Hammarbya paludosa - Bog Orchid
The Bog orchid seldom grows taller than 12 cm and can
be as small as 3 cm making it extremely difficult to find
especially as it occurs alongside plants much taller than
itself.
At the base of the Bog orchid there are two to four
small leaves sheathing two swellings called pseudobulbs,
from which grows the flower spike. It occurs on mats of
Sphagnum moss and where there is a slow but continous
flow of water. They can also be found on seasonal runnels
and flushes and prefer acidic soils.
The Bog orchid occurs in scattered sites in England
and Wales but more frequently in Scotland. It also occurs
in Europe and has circumpolar distribution (Eurasia and
North America).
The specimen above was photographed in the Elan Valley
Estate in mid Wales at the beginning of August.
Wild Orchids in Wales
Dozens of wild orchid are featured in the First Nature Guide to
Locating and Identifying Wild Orchids in Wales
Wild Orchids in The Burren
Ireland's world-famous limestone pavement habitat
in County Clare is home to nearly every wild orchid found in Ireland.
A full colour guide to the Burren's orchids is now available
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