New Forest Orchids – an introduction

	Heath Spotted-orchid

The New Forest is home to an impressive fifteen species of wild Orchids. Some of these Orchids can be found in really good numbers, whilst others are scarce and occur in few locations.

Many of the Orchids have conspicuous, extravagantly shaped flowers. The earliest bloom in April, whilst later species, such as Autumn Lady’s Tresses, flower at the end of September. June, though, is the peak flowering month when the largest number of Orchid species is likely to be seen, and also the most individual plants.

Life, though, is not simple in the strange, underground world of Orchids, for these plants depend for their existence on quickly establishing a relationship with soil-based fungi - Orchids have tiny seeds that contain no food reserves, so germination and early growth can only occur if seeds fall within reach of a fungal partner.

A small number of Orchids are completely parasitic, that is they depend entirely on the fungi for nutrients, and lack completely the chlorophyll necessary to photosynthesise. Other Orchids require most assistance during their early life stages, whilst many continue to require significant fungal assistance.

The Orchid-fungi relationship is often mutually beneficial, as in return for nutrients from the fungi, most of the Orchid species provide their fungal partners with sugars. The wholly parasitic Orchids, however, have not been shown to provide any reciprocal benefit to the fungi. 

Perhaps surprisingly, Orchid populations continue to be threatened by picking, despite it being illegal to uproot wild plants without the landowner’s permission, and despite the even greater protection enjoyed by some members of the orchid family. The best advice, of course, is to leave wild flowers alone for others to enjoy.

Many Orchids in the New Forest, though, face the additional problems posed by commoners’ stock, and deer, animals that will just as readily eat or trample a beautiful orchid as they will more humble plants.

Yet sufficient Orchids survive to brighten the New Forest scene, and cheer and intrigue casual walker, general naturalist and specialist orchidologist alike.

Look out for the following Orchid species, but beware, identification can sometimes be a challenge. The species pages here provide identification information, but considerably greater detail can be found in conventional wild flower guides – the best for Orchids is Britain's Orchids by David Lang, and its on-line version.

The New Forest Orchid species  

Heath Spotted-orchid (Dactylorhiza maculate)
Heath Spotted-orchids are abundant and widespread on the heaths.

Autumn Lady’s Tresses           (Spiranthes spiralis)
Common Spotted-orchid         (Dactylorhiza fuchsii)
Early Marsh-orchid                (Dactylorhiza incarnata sub-species pulchella)
Lesser Butterfly-orchid          (Platanthera bifolia)
Southern Marsh-orchid          (Dactylorhiza praetermissa)
The Orchid species listed above occur in reasonably good numbers and are fairly widespread, but have rather scattered, somewhat local populations that can sometimes take a bit of finding.

Bog Orchid                              (Malaxis paludosa)
The Bog Orchid probably just about qualifies as being widespread, but often occurs in relatively modest numbers, and always in very wet, inaccessible places where it’s unlikely to be seen other than by those specifically searching for a glimpse of its tiny blooms.

Bee Orchid                              (Ophrys apifera)
Birdsnest Orchid                     (Neottia nidus-avis)
Early Purple Orchid                (Orchis mascula)
Fragrant Orchid                      (Gymnadenia conopsea)
Green-winged Orchid (Orchis morio)
The Orchids shown above are all scarce, thinly spread, and often have extremely local distributions. They are, though, conspicuous, readily noticed plants.

Broad-leaved Helleborine      (Epipactis helleborine)
Common Twayblade                (Listera ovata)
Marsh Helleborine                 (Epipactis palustris)
These orchids are relatively inconspicuous. They, too, are scarce, thinly spread, and often have extremely local distributions.

References:
Collins New Generation Guide - Wild Flowers of Britain and Northern Europe: Alastair Fitter
Wild Orchids of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight: Martin N. Jenkinson
The Flora of Hampshire: Anne Brewis, Paul Bowman and Francis Rose
Britain's orchids: David Lang: http://www.britainsorchids.fieldguide.co.uk/?P=home&SHC=13&PSD=2