Here are images of the wild orchids of Wales. There are larger pictures and close-ups of the flowers in the First Nature guide to Wild Orchids in Wales - more details... View sample pages and contents list...
Dozens more wild orchids of Britain and Europe are featured in the First Nature Wildflower Guide...
English Name |
Latin Name |
Site Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn Lady's Tresses | Spiranthes spiralis | Kenfig National Nature Reserve |
| Bee Orchid | Ophrys apifera | Coastal dune slacks, roadside verges and Kenfig National Nature Reserve |
| Bird's-nest Orchid | Neottia nidus-avis | Cwm Clydach National Nature Reserve |
| Bog Orchid | Hammarbya paludosa | Claerwen National Nature Reserve |
| Broad-leaved Helleborine | Epipactis helleborine | Kenfig and Newborough Warren National Nature Reserves |
| Common Spotted-orchid | Dactylorhiza fuschii | Common throughout Wales and in many coastal NNRs - Kenfig, Dyfi |
| Common Twayblade | Neottia ovata | Common throughout Wales and in many coastal NNRs - Kenfig, Dyfi |
| Dark-red Helleborine | Epipactis atrorubens | The Great Orme National Nature Reserve |
| Dune Helleborine | Epipactis dunensis | Newborough Warren National Nature Reserve |
| Early Marsh-orchid | Dactylorhiza incarnata | Coastal nature reserves - Kenfig, Dyfi, Newborough Warren |
| Early Purple-orchid | Orchis mascula | Common on roadside verges throughout Wales and also in coastal nature reserves - Kenfig |
| Epipactis neerlandica | Epipactis neerlandica | Kenfig National Nature Reserve |
| Fen Orchid | Liparis loeselii | Kenfig National Nature Reserve |
| Fly Orchid | Ophrys insectifera | Anglesey Fens National Nature Reserves |
| Fragrant Orchid | Gymnadenia conopsea | Kenfig, Anglesey Fens National Nature Reserves |
| Frog Orchid | Dactylorhiza viridis | Occasionally found at Minera Quarry near Wrexham and Anglesey |
| Greater Butterfly Orchid | Platanthera chlorantha | Cae Blaen Dyffryn Nature Reserve near Lampeter |
| Green-flowered Helleborine | Epipactis phyllanthes | Kenfig National Nature Reserve Morfa Dyffryn |
| Green-winged Orchid | Anacamptis morio | Kenfig National Nature Reserve |
| Heath Spotted-orchid | Dactylorhiza maculata | Common throughout the uplands and wetlands nature reserves throughout Wales - Claerwen National Nature Reserve |
| Lesser Butterfly Orchid | Platanthera bifolia | Cae Blaen Dyffryn Nature Reserve near Lampeter |
| Lesser Twayblade | Neottia cordata | Y Berwyn National Nature Reserve |
| Marsh Helleborine | Epipactis palustris | Kenfig and Newborough National Nature Reserves |
| Northern Marsh-orchid | Dactylorhiza purpurella | Newborough Warren, Dyfi , Morfa Dyffryn |
| Pyramidal Orchid | Anacamptis pyramidalis | Kenfig, Dyfi, Newborough Warren National Nature Reserves |
| Small-white Orchid | Pseudorchis albida | Apply to Brecknock Wildlife Trust |
| Southern Marsh-orchid | Dactylorhiza praetermissa | Kenfig National Nature Reserve |
More information on the nature reserves of Wales...
Wild orchids face many threats to their survival, not least from the unknown impacts that climate change may have on them. Whilst we may already be powerless to prevent the effects that global warming will have on our wildflowers there are many other threats that we do know about, and can reduce some of these by supporting the various bodies whose role it is to protect our environment and care for the species that depend on sympathetic management of our countryside.
Of the many problems facing our wildflower populations, habitat destruction is surely the most serious. So many hedgerows have been removed, ponds filled in and boggy areas drained that it is a wonder more orchid species have not been lost. Intensive agriculture has resulted in ancient wildflower meadows being ploughed and re-seeded with high-yield rye grass that requires regular large doses of fertiliser. Frequent spraying with selective herbicides may spare arable crops the need to compete with our native wildflowers, but the side effects are significant: our native orchids and other indigenous species are soon crowded out by more vigorous plants that thrive on such high-input regimes. Recent moves by many countries to grow crops that can be used to make fuel for cars can only serve to make the situation worse.
In Wales we are fortunate in having many local and national nature reserves to which the general public has access, and it is of critical importance that we, who benefit from these special areas, support the conservation agencies in their efforts on our behalf to protect and preserve the species that live there. The Countyside Council for Wales (CCW) (www.ccw.gov.uk) is our national wildlife conservation authority and the Welsh Assembly Government's statutory adviser on sustaining natural beauty, wildlife and the opportunity for outdoor enjoyment in Wales. Part of CCW's remit is to ensure the survival of species and their habitats on National Nature Reserves and SSSIs (Sites of Special Scientific Interest). Some SSSIs are on private land without the right of general access. In order to carry out this vital role the conservation agenciesrequire proper funding to pay for the professionals who guide the efforts of volunteers in the work needed on the reserves. CCW is currently facing budget cuts that could worsen in the current unfavourable economic climate, so we must fight to keep the environment high on the government's agenda.
We are also fortunate to have a strong Wildlife Trust movement in Wales, and their wardens and volunteers, sometimes working with CCW staff, protect our nature reserves and wildlife habitats. They too are dependent on our support, both financial and in terms of volunteer effort, in order to continue their important work.
Other organisations in Wales who contribute to the protection of our orchid sites and reserves are Plantlife (www.plantlife.org.uk); the National Trust (www.nationaltrust.org.uk), which owns more than 100,000 acres of countryside in Wales including may sites of wildflower interest; and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (www.rspb.org.uk) which has twelve reserves in Wales protecting wildlflowers as well as birds.
Ultimately, however, our countryside in Wales and the species that inhabit it, along with the organisations that work directly to protect them, are dependent upon us for their survival. Their success is dependent on the level of importance we accord to having a thriving natural environment, both for our own enjoyment and the benefit of the plants and animals that live there.
Wildflower Slideshow
Sue Parker's beautifully illustrated guide to Wild Orchids in Wales is available here for
just £4-95 + P&P
Wild Orchids in the Algarve - indispensable companion if you intend visiting southern Portugal. £6-50 + P&P Details...
Best wildflower sites in Wales...
