OUR SOUTH WEST Home Page Millennium Archive Home Page
Species |
Early spider
orchid |
| Habitat |
CALCAREOUS GRASSLAND |
| Background
and status |
A distinctive
perennial up to 45cm tall with up to ten flowers in a loose spike. Triangular
petals and an X or H-shaped mark on the lower lip. One of the first downland
orchids to flower it is found on favoured downs in Kent, Sussex and Dorset,
often within sight and sound of the sea. It has a short life-cycle, with
few flowering for more than three years and most emerging for one year only,
before becoming dormant and dying. Flowers April-June. |
| Main
Threats |
Neglect, leading to invasion of rough grasses
and scrub
Innapropriate grazing density (to high or low)
`Improvement’ of grassland by application
of fertiliser and introduction of different grass species
Recreational pressures
|
| Conservation
and targets |
Maintain current range
Improve management of sites
|
| |
 |
