Gateshead Birders

Flora

Bee Orchid

Ophrys apifera

Other names:

Photo © George Simpson
By A1 at Shibdon Pond - 3rd July 2009

30 or so spikes found on the embankment of the A1 in June 2004. Only a few specimens of this beautiful orchid have been found in Gateshead and never in this quantity. It is not known if this species occured naturally in wind-borne seed landing on the limestone or the seed was already in amongst the hardcore and rubble used in the building of the road.

A few others were foun nearby. Later a second colony was found on rather acid soil near Chopwell and other plants have been found in the Metrocentre car Park and At the extreme south end of Birtley subsequently.

 


Photo ©
This plant was discovered growing in one of the car parks of the Metrocentre - 3 July 2009


This species requires limestone or chalk which is generally lacking in the borough. However these are growing on limestone rubble that makes up the embankment of the A1. Interestingly Hoary Plantain and Tor Grass both also calciphilous species also discovered here.

Photo ©

Shibdon Pond - 8th June 2008


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