Hi Mike, I couldn't identify it from any of my books but it has the look of a wild orchid, of which there are many varieties native to Suffolk including the scarce Military Orchid which I'm fairly certain this is not.
The tallest native British orchid I have come across so far grows up to 4 feet tall (120cm.) Nursery men's notes suggest that cross-pollinated varieties show extra vigour, so perhaps your plant is a natural cross-breed? http://www.hardyorchids.co.uk/plants.htm
Our friend Sue (and she is knowlegeable in these matters, as in may others) says that it is Himalayan Balsam, and is as much of a nuisance as Japanese knotweed, as it takes over the habitat of our native species. It bears (in my opinion) very pretty flowers, but I can quite see that it is a very invasive plant. Thanks Sue.
7 comments:
Hi Mike,
I couldn't identify it from any of my books but it has the look of a wild orchid, of which there are many varieties native to Suffolk including the scarce Military Orchid which I'm fairly certain this is not.
It seems to tally with several types of marsh orchid, but do they grow to that size?
Hard to say without a yard-stick in the picture! But some of the marsh orchids tend to be among the taller of the British native orchids.
See text of 'Wednesday' - six foot.
Dash-it! My illiteracy has been discovered at last!
The ones for which I can find the heights vary from 4 to 28 inches.
Maybe that was particularly rich soil? Or could plants be cross-pollinated with some GM crops in the area?
The tallest native British orchid I have come across so far grows up to 4 feet tall (120cm.) Nursery men's notes suggest that cross-pollinated varieties show extra vigour, so perhaps your plant is a natural cross-breed?
http://www.hardyorchids.co.uk/plants.htm
Our friend Sue (and she is knowlegeable in these matters, as in may others) says that it is Himalayan Balsam, and is as much of a nuisance as Japanese knotweed, as it takes over the habitat of our native species. It bears (in my opinion) very pretty flowers, but I can quite see that it is a very invasive plant. Thanks Sue.
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