Wales

                 Dactylorhiza coccinea
                        Dactylorhiza ericetorum
                        Dactylorhiza fuchsii
                        Dactylorhiza incarnata
                        Dactlorhiza praetermissa
                        Dactylorhiza purpurella
                        Dactylorhiza traunsteineroides
                        Dactylorhiza viridis
                        Epipactis atrorubens
                        Epipactis dunensis
Epipactis neerlandica
                        Epipactis palustris
Epipactis phyllanthes                           Gymnadenia albida
                        Gymnadenia borealis
                        Gymnadenia densiflora
                        Hammarbya paludosa
                        Liparis loeselii
                        Neottia cordata
                        Neottia nidus-avis

	Notable species :- Dactylorhiza coccinea Dactylorhiza ericetorum Dactylorhiza fuchsii Dactylorhiza incarnata Dactlorhiza praetermissa Dactylorhiza purpurella Dactylorhiza traunsteineroides Dactylorhiza viridis Epipactis atrorubens Epipactis dunensis Epipactis neerlandica Epipactis palustris Epipactis phyllanthes Gymnadenia albida Gymnadenia borealis Gymnadenia densiflora Hammarbya paludosa Liparis loeselii Neottia cordata Neottia nidus-avis
Dactylorhiza purpurella		Wales

Liparis loeselii	Epipactis atrorubens	Epipactis dunensis
Areas of interest Wales is a country of diverse habitats but which is dominated by the mountains and uplands which run almost unbroken north to south down its spine. Although these uplands offer magnificent scenery and are rich in wildlife generally, the mountain flora is somewhat impoverished, this particularly being the case in respect of orchid species. This is due largely to the predominantly acidic nature of the soils but also to large scale hill farming. The coastline however could not be more different and features, dramatic cliffs, extensive beaches and internationally important sand dune systems that give sanctuary to many of Great Britain's rarest plants, including orchids. The dunes of south and west Wales are exceptionally rich in species and perhaps the most noted of these systems is the National Nature Reserve at Kenfig near Port Talbot. The species list for this site is too extensive to fully record here but includes L. loeselii, D. praetermissa, D. purpurella, D. coccinea, E. neerlandica, E. phyllanthes and its curious form "cambrensis" whose taxonomic status has yet to be properly established.
	The picture to the left depicts a particularly robust group of D. praetermissa growing in typical Welsh, dune habitat. Moving along the coast you encounter the rugged cliffs of Pembrokeshire which in turn give way to a central west coast with more varied landscapes including broad tidal estuaries, bogs and dune complexes. Of particular interest is an area around Borth which features extensive dune systems and an outstanding raised peat bog. The latter is home to Dactylorhiza species and the rare Spiranthes romanzoffiana, whilst the former is home to the impressive Dactylorhiza purpurella ssp cambrensis or Western Marsh Orchid. This is a robust orchid with distinct, heavily spotted broad leaves and deeply coloured, brightly marked flowers. The island of Anglesey sits across the Menai Straits, off the north west coast of Wales and is a must for the orchid enthusiast with its diverse and wildlife rich habitats. Of these habitats, perhaps Anglesey's most notable and botanically rich landscape is the area of bogs located in the east of the island, which are considered to be of national importance and duly protected as such. These are the Anglesey Fens and are of special interest because of their curious geological composition, being alkaline fens set in shallow calcareous valleys, immediately surrounded by more typical acidic heath. The flora of the bogs is therefore very much calcareous in nature, comprising calcicoles such as Ophrys insectifera, Ophrys apifera, Gymnadenia conopsea and Neottia ovata. Another special orchid of these fens is Dactylorhiza traunsteineroides. The other outstanding natural environment on Anglesey is once again a dune system and is to be found in the south west corner of the island. Newborough Warren is one of the largest in Wales and gives shelter to most of the dune dwelling orchid species already mentioned but with the important addition of the
British endemic Epipactis Dunensis, a species relatively common in the older established pinewoods of the reserve. A further British endemic, the already mentioned D. purpurella ssp cambrensis (pictured below) may also be found, though not with the frequencey as at Ynyslas Dunes, Borth.
The Great Orme near Llandudno is an outcrop of limestone projecting into the sea from the north coast of the country and is an area noted for a collection of uncommon, sometimes rare calcareous species that cling to this oasis of alkalinity. From an orchid point of view, interest is largely focussed on Epipactis atrorubens which although not abundant, still finds a home amongst the rocks and cliffs. Away from the coast Wales supports a good number of inland nature reserves founded and controlled by various national and local wildlife trusts. Two of these are of particularly interest as they protect orchid species scarce in many parts of the UK. Gymnadenia albida (Small White Orchid) is an extremely uncommon species that is undoubtedly at its most frequent in Scotland, it does however exist in just a few, usually struggling outposts in northern England and Wales. One such colony is to be found in central Wales at the Vicarage Meadows nature reserve run by Brecknock Wildlife Trust. In recent years, the number of flowering plants has been in low single figures and visitors must take the greatest care when searching for them. The second site I want to mention is again in central Wales and is actually a large privately owned estate within which there are several National Nature Reserves run by different organizations and not least the RSPB. The Elan Valley Estate is predominantly deciduous woodland and rough pasture with lakes (reservoirs) and streams. In the upland bogs Hammarbaya paludosa (Bog Orchid) is present and in the drier areas it is possible to find Neottia cordata (Lesser Twayblade).
vv