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One of the specimens this time exhibited
joined stigmas, rather than the more usual
separated ones - a feature which delayed
positive identification until it could be
keyed out more thoroughly. The later use
of a key was also necessary to attempt to
pin-down one particular composite, no easy
task even with the reference works to hand,
To date it has been tentatively identified
as the Hawkweed (Hieracium strumosum).
June and July is the time for the show of
Common Spotted/Southern Marsh Orchids.
Many hybrid forms exist, and pure strains
of either Dactylorhiza fuchsii or D. praeter-
missa are hard to find. The combination of
pink and white, with the bright blue of
Tufted Vetch (Vicia cracca) and yellow of
Ribbed Melilot (Melilotus officinalis)
was most impressive. Bee Orchids (Ophrys
apifera) were never very numerous in this
half of the Quarry, and this year only
one plant was found. The Bird's-nest
Orchid (Neottia nidus-avis) has faired
rather better, and several seeding remnants
could be seen alongside the path in places.
The Marsh Helleborine (Epipactis palustris),
at its only Essex station, manages to hang
on in a site some distance from the more
typical damp habitat around the small lake.
Insufficient willow clearance during the
spring probably accounts for the total
failure of the lakeside colony this year.
However, twenty-one vegetative spikes were
counted, fourteen of which have since
flowered.
Management work has revealed another Straw-
berry Tree (Arbutus unedo). This young
sapling has established itself well away from
the mature specimen (of apparently bird-sown