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Bee Orchid © Andy Karran


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Southern Marsh Orchid © Andy Karran


Fragrant Orchid © Andy Karran Common Spotted Orchid © Andy Karran


FLOWERING BEAUTIES… AN OVERVIEW OF


THE REGION’S ORCHIDS By Gwent Wildlife Trust Senior Conservation Ecologist Andy Karran


The border counties of South-east Wales and England are home to a huge diversity of plants and animals, ranging from the common to the rare, and the plain to the gaudy. There is however one group of flora that particularly seems to excite and intrigue, as they have the kudos of being both rare and very attractive: these are orchids.


Within my role at Gwent Wildlife Trust I visit local wildlife sites and, on many occasions, the first thing I’m often told by people with great pride, is how orchids are flourishing or I’m asked ‘how do I encourage orchids’, if fields do not have them? So, I thought this guide to orchids would make an interesting read for many of you.


There are 25,000 species of orchids world-wide but a more restricted flora of 56 species in the UK. This number is potentially going up though, with advances in DNA work and also more southerly species potentially getting a foothold in southern Britain as a result of Climate Change.


Not all of these occur in our region, however a good number do, so there are plenty for us to seek out and enjoy over the spring and summer, although very sadly some have become extinct! Some of the regions orchids, such as the Common Spotted Orchid are, as their name suggests relatively common and widespread but it is nevertheless worth bearing in mind that


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GWENT WI LDL I F E TRUST ORCHIDS


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