Pseudorchis albida Small-white Orchid

A distinctive, white-flowered orchid up to 40cm tall with a dense spike of small white flowers in summer. It is a species of sunny pastures, cliffs and open moorland on infertile, mildly acidic or calcareous soils in the uplands. Plants often occur as single individuals and it can overlooked easily. Nevertheless, it has clearly undergone a significant decline in some of its former strongholds in Britain, particularly in northern England. It is very rare in Wales where it is still declining. It was recorded by Eleanor Vachell near Cwn-du Falls in the 1920s but it has not been seen anywhere in West Glamorgan since. Habitat loss has probably been an important contributory factor in its decline over the last 100 years but this boreal montane species may also be contracting its biogeographical range northwards in response to climate warming.

Native