Orchids can sometimes be a bit tricky to identify for certain but the pyramidal orchid is quite distinctive because of its 'pyramidal' shape after which it is named. It is also one of the most common orchids on our grasslands and downlands and they quite numerous at Durlston and other locations along the sea cliffs and the Purbeck Ridge. They are not confined to calcareous soils, however, and they can turn up almost anywhere including roadsides and other artificial environments where soil has been moved or perhaps imported. They require a specific fungus to be present in the soil before they will flower!
The tight cluster of pink/purple (and occasionally white) flowers form a definite conical shape as the lower flowers in the head open before the upper ones. They have a single slender stem without leaves, the leaves can be found as a rosette at the base down in the grass. They flower from late June until mid August; these lovely flowers are welcome addition to our summer flora in Dorset.
Comments
Post a Comment