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Green-winged Orchid

©Mark Hamblin/2020VISION

Green-winged Orchid

©Mark Hamblin/2020VISION

Green-winged Orchid (white form)

©Guy Edwardes/2020VISION

Green-winged orchid

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Enw gwyddonol: Anacamptis morio
A short, but pretty plant of unimproved grasslands, the Green-winged orchid gets its name from the green veins in the 'hood' of its flowers. Look for it in May and June.

Top facts

Stats

Height: 7-15cm

Conservation status

Classified as Near Threatened on the Vascular Plant Red Data List for Great Britain.

Pryd i'w gweld

May to June

Ynghylch

The Green-winged orchid is a short orchid of unimproved grasslands, mainly on chalky soils, although it can be spotted on banks, village greens and even in churchyards. It flowers in May or June; the flower spike carries a cluster of pinky-purple flowers (sometimes white) that give this orchid its name - the hood formed by the sepals is lined with green veins. Green-winged orchids are pollinated by bumblebees.

What to look for

The three-lobed, pink or purple flowers of the Green-winged orchid cluster around a single spike. The 'hood' of the flowers is formed by the sepals and is lined with green veins. The leaves are narrow and pointed, and do not have spots.

Where to find

Widespread in England and Wales.

Roeddech chi yn gwybod?

Orchids seeds do not contain enough energy in the form of food reserves to germinate on their own and have to form a partnership with mycorrhizal fungus to grow. The loss of these fungi through cultivation or application of artificial fertilisers and herbicides explains why these orchids are generally only found in unimproved grasslands.