2011-11-02 10:59
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Scientific Name:
Platanthera chlorantha
A distinctive orchid of hay meadows, open scrub and grassland, it is as often found in ancient woodlands as in grasslands, especially along rides and in clearings and along woodland edges. It also grows on chalk.
How to identify:
Has a single spike up to 60cm tall with significant number of whitish to yellow or green flowers, each with spreading sepals and petals. The lowest petal of each is long, narrow, yellowish green and undivided. Has large pair of broad, shiny, elliptical [and spotless] basal leaves. May be cofused with lesser butterfly orchid - examine the pollinia [mass of pollen] . Greater has 2 narrow yellowish green strips side by side just below the hood, 3--4 mm long, about 1.3mm apart at their tips and 4mm at their base. Lesser are closer together and parallel.
Where to find it:
Old hay meadows and other unimproved grasslands.
How people can help:
Old hay meadows and unimproved grasslands are under threat and the UK has lost over 97% of its unimproved hay meadows. The Wildlife Trusts own and manage many such reserves and promote sympathetic management with private landowners and organisations to protect and expand other such sites. By joining your local Wildlife Trust you can help them to continue this work.
Statistics:
25 -- 60 cms tall. Flowers 1.5 --3 cm across
Did you know?:
The flowers have night scent and are pollinated by noctuid moths. The name 'Platanthera' is derived from the Greek meaning broad anthers while the species name 'Chlorantha' means green-flowered.
Seasons:
Summer
Image:
