Anyone recognise this spectacular plant???

[Alteknacker]

Spotted this beauty on the way up Cairn Gorm.

Does anyone have any idea what it is???

[Lakeswalker]

Heath Spotted orchid I think.

[CharlesT]

Common Spotted Orchid, Dactylorhiza fuchsii, I believe.

[Mal Grey]

Certainly a spotted orchid, probably be common, but I'm not expert enough to tell if its heath.

[CharlesT]

Certainly a spotted orchid, probably be common, but I'm not expert enough to tell if its heath.

The Heath Spotted Orchid, Dactylorhiza maculata, is a close relative of D f, but paler. Both vary and it could be either. My reference work points me towards Common Spotted.

[earthdragon64]

This is Heath Spotted Orchid which prefers acid, peaty soils. Common Spotted is very rare in the uplands and I don't think it has been recorded in that area.

[Mal Grey]

This is Heath Spotted Orchid which prefers acid, peaty soils. Common Spotted is very rare in the uplands and I don't think it has been recorded in that area.

Interesting, thanks. I've seen a lot in the Highlands, but had always assumed they were common spotted.

This one was by the Dubh Loch in Fisherfield/Letterewe, would you say it is also Heath Spotted? There were dozens of them, and more at up to 400m on the slopes of A' Mhaighdean.

[earthdragon64]

Yes, also Heath Spotted, I've added a photo of a Common Spotted, if you look at the individual flowers, the lowest one is best, you'll see the lower petal has 3 quite separate and distinct triangular lobes. Whilst Heath Spotted also has 3 lobes, they aren't as distinct and are closer together, looking more frilly than Common Spotted does.

[Mal Grey]

Yes, also Heath Spotted, I've added a photo of a Common Spotted, if you look at the individual flowers, the lowest one is best, you'll see the lower petal has 3 quite separate and distinct triangular lobes. Whilst Heath Spotted also has 3 lobes, they aren't as distinct and are closer together, looking more frilly than Common Spotted does.

23 Common Spotted Orchid, Loch Imrich, Newtonmore 170721.JPG

Thank you. I knew vaguely about the lobes thing, but could never remember which way round it was, and my "app" only knows Heath spotted exists, so lumps them both together! I don't trust the app entirely (Flora Incognita), but it has taught me a lot about wild flowers over the various lock downs. I'm pretty sure all my local ones are Common, and have just been through a few photos; definitely distinct lobes. Thanks!

[Alteknacker]

To all respondents: thanks for the replies. I can only wish that any who have not yet seen this beauty do - I think it a thing of peculiar beauty (and my interest is generally birds!).

[Sgurr]

We used to have them in the rough ground that eventually became our garden again after the intermission of WW2. Cheshire, so I don't know which that makes it.

[EmmaKTunskeen]

To all respondents: thanks for the replies. I can only wish that any who have not yet seen this beauty do - I think it a thing of peculiar beauty (and my interest is generally birds!).

Beautiful specimen, A! It feels as though this year's been great for orchids - these heath spotted, which are growing tall like bottle brushes down here in the Galloway Hills - and all kinds of others.
I found a new one (to me) on the path to Suilven the other week, the lesser butterfly orchid:
012 Lesser butterfly orchid
(with apologies for a bit of a rubbish photo of it).

[Skyelines]

I took this one in my garden.

[EmmaKTunskeen]

I took this one in my garden.

Wow - beautiful!

[Mal Grey]

Had a bumper year in my favourite orchid reserve, and there were literally hundreds of butterfly orchids for a brief couple of weeks back in June. Stunning plants.