Betwixt and Between......Twayblades!
Twayblades are just coming out and below is Chris`s table of locations that need searching to refind them..as with the Ealy-purples some of the woods are private and will need permission to visit, but some surveying can be done if footpaths exist.
Don`t forget you can view these records on a Google air map from the BNHS web site.
| 6-Jul-1998 | Sundon Chalk Pits CWS | TL036282 | |
| 26-May-1998 | Dallow Downs CWS | TL070214 | |
| 24-Apr-1988 | Flitwick Wood CWS | TL023345 | |
| 5-Jun-1989 | Wrest Park Grounds CWS | TL09323511 | |
| 28-May-1993 | Kings Wood, Houghton Conquest CWS | TL052405 | |
| 18-Apr-1999 | Browns Wood CWS | TL025547 | |
| 26-May-1993 | Milton Ernest | TL022562 | |
| 20-Apr-1988 | Great and Little Early Groves CWS | Great Early Grove | TL092532 |
| 12-May-1987 | Wilden Road Verges CWS | TL0856 | |
| 31-Dec-1997 | Penn and Worleys Woods CWS | Worley's Wood | TL025639 |
| 9-May-1989 | Melchbourne Woods CWS | Lady Wood | TL034643 |
| 30-Jul-1989 | Dairyborn Scarp CWS | TL112212 | |
| 23-May-1992 | Deacon Hill SSSI | TL122295 | |
| 19-Apr-1988 | Apsleybury Wood CWS | TL118325 | |
| 2-Jul-1987 | Poppyhill Pits CWS | TL1839 | |
| 30-Apr-1994 | Chicksands Wood CWS | TL103403 | |
| 31-Mar-1989 | Palmers Wood CWS | TL130446 | |
| 6-Jul-1987 | South of Bushmead Cross RNR | TL110595 | |
| 31-Dec-1988 | Great Barford | Fringe of woodland on Gt Barford House estate | TL139532 |
| 9-May-1987 | Lady Wood CWS | TL127550 | |
| 31-Dec-1990 | Everton (v.c. 30) | Waterloo Farm tetrad | TL15V |
| 7-May-1994 | Bushmead CWS | TL115604 | |
| 20-May-1990 | Potton Wood SSSI | TL250498 | |
| 19-May-1991 | Cockayne Hatley Wood CWS | TL2650 | |
Twayblades are a bit of a favourite of mine persisting in a range of habitats transforming from the "fanged destroyer"look of the early shoots to its more homely two broad leaves and pale green flower spike, some reaching an epic size! Sometimes there are more than two leaves.
They can send up several shoots from the same rhizome forming patches or groups of flowers.
Twayblades are in the same genus as the Bird`s - nest orchid.
Close to the flowers are little manikin shapes in a "onesie"..the zipper up the front having a secretion that attracts insects, mainly flies, that collect the pollen and go from flower to flower.
Twayblade flowers close-up photo Richard Revels.
Common Spotted Orchids are also just coming out now and
I have reports of Fly and Burnt orchids in flower.
Do send in records of any orchids you come across, even negative records are of interest.
If you see any pollinators on the flowers please do record them..a photo would be great to help in identification.
Don`t give up on the Bird`s -nest orchid which can be found in flower..or be at least recognisable up the begining of July.
Good luck as always
