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The Monkey Orchid (Orchis simia) is a smaller plant than the Military Orchid both in statue and general build of the individual flowers. It is most unusual for British orchids in that its flowers open from the top-down rather than the other way around - however, its dense, almost spherical flower head can often mask this trait.

Another very rare species, the Monkey Orchid is restricted to three sites, one on the Chiltern Downs in Buckinghamshire, the other two in Kent.

This shot illustrates the longer, thinner limbs of the flower and the more prominent 'tail' between its 'legs'.

The specimens of the two separated regions are quite different in appearance, the Buckinghamshire flowers being paler and the plants less robust. The Kent plants are more intense in colour and are more like their cousins in France. This has led to speculation that the Kent specimens are of a recent continental origin perhaps from seed blown across the English Channel.

Both photographs were taken at the 'open' Kent reserve at the end of May.

Lady Orchid

Locally common in Kent, the Lady Orchid (Orchis purpurea) can be found in quite dense woodland extending out into clearings. It can grow some two feet in height and the flower head may have up to 50 flowers.

On the continent the Military, Monkey and Lady Orchids hybridize freely and such hybrid swarms can be difficult to identify - although generally the flowers tend to show intermediate features of the contributing species. In Britain the species are well segregated geographically and the likelihood of hybridization is very remote.

The 'hood' varies from almost black to dark red and the lip is predominantly white, flushed with pink, with a profusion of red/purple spots. It has the fanciful appearance of a lady dressed in a divided skirt.

Both shots were taken at a Kent nature reserve in late May.

Burnt Orchid

The Burnt or Burnt-tip Orchid (Orchis ustulata) gets its name from its apparent burnt top of the flower head. This is readily evident in British specimens when tend to be smaller and the flower heads compact and semi-conical. The 'burnt' nature is not so obvious in the taller continental specimens such as the one here. This species has one of the longest life cycles of British orchids spending up to 15 years developing its rootstock before the first aerial leaf appears.

The orchid's distribution is restricted to a scattering of sites in southern England on chalk. The largest colonies are on the Wiltshire Downs.

This close-up shows the delicate nature of the flowers. Some authorities claim that the flowers smell of stewed cherries but that has not been my experience.

Both shots were taken on the Causse Noir near Millau, France, at the end of May

Green-winged Orchid

This orchid can be locally common in suitable, undisturbed, neutral or calcareous grassland. It is a relatively early flowerer and can dominate the scenery (the photograph shows it in the company of Cowslip but it is also associated with the Cuckoo Flower or Lady's Smock).

The flowers of the Green-winged or Green-veined Orchid (Orchis morio) are normally purple or pink but white specimens can be quite commonly found.

This shot was taken at a Buckinghamshire nature reserve at the beginning of May.

This shot, taken at a Worcestershire nature reserve in early May, clearly shows the green veins on its 'wings' that give the orchid its English name. The veins are even greener when viewed upwards from inside the flower.

Early Purple Orchid

This is one of the most common orchids and can be found in most parts of the country in woods and grassland. The Early Purple Orchid (Orchis mascula) is the earliest orchid to flower, generally being April in the south and slightly later towards the north. Flowering can continue until the end of June. It generally has a prominent dark-blotched rosette of leaves at its base, a long purple stem ending in a spike of rich purple flowers (although they may be paler or even white).

This shot, taken at a Suffolk nature reserve at the beginning of May, shows it in the presence of Dog's Mercury, which is a plant characteristic of shady (often beech) woods that this orchid prefers.

The flower of this orchid is mainly purple with a paler centre and sparse spotting of the lip becoming more concentrated at the throat of the flower. The sepals are thrown right back giving the flower a more open appearance.

This photograph was taken at the Malham National Nature Reserve, Yorkshire, at the end of May.

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