Fragrant & Marsh Helleborine, Waitby
FRAGRANT ORCHIDS
IN CUMBRIA

Recent genetic research has shown that the three types of Fragrant Orchid found in the UK are sufficiently different to warrant being treated as separate species - Common, Heath and Marsh Orchids. All three species occur in Cumbria, but declines have occurred in the west of the county - the stronghold of the species in the south-east. Although their distribution is not well understood at the present time (as separate records were not often kept), it appears that the Heath Fragrant orchid is very scarce in the county. They are most easily distinguished by lip shape, lateral sepal shape, habitat and flowering time, although care is needed as there are always specimens that are borderline or, where two or more of the three species occur together, hybrids of intermediate character. The CWT reserve at Waitby Greenriggs, for example, holds all three species. The following is a brief guide only:



COMMON FRAGRANT
 G. conopsea

  • Lip about as wide as long, central lobe longest.
  • Lateral sepals parallel-sided and pointed, held at 30' to horizontal.
  • Flowers early June onwards.
  • Dry grassland, quarries, railway sides.

HEATH FRAGRANT
G.borealis

  • Lip longer than wide.
  • Lateral sepals shorter, oval and pointed.
  • Flowers June/July.
  • Hill pasture, grassy moorland.

MARSH FRAGRANT
G. densiflora

  • Lip wider than long, markedly shouldered.
  • Lateral sepals longer, parallel-sided, blunt at tip and held horizontally.
  • Flowers later, mid-July onwards.
  • Damp places, alkaline flushes, often with Marsh Helleborine.

Common Fragrant
Orchid
20th June
Heath Fragrant Orchid
22nd June
Marsh Fragrant Orchid
scarce white variety.
15th July

 

 

 

 

LINKS TO PAGES

DOWNY EMERALD DRAGONFLY
SWALLOWS
TERNS
TREE PIPITS
TREE SPARROWS