The Bog Orchid (Hammarbya paludosa) is one of the smallest and most easily overlooked orchids in Britain. Standing only a few centimetres high, its tiny yellowish-green flower spike can be remarkably difficult to spot amongst the surrounding vegetation. It grows in very wet, acidic and nutrient-poor peat, particularly amongst Sphagnum moss around bog pools, runnels and flushes.
In north-west England, Bog Orchid is a scarce and local plant, occurring principally where suitable areas of undisturbed bog and mire remain. Nationally it is much more strongly associated with northern and western Britain and is classified as Vulnerable in England. Its diminutive size means that colonies can easily be overlooked, making the discovery of this tiny orchid amongst the Sphagnum of a north-western bog a particularly rewarding botanical find.
All photos by (c) Andrew P. Chick taken in Cumbria
Andrew Chick Ecology 
Leave a comment