Military Orchid - a photo on Flickriver

Military Orchid

            Military Orchids / orchis militaris. Homefield Wood, Buckinghamshire. 01/06/18.

'ANTHROPOMORPHISING AT ITS BEST!'

Rather a stately group of Military Orchids and in fine, fresh condition. I would guess that the three larger spikes were at least  40cms tall. 
Each of the flowers is likened to a small soldier complete with arms, short stumpy legs and rows of tunic buttons running up his chest. Three sepals above the 'body' hide the petals below and create the soldiers helmet. This is wider and rounded at the back and narrower, with points at the front. The exterior is noticeably paler - either white or a very delicate pink with few, if any, markings. By contrast, the interior of the helmet is darker with striking purple stripes. 
(When the image is viewed large, the contrasts show up more clearly.)

BEST VIEWED LARGE.
   

Taken on: June 1, 2018

Tags:

military orchid

orchis militaris

buckinghamshire

wildflower

orchid

extremely rare

3 x UK sites

inland

rural

calcareous substrate

woodland edges

meadows

sunny position

robust appearance

up to 60cms tall

2-5 glossy basal leaves

bright green leaves

up to 40 flowers per spike

pinkish-purple flowers

cylindrical inflorescence

3 x sepals form 'hood'

pale exterior

petals hidden under 'hood'

purple veined interior

'hood' likened to a helmet

long + pointed

turned up points at front

lip pale + elongated

like a human torso

distinct 'arms'

distinct short, stumpy 'legs'

central tufted purple spots

'tunic buttons'

like a small soldier

flowers stalks = ovaries

twisted ovaries

May-June

summer

hot = sunny

BBOWT reserve

SSSI status

field margin

group of 4 Military Orchids

contrast inside/outside hoods

low PoV

macro

bokeh « less

Sets appears in: • In Explore • Flora

Groups appears in: • Britain's Orchids • Wildlife Of Great Britain and Ireland. more » • Countryfile • Wildlife UK • BBC Springwatch (Official) • Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust • WILD BRITAIN. • Plantlife Bloomwatch: UK Wild flowers & other native flora • Wild life photography bokeh • Blumen, Blumen, Blumen ... Flower, Flower, Flower ... • in explore • Plants, Lichen and Fungi UK • British Wild Flowers through the seasons • British Isles Flora and Fauna • Birds and nature of the uk • British Wild Flower Group • Britain's Native Wildflowers « less

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