Early Purple Orchid - Orchis mascula

[rolf]

Spotted this pretty wild flower on the verge at Cernay, near Chartres, France.

[Chocky]

Very pretty. Nice shots
We have some along the front path but I think they are bluebell tuned purple

[Merlin]

This has caught my eye Rolf. I'm by no means at all an 'orchid' person but the Military Orchid is one of Britains rarest and is restricted to just two sites in Suffolk and Buckinghamshire. Where is Cernay Rolf please?

Pete.

[rolf]

Sorry Pete, I'm at my sister's place in France at the moment, Eure et Loire region, near Chartres. Will add that to the first post to avoid any confusion.

[Merlin]

Yes Rolf. I realised this (France) was going to be the result of my query and in some sort of way feel I owe you an apology for my ignorance (unwittingly of course) but do confess to my thinking 'wait a minute' this is a rare orchid Rolf has photographed here must check it out.

Anyway, I came clean on this one Rolf, so feel better about it all now.

Pete.

[Babs]

Lovely flower rolf

[rolf]

Have had to edit the title of this thread from Military Orchid to Early Purple Orchid, as my initial identification was incorrect. Apologies to anyone who has posted in the thread, I was perusing my new wild flower book and spotted my mistake.

[Chocky]

I'm sure we can forgive you as we are non of us perfect.
Still very nice capture