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Nature Notes - Mallorca 2005
Orchidaceae
Most of the nine orchid species I found in March 2004 had either finished flowering or were on their way out by this time of year, but I did find four new ones. Of last year's ones, Bertoloni's Bee Orchid, which had been just coming into flower last March, was flowering well at this time. Sawfly and Mirror Orchids could still be found and in one place a colony of Bumblebee Orchids was in prime condition. Based on my limited experience I'd say that probably the first or second week in April is ideal for seeing the greatest variety of orchids in Mallorca.
Here are the four new ones...
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You can imagine how my eyes popped out of my head when I first saw this! The Violet Birdsnest Orchid, which grows in woods, where it feeds off the decaying leaves.
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 Infloresence c 3.2 cm long |
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The Dense-flowered Orchid. Met with this a few times on shady roadside banks. There had been no sign of it on my March visit the previous year.
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The Man Orchid. I think I only saw this in one place.
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Finally the Common Bee Orchid, only seen at s'Albufera. Of the 13 orchid (sub)species found in 2004 and 2005, this was the only one not found within easy walking distance of where I was staying, and is the only one that is also found in Britain.
All photos and other content copyright © Carl Farmer