Hebridean Spotted Orchid - Western Isles - Wild Flowers - Wildflowers & Flora of The Isle of Harris and The Isle of Lewis - Hebrides Flowers The hebridean spotted orchid grows on the machairs or dunes that are near to the sea - or even the damp meadows near the sea. The hebridean spotted orchid is specific to the western isles.
Western Isles Wildflowers - Wild flowers of The Hebrides
Hebridean Spotted Orchid -Dactylorhiza fuchii subsp. hebridensis
Ghioradail - Tolsta - Isle of Lewis
Specific To The Western Isles
This lovely orchid - the hebridean orchid is specific to the western isles. This pretty wild flower just grows wild usually on machairs or dunes or damp meadows that are near to the sea. The shells that are broken up in the sand have served to prepare the ground for this pretty wildflower.
The Hebridean Orchid likes Sandy Lime Soil
The Hebridean-spotted orchid likes sandy lime soil, if you are on sandy machair soil looking at a pale pinkish orchid and there are no tormentil growing within the same area, you are probably looking at a hebridean spotted-orchid. (or a hybrid species that has some Hebridean spotted-orchid in it).
Some "Orchidologists" - (if that's what you call orchid experts) argue that this orchid is just a variety of the common orchid - some say its a sub species and some say it is a specific species in its own right - whichever it is - its just jolly pretty!
These wildflowers are 10cm to 25cm tall - very delicate looking. This orchid is generally thought to be a low-growing form of the much more widespread Common spotted-orchid (which doesn't occur here in The Hebrides . This lovely spotted orchid is perhaps the most striking of all the spotted-orchids, when in its big, showy, deep magenta flowers.
Here in The Western Isles there are two species of orchids which are pale pink - The Heath Spotted Orchid and the Hebridean Spotted orchid
Centre Toothed Petal With Long Point
The centre toothed bit of the lower petal on the florets is quite long in the Hebridean Spotted Orchid - whilst its much shorter in the Heath Spotted Orchid
Protected by Law
All wild orchids are protected by law If You remove or disturb the ground - you can be fined or imprisoned - or both.
If you are wanting to move them you need to get a licence from the local council.
Hybridisation It is quite common here in The Western Isles that the Hebridean Spotted Orchid might cross with the Heath Spotted Orchid, hybridisation often occurs and some really lovely wildflowers result.
The Hebridean Spotted Orchid showing the Long Centre Toothed part of the petal
(Click Image for Larger Pictures)
ORCHIDS OF THE WESTERN ISLES - HEBRIDEAN SPOTTED ORCHIDS
Western Isles Wildflowers - Flora & Flowers of The Outer Hebrides - Hebridean Wild Flowers - Orchids
This section of the website details the flowers that I have seen todate.
Should I have identified any of the wildflowers incorrectly or given information that isn't correct - All comments welcome Chris@GcwWeb.com
