley Wood (the Hampshire section!)on 6 June 2001
Common Spotted Orchid
10 June 2001
Common Spotted Orchid
A white specimen! Butser Hill 24 June 2002
Common Spotted Orchid
Photo taken at Martin Down on 20 June 2002
Bee Orchid
Grows to 15 inches high sometimes, usually nearer 9 inches. These first three photos were taken at Holmsley in the New Forest on 10 June 2002.
Bee Orchid
10 June 2002
Bee Orchid
As can be seen in this photo, flower shapes can vary, even on the same plant. The plant on the right bears two different flowers, which are shown in more detail in the two preceding pictures. 10 June 2002
Bee Orchid
Not only the flower shape can vary, but also the colour. These white plants were photographed on the Isle of White at Garston Down.
Butterfly Orchids - Greater
This is a tall & sturdy orchid, reaching up to 24". It grows mainly on chalk, both grassy & woodland habitats.
This photo was taken at Martin Down (Hampshire part!)on 4 June 2000.
Butterfly Orchids - Greater
This one was photographed at Martin Down on 10 June 2001
Butterfly Orchids - Greater
and this one was at Yew Hill on 10 June 2002. This photo clearly shows how the 'column' is bell-shaped and gets progressively wider (compare with lesser butterfly orchid below).
Butterfly Orchids - Lesser
This is smaller and more delicate than the Greater and grows on more acid soils on heaths, among heather and bracken. This photo was taken by Wilverley Woods in the New Forest on 10 June 2002.
Butterfly Orchids - Lesser
This is a close-up of the above plant.
Butterfly Orchids - Lesser
In this photo you can see that the column is narrow and the sides are narrow...a diagnostic identification for the 'lesser'. It was taken again at Wilverley on 28 June 2003.
Early Purple Orchid
This is one of Britains earliest flowering orchids, usually the first to flower in Hampshire. It is widespread & grows mainly on chalk downland and woods. This photo was taken in Whiteley Woods on 8 May 2001.
Early Purple Orchid
This one was taken in Sowley Brooms in the New Forest on 3 May 2002. It can be seen in a wide range of colours.
Fly Orchid
So named because it resembles a fly perched on a green leaf. It grows on chalk grasslands and woodlands. This photo was taken at Old Burghclere Lime Pits on 14 May 2002.
Fly Orchid
This photo was taken at Galley Down on 20 May 2001.
Fly Orchid
This photo shows a rare aberration, which was taken at Echinswell on 15 May 2003.
Fly Orchid
This is a close-up of the above flower.
Fly Orchid
and this is another unusual, very wide-bodied, flower at the same site as the above.
Fragrant Orchid
This is a delicate, perfumed orchid, 8" to 12" tall. It varies in colour from deep pink to white, and can be seen in vast numbers on chalk downs. This photo was taken at Broughton Down on 11 June 2001.
Fragrant Orchid
Taken the same day as the one above, this shows a paler pink flower.
Fragrant Orchid
...and another, this is nearly white.
Fragrant Orchid - Marsh
This is a larger plant than the Fragrant, with longer, darker, flower spike. This was taken at Mapledurwell Fen, near Basingstoke on 24 July 2001.
Fragrant Orchid - Marsh
Close-up view of above.
Fragrant Orchid - Northern
This usually grows in Northern England in wet, boggy grassland. This photo was taken in the New Forest at Tiptoe on 1 July 2003.
Fragrant Orchid - Northern
A closer view of the above.
Frog Orchid
This is a small (2"-6"), inconspicuous orchid which grows in short, chalk, grassland. It is more common in Northern Britain. This photo was taken at Broughton Down on 20 July 2001.
Frog Orchid
This photo was taken at Noar Hill on 11 July 2003.
Frog Orchid
Also taken on 11 July 2003. The flower on the right demonstrates how the plant got its name...it is supposed to look like a leaping frog, with its legs trailing!!!
Green-winged Orchid
This grows in grassland, and varies in height from 2" to 12". It is smaller than the Early Purple (above), with unspotted leaves. This photo was taken at Martin Down on 9 May 2003.
Green-winged Orchid
It can be seen in a wide range of colours from deep mauve to pale pink. It always has green striping on the wings (sepals). This photo was taken in the Glebe Field at Curdridge on 16 May 2003.
Green-winged Orchid
Also taken at the Glebe Field on 20 May 2001.
Green-flowered Helleborine
Also known as the Drooping, or Pendulous-flowered Helleborine. This photo shows how it gets its name and was taken at Eelmoor Marsh, Farnborough on 24 July 2003.
Green-flowered Helleborine
It grows from 6" to 18" in deciduous woods and hedgerows on damp, base-rich soils. This photo was taken at the same time as the above.
Green-flowered Helleborine
This photo was taken near Bullington Cross (off the A343) on 3 August 2001.
Early Marsh Orchid
This orchid has the widest range of colours of any British orchid, from white to bright magenta. Its height is from 12" to 15".
Early Marsh Orchid
There is a whole family of marsh orchids (see some more later in this presentation), and hybridisation between them is common. All four photos of the early marsh were taken in the New Forest at Marchwood on 13 June 2001.
Early Marsh Orchid
This is an example of a white speciman, which is quite common at this site.
Early Marsh Orchid
This is a close-up of the same plant.
Narrow-leaved Marsh Orchid
This orchid differs from the other marsh orchids by having narrow, sword-like leaves. This photograph was taken at Mapledurwell Fen, near Basingstoke on 24 July 2001.
Narrow-leaved Marsh Orchid
This close-up was taken at the same site. Note the Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus barteatus) on the flower.
Southern Marsh Orchid
Also known as the Common Marsh Orchid, it is larger and more robust than the other marsh orchids. It has broad, dark green, unspotted leaves and spikes of large rose, magenta or pale magenta flowers. This photo was taken on 5 July 2002.
Southern Marsh Orchid
This, and the next photo, were taken at Holmsley on 10 June 2002.
Southern Marsh Orchid
10 June 2002.
Marsh Helleborine
In my opinion this is the lovliest of the helleborines, growing from 9" to 18" in marshy or wet places in longish grass or light scrub. This photo was taken at Mapledurwell Fen near Basingstoke on 24 July 2001.
Marsh Helleborine
It reproduces by means of creeping rhizomes, so a single plant can cover a wide area in flowers. This photo was taken at Tiptoe in the New Forest on 16 July 2001.
Marsh Helleborine
Mapledurwell fen again on 24 July 2001.
Marsh Helleborine
Tiptoe again, 16 July 2001.
Musk Orchid
This is a small (2"-6") orchid, which grows in its many thousand at Noar Hill. The petals and sepals do not spread out, so it is a fairly undistinguished plant.
Musk Orchid
All three of the photos of this orchid were taken at Noar Hill, Selbourne on 12 July 2001
Musk Orchid
Can also be seen at Ham Hill in Berkshire
Narrow-leaved Helleborine
This is the first of the helleborines to flower, and its main stronghold in Hampshire is Chappetts Copse. This photo was taken on 12 May 2000.
Narrow-leaved Helleborine
It is also known as the sword-leaved helleborine. This on was taken at Chappetts Copse on 20 May 2001.
Narrow-leaved Helleborine
Chappetts Copse again, 16 May 2003.
Pyramidal Orchid
This can grow up to 24" tall, but is usually 12"-18". In its early stages it is a distinct pyramid shape, and is usually a clear pink...but see exceptions below! Photo 7 July 2000 at Noar Hill.
Pyramidal Orchid
It is widespread on limy soils and is a characteristic plant of chalk downland, in open grass or light shade. Photo from Broughton Down 16 June 2000
Pyramidal Orchid
Noar Hill again, 12 July 2001.
Pyramidal Orchid
This is a very unusual aberration, and was photographed at Magdalen Hill Down, Winchester on 10 July 2002.
Pyramidal Orchid
Close-up of above plant.
Pyramidal Orchid
As hinted above, there are rare exceptions to the usual pink colouring. This white one was photographed in Somerset (I have not yet seen similar in Hampshire!).
Pyramidal Orchid
Close-up of the above plant.
Red Helleborine
This is a very rare plant, and we are lucky to have a site in Hampshire. All photos were taken at Hawkley Warren, this on on 29 June 2003.
Red Helleborine
They grow from 8" to 15" tall. This photo was taken on 11 July 2003.
Red Helleborine
11 July 2003 again!
Red Helleborine
...and 29 June 2003 again.
Heath Spotted Orchid
This orchid grows on heaths and moorlands and is very common in the New Forest, in dry, and reasonably damp habitats. It grows from 8" to 18" tall. Photo New Forest, Holmsley 10 June 2002.
Heath Spotted Orchid
It can be distinguished from the common spotted orchid by the shape of its lip, which is very broad, with all three lobes more or less level, and only small indentations between them. Photo Marchwood area of the New Forest 13 June 2001.
Heath Spotted Orchid
Where found, it usually appears in large numbers. Another Holmsley photo, this time 28 June 2003.
Heath Spotted Orchid
An example of a white plant taken in the New Forest at Tiptoe on 20 June 2002.
Heath Spotted Orchid
Close-up of the above plant.
Heath Spotted Orchid
This is another example of aberrations in orchids. Despite its appearance, this is a heath spotted. It lacks any colouring and is mishapen. Holmsley again, 28 June 2003.
Heath Spotted Orchid
Close-up view of the above plant.
Common Twayblade
This is one of the commonest and widespread of orchids and grows to 15" to 18". This photo was taken at Echinswell on 15 May 2003.
Common Twayblade
It is more common on limy soils, but can be found on all soil types, both in the open and in the shade. Photo Exton Lane 20 May 2001.
Common Twayblade
It is quite common on Martin Down, but in recent years the flower heads have been eaten off (presumably by sheep). This photo was taken in Old Burghclere Lime Pits on 14 May 2002.
Violet Helleborine
This is one of the last helleborines to flower. It grows 12" to 24" tall in highly shaded areas of beech and hazel. Photo at Old Railway Line, Funtley 8 August 2001.
Violet Helleborine
The stems are greenish/purple and frequently clustered. Photo again at Funtley on 8 August 2001.
Violet Helleborine
The flower has yellowish/green sepals & petals and a pale green lip with pinkish/purple tinting. Funtley again, this time 3 August 2003.
White Helleborine
This is quite similar to the narrow-leaved helleborine shown earlier in this list, but has broad leaves and grows under beech trees. This photo was taken at Old Burghclere Lime Pits on 14 May 2002.
White Helleborine
Where it is found, there are often fly and birdsnest orchids also in bloom. It grows from 6" to 15" tall. This photo was taken at Echinswell on 24 May 2003.
White Helleborine
This photo shows the flower nearly fully open. Most often the flowers barely open at all. This photo again at Echinswell, but Galley Down near Bishops Waltham is a very prolific site.
All pictures
© Peter Burford