Anacamptis pyramidalis var. albiflora - Pyramidal Orchid, white variety

Phylum: Magnoliophyta - Class: Liliopsida - Order: Orchidales - Family: Orchidaceae

Above: a completely white Pyramidal Orchid Orchis Pyramidalis var. albiflora photographed in Hampshire in June 2014 by Carol Booker. The white variant of the Pyramidal Orchid is a rare find in the UK, although it has been recorded as having established stable colonies.

Description

The flowers are pure white and the spur is somewhat shorter than that of the pink flowered form.

Distribution

Although it is the pink form of this orchid that is most widespread and occurs in vast numbers in some locations, it is always worth looking out for a white specimen since they appear in the same locations as the pink form. We have not yet personally seen this variant of the Pyramidal Orchid in the UK, but there are colonies to be found in France, Greece, Portugal and in Italy.

Habitat

The white form of Pyramidal Orchid occurs in the same kinds of habitats as the pink-coloured Pyramidal Orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis, and both colour variants bloom at much the same time. The specimen shown above was photographed in the Lot Valley, France, in late May.

Pink and white varieties of Pyramidal Orchid, Stockbridge, Hants 2017. Picture: Toby Wright.

Flowering times

In Britain during a good year Pyramidal Orchids will appear in their thousands from early June until late July. Further south in Europe Pyramidal Orchids start flowering in March and April. The white variety flowers at the same times, although it is very scarce.

Both plants shown on this page were solitary specimens among colonies of pink-flowered Pyramidal Orchids.

Reference sources

The Plant List

Sue Parker (2016) Wild Orchids of Wales - how, when and where to find them; First Nature

Sue Parker (2014) Wild Orchids of the Algarve - how, when and where to find them; First Nature

Anne and Simon Harrap (2005) Orchids of Britain and Ireland; A&C Black

Pierre Delforge (2005) Orchids of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East; A&C Black