The Orchid Squad
Greetings! I have orchids on my mind for this LymeLight. I can’t say I’ve ever thought much about them. There are those slightly boring, slightly alien things you get in M&S as a present for someone you don’t know very well. Then there are the ones that people talk about but don’t tell you quite where they are, as if somehow, they are responsible for the orchids’ safety and you’re intruding on a secret you don’t deserve to know. Probably the only thing I could have told you is that orchids have some kind of strange biology whereby they live symbiotically with a fungus. Indeed, a quick look online tells me that orchids have a symbiotic relationship with mycorrhizal fungi with the fungus providing nutrients and receiving carbohydrates from photosynthesis to the fungus. The relationship is crucial to the orchids’ lifecycle, with specific fungal species associated with different orchid species.
And then earlier in the summer, suddenly there they were —— out on my favourite place, the Undercliff in Lyme Regis.
First to show were the creamy white Marsh Helleborines. (below left) These were quickly followed by the Early Purple Orchid, also seen in the National Trust fields below Ware Lane where a few brave early purples poked their heads above the grass. (below right) These orchids (Orchis Mascula), are among the most widespread orchids in the area, appearing as early as April in woodlands and grasslands, their spikes of purple flowers lighting up the forest floor. Hopefully, the ones in the field were able to set seed before the field was mown. I’ve seen both these species in the area over the past 2 years, but I’m pretty sure they were earlier and in greater numbers than I’ve seen before. I’m speculating that the early wet weather followed by lots of sun has made it a good year for these two.
Next up were the Pyramidal Orchids (below left) which also seem to be doing well this year – at least on the Undercliff.. This orchid (Anacamptis Pyramidalis), with its neat, conical clusters of deep pink flowers, is another highlight.
Also on the Undercliff, a fourth, and more exotic orchid species was spotted, the spectacular Bee Orchid (Ophrys Apifera). (below right) The bee orchid’s blooms are a delight for those lucky enough to spot them. Described as a ‘sneaky mimic’ by one website, it is incredible in its resemblance to an actual bee. Apparently, the bee species that the plant is trying to trick into pollinating it doesn’t actually live in the UK, so our bee orchids are self-pollinating, which I find incredible. Unfortunately, I only found two examples this year, which is way down on last year’s tally.
As I said, I’m no orchid expert. Indeed, I hadn’t paid them much attention until I moved down here and started to see them around. But there’s something a bit magical about them that draws you in. Perhaps it’s the unassuming nature of the plant – until you look more closely. Maybe it’s their complicated lifecycle or just the fact that they are quite rare and therefore precious. Whatever it is, I’m delighted to see them when they appear. I’m also more than happy to point them out to other people. I’ve chatted with several people who are really happy to see them and grateful for having them pointed out. I just hope I never have the experience a friend told me of, where he had to point out to a young woman that the armful of pretty flowers she’d picked were almost the entire crop of extremely rare orchids that bloomed in just a couple of small places in Scotland.
So if you do see orchids, enjoy them, photograph them, but leave them where they are!
Until next time, Mark.
