Which orchid please?

[Margaret]

We saw these orchids today on sea cliffs in SE Scotland. There are three plants growing together at the base of a primrose. Two plants have spots in the middle of the flower but the third was darker purple with no spots. The leaves are plain green.
Are they Early Purple Orchids?

In a different area we saw orchids growing in the footpath and being grazed by sheep. Amazingly they looked quite healthy!!

[Pauli]

I think it is Orchis mascula - do not know the English name!

[Maggi Young]

I think it is Orchis mascula - do not know the English name!

The English name is  Early Purple Orchid 

[Hoy]

In a different area we saw orchids growing in the footpath and being grazed by sheep. Amazingly they looked quite healthy!!

Then Scottish sheep do behave themselves more than Norwegian.
Once several acres of an island I know of (in fact where I spend much time in summer) were covered by early purple orchid (and cowslips as well) but the owner lent it to a farmer who let all his sheep go there grazing all the year. Now all the flowers have disappeared.

[Margaret]

Thank you Pauli and Maggi.

Very sad about the disappearance of your purple orchid flowers, Hoy. I'm surprised that a local naturalist group hasn't had a word with the land owner. These Scottish sheep here have a tough time on very steep slopes. The plants in my pic were not accessible to them (and only with difficulty to me) but I guess they have munched lots I didn't notice.

Margaret

[Catwheazle]

Picture 7265 seems to be an other orchid. I think dactylorhiza. probably majalis.

In the bud, leaves are already visible. Dactylorhiza has among the flowers well trained bracts.
Majalis I come to because of the size, the strong leaves and the location. majalis has indeed usually
spotted leaves, but there are also quite often without spots.

Bernd

[Maggi Young]

Picture 7265 seems to be an other orchid.

Yes, it does. Maybe Dact. purpurella

[Catwheazle]

  northern marsh orchid     I've never seen in nature.
At Allgaeu we "only" have majalis. Some experts say Dactylorhiza majalis subsp. purpurella 
Me are those things matter more.
The similarity seems very large, so i think, I did not get too much wrong :-)
in any case, a very pretty and impressive plant.
There are pictures with the flower?

greetings
Bernd

[Maggi Young]

There are pictures with the flower?

greetings
Bernd

Pictures of this pretty little orchid in our garden.....
http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2010May281275048030BULB_LOG__2110.pdf

[Catwheazle]

Great pictures. Corydalis pseudobarbisepala, Fritillaria camtschatensis     

@Maggi: thanks for the link.

Bernd
 

[Margaret]

Hi Bernd

I don't have any pics of the orchid bud when flowering but when we are next in the area (end of July) I will try and get one for you if it is not too late. There is the additional problem of it being on a well trod footpath - I hope nobody picks them!

Margaret

[Catwheazle]

Oh yes, I like! Maybe, if I disclose may wish me a little of the countryside
in the growing? I'm always very interested in the orchids are for the environment.
Maggi has so graciously already set a link to a picture of the plant .

Greetings from Allgaeu

Bernd