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Southern Marsh Orchid. Dactylorhiza praetermissa.

This is the most common orchid at the Messingham Sand Quarry reserve, (MSQ), which can be into double figure thousands.

As the name implies it is found on the marshes but will also be found on the reserve where the soil is often damp.

The river Humber is the accepted dividing line between the southern and northern marsh orchids.

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Common-spotted Orchid     Dactylorhiza fuchsii

True to its name this is quite common at MSQ.

One way of identifying them is that the leaves are usually spotted or blotched with purple-brown marks.

However they do hybridise with several other orchids including Fragrant and Southern Marsh which also occur on the reserve.

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Marsh Fragrant-orchid  Gymnadenia densiflora

Currently only found on the marshes of MSQ this tends to flower about 2 weeks later than the Southern Marsh.

Again, this is quite a rarity for our area.

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Marsh Helleborine   Epipactis palustris

This is an orchid that is doing exceptionally well since its discovery on the main marsh at MSQ. At that time this was only known in Lincolnshire from the Rimac area.

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Dune Helleborine - Epipactis dunensis

Easily missed, this rare orchid, also occuring at MSQ is normally found in coastal dunes sites in Anglesey and Lancashire, and inland sites in Northumberland and Scotland. 

We normally have around 8 to 12 spikes each year.

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Bee Orchid     Ophrys apifera

One of the best known orchids resembling a fat bumblebee. This occurs at MSQ where it often seems to come up in different areas. It can also lay dormant for some time, so it is well worth looking out for it.

There are also several distinct forms where the patterns vary in colour and shape.

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Common Twayblade      Listera ovata

So named after the two oval leaves at the bottom of the stem, this orchid can be found in a small number of areas at MSQ.

Depending on the height of the vegetation around it, it is one of the easiest of orchids to miss as all parts of the plant are shades of green.

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Bog Pimpernel - Anagallis tenella

Found on the marshes at MSQ, this very attractive plant can form large mats from its trailing stems.

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Water Figwort  Scrophularia auriculata

Showing the unusual flowers of this waterside plant.

Found at MSQ along pond edges, it also has square stems with wings on the angles which makes it easy to identify from Common Figwort which does not have wings.

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Marsh Marigold  - also called Kingcups... King of the Buttercups. Found in the ditches and marshy areas at MSQ this always provides a splash of colour.

This is one of many plants with many local names which proves the need for the scientific name, in this case Caltha palustris, so that everyone knows which plant is being referred to.

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Bugle   Ajuga reptans

This attractive low growing plant, up to 20cms, spreads by creeping rhizomes along the ground. It often covers large areas, hence another of its common names, Carpetweed.

The name 'reptans' derives from the Latin 'repto' to creep or crawl.

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