I came across this bright and colourful plant all alone in a field near my local river. It is called the Common Spotted-orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii).
May 2017, Staffordshire, England.
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Nature Journeys 
What a lucky find, and so beautiful too. Judging from the leaves, it is definitely spotted but perhaps not as common as the name suggests?
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It’s odd, because I find some species with ‘Common’ in their vernacular names I hardly see or have yet to see. Perhaps it is down to local conditions, but the last one I saw around here was back in 2012, and that was alone and very much in the same spot as I spotted this spotted orchid! Thank you for your comment 🙂
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Maybe it is only relatively common, or used to be common, or is common only in specific places as you say, but definitely to be treasured! I wonder if it flowers every year or only when conditions are just right?
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It might be I just haven’t noticed it in the previous years, but it also could be the conditions have to be right for it.
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I have several common spotted orchids which appear yearly /April/May in my wild garden . Last year i had thirty of them ,so they are common . I have several making their appearance this year too.
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I love it’s colors. Really beautiful!
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Thank you, Aspaai 🙂 Whenever I see these orchids they always make me smile 🙂
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Lovely little flower (and your photos of it).
It reminds me of 3 different Australian flowers combined. The shape of one, petal pattern of another and way the flowers open of another 🙂
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Thank you very much, Vicki 🙂 It is quite an extraordinary flower.
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Absolutely stunning, Pete. Wow!! 🌸
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Thank you, Amy 🙂
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This looks like a bromeliad and orchid combined. It is absolutely lovely and so unique… I’ve never seen anything like it. And it grows wild?
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Thank you 🙂 Yes it grows wild and free out in the fields, and prefers moist, damp places. This was close to my local river, so it must have suited it well.
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Beautiful. I did not realize there was an orchid like this with multiple blooms on the same stem. The leaves are very beautiful too.
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Thank you, Peggy 🙂 It is a very attractive plant.
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Love these spotted beauties, Pete! 🙂
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Thank you, Indira 🙂 One has to make the most of their beauty whilst it lasts 🙂
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The way the flowers are placed on the stem makes this a very unique orchid!
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Nature sure has a way of creating the unique 🙂
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Truly beautiful. I think we have some of these in our local gardens. They are beautiful!
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Thank you 🙂 They certainly stand out from the crowd.
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What a lovely flower. Beautiful photos Pete!
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Thank you, Belinda 🙂
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Such beautiful pictures!
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Thank you 🙂 They are one of my favourite flowers.
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You’re welcome!
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