Marsh Orchids

Marsh Orchids are starting to show on the south coast. These Early Marsh and Southern Marsh were taken at Ferring Rife just a few miles from home.

Early Marsh Orchid  -  Dactylorhiza incarnata

Early Marsh Orchid  -  Dactylorhiza incarnata

Early Marsh Orchid  -  Dactylorhiza incarnata

Southern Marsh Orchid  -  Dactylorhiza praetermissa

Southern Marsh Orchid  -  Dactylorhiza praetermissa

Southern Marsh Orchid  -  Dactylorhiza praetermissa

It is perhaps worth saying, that some experts believe that most of what appear to be Southern Marsh Orchids on this site, are actually hybrids of the Common Spot and Early Marsh Orchid, both of which are present in smaller numbers along with the Southern Marsh Orchids. In practice variants  and hybridisation between D.fuchsii, D.praetermissa and D.incarnata make an accurate morphological assessment impossible, for someone with my level of skills.


It is early days but first impressions are that the number of orchids are down on previous years. There are plenty of rosettes around but the site is very dry and there seems to be a shortage of flower spikes. We may be in for a poor season. Lets hope I am proved wrong.