- Wildlife
- Pyramidal orchid
Photo by Chris Goddard
About
The pyramidal orchid grows in chalk grassland as well as range of other habitats including coastal regions, scrub, road verges, abandoned quarries and railway embankments. It flowers in June and July.
How to identify
Its common name comes from the bright pink, pyramid-shaped cluster of flowers on top of the stem. Leaves are long, narrow and pointed.
Where to find it
Primarily central and southern England, coastal areas elsewhere including Scotland
Habitats
When to find it
- June
- July
How can people help
One of the habitats where pyramidal orchids grow is chalk downland - patchworks of chalk grassland, heath, scrub and ponds found on chalk hills. Areas of rare and unique wildlife, chalk grasslands, in particular, have been likened to a rainforest for the diversity of species they hold. But they are being lost at an alarming rate due to changes in land use causing the decline of grazing: it's estimated that we've lost 80% of our chalk grassland over the last 60 years. The Wildlife Trusts manage many grassland and downland nature reserves for the benefit of the rare wildlife they hold. You can help too: volunteer for your local Wildlife Trust and you could be involved in everything from scrub-cutting to stockwatching.