Chaumussay Orchids in Late May

The early species like Early Spiders, Early Purples, Monkeys and Ladies have finished. Now it's the turn of Fragrants, Lizards, Helleborines, Bees and Pyramidals. The Twayblades power on through from beginning to end.

Chaumussay, just down river from Preuilly, is a known orchid hotspot, so the other day London Bruno and I went out to check on them and see how the season is developing.

Pyramidal Orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis (Fr. Orchis pyramidal), left unmowed in this orchard (as were the Lizard Orchids, which I forgot to photograph).

Red Helleborine Cephalanthera rubra (Fr. Céphalanthère rouge).

Short-spurred Fragrant Orchid Gymnadenia odoratissima (Fr. Gymnadenie odorante).

Common Twayblade Neottia ovata (Fr. Grande Listère).

Bee Orchid Ophrys apifera (Fr. Ophrys abeille), taken in the garden of my friend Marc, where we called in for an aperitif of sparkling Vouvray and his homemade lemon tarts (he's a retired chef).

Me photographing a fragrant orchid, taken by Bruno.

Photograph courtesy of Bruno Bernard-Brault.

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