British Twayblade species
Common Twayblade orchid – Neottia ovata
This greenish yellow orchid was formerly known as Listera ovata. The colony I counted was in the low hundreds in rough grass in an open site. They were very hard to spot by the flowers alone due to the naturally camouflaged colouration. However I found the double large, fat egg-shaped leaves quite eye-catching once identified. I estimated the flower stem to be about 15cm.
Common Twayblade orchid leaves – Neottia ovata – Seaford Head – June 2021
Birds nest orchid – Neottia nidus-avis
This orchid lacks chlorophyll so has no need of any green colouration or leaves. It is found in woodland, especially beech, where the one below was photographed. The stems were light brown, almost metallic looking and about 15cm high. I didn’t get a good look at the flowers as it was still in bud when I visited.
I guess it might be confused with the Broomrapes, Orobanche but I think of those as browner, downier and sturdier to look at.
– Stockbridge – May 2021
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2021 was a particularly good year for orchids in my neck of the woods!
More about Orchids in general