Unlike most orchids, the pyramidal orchid is becoming more common, and is spreading its range northwards as our climate warms. It is drought tolerant and likes to be in sun. It certainly seems at home in Colerne this year. Take look in the churchyard wildflower area, or along the Northern Lane in Thickwood where there has been an explosion of them beside the central path in Frank’s Wood.
The colour can vary from a deep to light pink, with an occasional white form. The typical pyramidal shape gives it its name, though they can become more rounded as they age. We can all identify with that!.
Orchid seeds are tiny and, lacking their own food store, rely on the presence of specific mycorrhizal fungi in the soil providing them with food for germination. The flower shape is adapted for pollination by insects with a long proboscis, mainly butterflies and moths. The day flying six spot burnet moth is especially attracted to these orchids, perhaps enticed by the scent which is described as “foxy” . Take a sniff and see what you think. Like many other orchids win this genus, pollination is by “deceipt” as this sneaky plant gives no nectar reward.
The lovely marbled white butterflies have just appeared this week. The last photo show a couple of them visiting one of the Frank’s Wood orchids.