For a walk with nature in urban Cardiff and a chance to see the exotic Bee Orchid why not join the Orchid Walk run by Friends of Howardian Local Nature Reserve (LNR) on Saturday June 23rd 2.00pm – 4.00pm meeting at the David Lloyd entrance on Ipswich Road. The reserve has seven different Orchid species showing some of the diversity and variety to be found in native Orchids.
The Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera) is originally from the Mediterranean where it is pollinated by a native bee species. To attract the pollinating bees the plant has evolved flowers which look and smell like the female bee and males, in trying to mate with the flower, pick up pollen and transfer it to the next one they visit. In Britain we do not have the bee but fortunately the Bee Orchid is self-pollinating so even without it’s special bee pollinator it can still reproduce and thrive so that we can wonder and marvel at its unusual beauty.
Including the Bee Orchid the reserve hosts seven orchid species including the following:-
Common Spotted-orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii) and Southern Marsh-orchids (Dactylorhiza praetermissa) being from the same Orchid family often cross-pollinate giving rise to hybrid forms which produce a range of beautiful flower spikes in shades between the pale pink of the Common Spotted-orchid and the deep purple of the Southern Marsh-orchid.
Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis) has a spike with a pyramid of pink flowerets and reaches an average height of 10–25 centimetres (4–10 in) of height. The stem is erect and unbranched. The arrangement of flowers in a compact pyramidal shape is very distinctive and gives the orchid its common name. The colour of the flowers varies from pink to purple, or rarely white, and the scent is described as “foxy”. The flowering period extends from April through July.
Broad-leaved Heleborine (Epipactis helleborine) is a tall, dark orchid with leaves that spiral around the stem and purple-tinged, drooping flowers. It flowers from July to September and can be seen mainly in woodlands and scrub.
An unusual green flowered Orchid the Twayblade (Neottia ovata) is to be found on the Wildflower Heathland, these are called Twayblade referring to the single pair of leaves from which the single flower spike emerges with small and yellowish-green flowers. Flowering period May to July.
