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jomau

By Jomau

Hampshire, United Kingdom Gb

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P7190794 P7190797 P7190792

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What are the new shoots,

19 Jul, 2010

 

The orchids seem to have a basal clump of leaves according to wikipedia.

19 Jul, 2010

 

It's Ivy Broomrape (Orobanche hederae). It parasitises the roots of Ivy plants. Being a complete heterotrophic parasite, it has no need for chlorophyll and has dispensed with it (and its leaves now reduced to scales) and instead takes all the mineral nutrients and water from it's Ivy host by means of special underground structures called haustoria that plumb into the host plants vascular system.

There are several other species in this country but most of them occur in Europe Asia and the America's.

The link I posted on your earlier question shows it (copy and paste into your browser).

They are in fact flowers. Tubular or funnel shaped like miniature Foxgloves though the brown ones will have an egg-like seed capsule inside by now.

20 Jul, 2010

 

Teddygirl, there are two new plants of the ones in question, growing next to the old ones. Scotsgran. There are no basel leaves or any other leaves growing at the base. Ivy broomrape seems a strong contender, but that is a weed. Colour is mentioned for this plant, but the one in question never has any other colour other than yellow when young and brown as it matures.
A conservationist who visits yearly to check on areas left to go wild, has identified it as a Orchid and until I can find someone who can remember the name he gave it, I think we need to look further.
I don't think the church authorities would bo worried about protecting it, if it was a weed.
I will have to contact someone on the Parochical council, not my usual circle. Until then, we,ll settle on Ivy Broomrape.

20 Jul, 2010

 

Jomau,

Fractal is certainly correct in saying that this Orobanche hederae. It does have a superficially similar appearance to some Orchids, and is not very widely known about, so could easily be mistaken for an Orchid too.

I'd like to comment on the idea that your Orobanche is a "weed" whilst Orchids are not.....they are both types of British native wildflower and are at least equally interesting.

All of the British species of Orobanche are rare and many have suffered severe population declines in recent years. O. hederae is rated as a 'nationally scarce' species & is also particularly rarely seen away from it's usual coastal locations.

It is in fact far scarcer and more unusual than many British Orchids and certainly merits as much protection as might be given to an unspecified species of British Orchid I'd have thought.

20 Jul, 2010

How do I say thanks?

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