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Common Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii)

As its name suggests, this is one of our commonest of orchids, and also one of the most widespread, being present throughout the British Isles, except for parts of the far southwest of England, the far north of Scotland and the northern isles where it is patchy in occurrence. Although it is commonest on alkaline and neutral soils, it will tolerate slightly acidic conditions. In more acidic areas it is largely replaced by its close relative the Heath Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza maculata), hence the patchy distribution in the areas mentioned above. It is also happy in a wide range of habitats, such as short grass, areas of longer grass and scrub, woodland, dunes and roadsides. The number of flowers in a particular site can be large.

Also as its name suggests, the leaves are heavily spotted. The flowers are always a shade of pink, but this can range from almost white through to quite a dark shade.

This photo, taken on the Burford Spur of Box Hill, shows an example of "typical" mid pink colouring. For a closer view of the flower spike, see TQ1751 : Common Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii) and for a close up of an individual flower see TQ1751 : Common Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii). For a near white example see TQ1751 : Common Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii) and TQ1751 : Common Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii).