The first day after the Covid19 lockdown eased the weather was awful and nobody went anywhere. The next day was much better, overcast but not extremely wet or windy. I took the opportunity on my way to the supermarket to check on a roadside colony of orchids at Humeau, a bit further down the Claise from us.
Pyramidal Orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis (Fr. Orchis pyramidal).
White Helleborine Cephalanthera damasonium (Fr. Céphalanthère blanche).
Lady's Bedstraw Galium verum (Fr. Gaillet jaune).
Tassle Hyacinth Leopoldia comomsa (Fr. Muscari à toupet).
A very vividly coloured and striking looking plant, that I get requests to identify every year from members of the public who've spotted it on a roadside near them and are amazed, and sure they've never seen it before.
Common Twayblade Neottia ovata (Fr. Listère ovale).
Monkey Orchid Orchis simia (Fr. Orchis singe).
Bath Asparagus Ornithogalum pyrenaicum (Fr. Ornithogale des Pyrénées).
Not closely related to asparagus, but for a couple of weeks at this time of year it can sometimes be found in the market sold as Asperges des bois ('wood asparagus'). Personally I've never found enough of it to feel comfortable about foraging for it, and, having tasted it, don't think it's worth bothering.
Hoary Plantain Plantago media (Fr. Plantain moyen).
Greater Butterfly Orchid Platanthera chlorantha (Fr. Platanthère verdâtre).
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8 comments:
Although I feel certain you've answered this question before, I'll ask again. Do wild orchids need to die off naturally, including their leaves, in order to spread? Also do they go to seed and recreate that way? Kind of sickening to think of those beauties just being mowed down, but perhaps it's necessary sometimes.
By mowing them off they are not being given a chance to fully build up a bulb for next year because without a full leaf rosette they are not sending the full amount of nutrients to storage in the bulb. Most orchids will self-seed very effectively if allowed to do so, but their seed takes a long time to mature and they are often mowed off before it is mature.
We went up the Crags yesterday to look for Fly Orchids as our local 'you' had pictured one on his facebook page. No look in spotting one though but it is a vast area.
Lovely
I got a couple of Fly Orchids closer to Chaumussay a few days ago, but they are nearly finished here, and not easy to spot at the best of times.
Thank you.
Interesting post. Thanks Susan. Cheers, stay safe, Diane
I imagine you've got a similar mix down your way.
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