Pyramidal Orchids

By Charlie • June 16, 2006 • No comments yet

Pyramidal Orchids Anacamptis pyramidalis
UK, June 2005 and June-July 2006

Pyramidal Orchids are one of the most widespread and familiar members of the orchid family in the UK, mainly because they can be abundant on chalk downs, dune slacks, seaside golf links, cliff tops and on limestone pavements, and are often seen in large groups on roadside verges, abandoned quarries and even industrial wasteland (most of the photos belows were taken on a “protected verge” on the side of the A420 (a main road) close to where I live in Wiltshire. It is also persistent, and has been recorded from one downland site in Kent since 1871.

Most spikes carry a ‘pyramid’ of tightly-packed light- to mid-pink flowers (though according to WILDGuides’ British Orchids plants by the sea have much darker coloured flowers), but occasionally a single spike (or very small group of spikes) with all-white flowers are found.

Wiltshire, June 2006

pyramidal orchid
Wiltshire, June 2005

pyramidal orchid
Industrial estate, Wiltshire, June 2006

pyramidal orchid
Wiltshire, June 2006

pyramidal orchid
“White-flowered” plant, Rodborough Common, Gloucestershire, July 2006

pyramidal orchid
Two “white-flowered” plants on a protected roadside verge near Chippenham, Wiltshire, June 2006

• Tags: orchids, UK

• Have you seen the cool 10,000 Birds t-shirts? Get yours today! •

Explore These Related Posts

...Or These Blasts From The Past

About the Author

Charlie

Charlie works for an airline and has birded all over the world for twenty years. He wants to be a writer, and thinks no-one would believe his life could be so charmed if he didn't take photos of as many of the birds he sees as possible. Blogging with 10,000 Birds fits his aims, needs, and insecurities perfectly. Really - do birders get much more fortunate than this?