Butterfly Orchid Pictures

Butterfly Orchid

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Greater Butterfly Orchid and Lesser Butterfly Orchid look similar but occupy different habitats. Greater Butterfly Orchid is to be found on neutral unimproved or semi-improved grassland, while Lesser Butterfly Orchid replaces it on upland acid grassland and moorland. Greater Butterfly Orchid is by far the commoner of the two in Renfrewshire, having been recorded in 32 one km squares concentrated along the foot of the Gleniffer Braes and in the Neilston, Bridge of Weir and Kilmacolm areas. Lesser Butterfly Orchid is very rare by comparison, with only four or five widely scattered records on higher ground. The two species are however extremely alike with both having tall spikes of very similar white flowers which are best distinguished with the aid of a magnifying lens. Consequently, Lesser Butterfly Orchid may have been overlooked to some extent. [translated by Google]

ButterflyOrchid	Tulip	Peach Blossom
Plum Blossom	Camellia	Cherry Blossom

Both butterfly orchids are vulnerable to agricultural intensification and over-grazing and are thought to have declined in recent years, associated with a progressive loss of unimproved grassland. Some light grazing may be necessary to prevent the shading out of Greater Butterfly Orchids by tall grasses and herbs, as shown by the recent loss of almost a hundred plants from a grassy bank at Balgray reservoir when cattle grazing was abandoned. [translated by Google]

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