My first trip of the year to the former chemical site near Bolton that is now designated as an SSSI on account of its unusual profusion of orchids. Today there was a real range of different species on show. First up the Marsh Helleborines were in flower although some were starting to go over a little. I also found a single Common Spotted Orchid var. rhodochila (in amongst the regular CSOs) which was a first for me. This var. is hyperchromatic and has an unusual concentration of the pink colour of the petals. There were also a few very impressive Southern Marsh Orchids and a single tall Bee Orchid. As always there were plenty of Marsh Fragrant Orchids and I also found at least one hybrid Common Spotted x Marsh Fragrant Orchid. To top it all a few Early Marsh Orchids var. incarnata!
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| Marsh Helleborine |
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| Marsh Helleborine |
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| Bee Orchid |
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| Common Spotted Orchid |
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| Common Spotted Orchid |
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| Common Spotted Orchid |
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| Common Spotted Orchid |
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| Common Spotted Orchid |
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| Common Spotted Orchid var. rhodochila |
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| Common Spotted Orchid var. rhodochila |
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| Common Spotted Orchid var. rhodochila |
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| Common Spotted x Marsh Fragrant Orchid |
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| Common Spotted x Marsh Fragrant Orchid |
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| Common Twayblade |
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| Early Marsh Orchid var. incarnata |
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| Early Marsh Orchid var. incarnata |
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| Marsh Fragrant Orchid |
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| Marsh Fragrant Orchid |
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| Marsh Fragrant Orchid |
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| Marsh Fragrant Orchid |
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| Southern Marsh Orchid |
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| Southern Marsh Orchid |