The Orchids of Hutton Roof
Epipactis atrorubens and more
2024
It's my pleasure to share some of the brilliant orchids found across Hutton Roof again this year. Whilst I cannot even begin to replicate the wonderful work and dedication of my late friend Bryan Yorke, I can for now, continue to monitor, record, and share some of the Hutton Roof specials.
"Today we have over 2,000 Dark-red Helleborines (Epipactis atrorubens) and its assorted varieties (with only 60% of the area surveyed), we also have over 400 Broad-leaved Helliborines (Epipactis helleborine), Usually around the 20 to 25 of the bolder hybrids (atrorubens x helleborine) (Epipactis x schmalhausenii), plus maybe up to 100 which are still unclassified and recorded as only "probable" but even these do have a strong leaning towards possible hybrids or plants that are breeding back on themselves, we have noticed all the Epipactis on Hutton Roof are fertile. Wouldn't it be grand if we could tell their DNA!!"
We are fortunate that several other orchid species can also be found here, from the common and widespread, such as the Early Purple Orchid (Orchis mascula) and the Common Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii), to the marvellous and vulnerable Fly Orchid (Ophrys insectifera), towards the limit of its northern range in Britain.
Updates on notable individual specimens have been added to the blog pages. Some have now been recorded, year on year, for over a decade.
I hope you enjoy this brief overview of another orchid season on Hutton Roof, a special and unique place.
There's plenty still to be found here, and with the helleborines in particular, much still to discover.
Martin
Friday 19th April
Early Purple Orchid (Orchis mascula).
The beginning of a new orchid flowering season.
My first EPO in flower this year. The Rakes, Hutton Roof. The EPOs in this area (East side) always seem to be a couple of days ahead of the others across the fell.
Tuesday 30th April
Friday 3rd May
Saturday 4th May
These EPOs are protected from most things down this gryke.
Farleton Fell
After a mild winter that bodes well for this orchid season, it seems to be an excellent year for EPOs on neighbouring Farleton. I quickly counted over 500 in just the area around the summit cairn on the Knott.
Monday 13th May
Last year it was 17th May when I saw the first Fly Orchids (Ophrys insectifera) in flower on Hutton Roof. This year it was today, and a few were already well on their way.
The first Fly Orchid I ever saw on HR....still going strong and coming back for another year.
Last year, we carried out a survey of the known Fly Orchid sites on the fell. The total number of spikes recorded was 119.
Fly Orchid numbers do tend to fluctuate each year, but it appears that 2024 is a good year for them, and I'm certain the count would've been higher had we done it now.
It's wonderful to see these incredible mimics doing well here.
Sunday 19th May
My 'No.1' in flower for another year
Some garden views across Hutton Roof from today.
Thursday 23rd May
It was a pleasure to show the Fly Orchids on Hutton Roof to some enthusiasts this year, including Paul M, who it was clear had got the 'orchid bug' (difficult not to with these fascinating and beautiful plants), and so it was great to hear from him that he'd subsequently found a small colony high on Holme Park Fell (NT) where to my knowledge they hadn't been recorded before.
Interestingly, they were historically described as to be found "Between Holme Park and the crag, also in the wood pretty plentifully" by Thomas Lawson in 1688, and included in the second edition of 'Synopsis Methodica Stirpium Britannicarum' by John Rae, published in 1696.
There is a distinct lack of modern records, although I have it on good authority a small colony has been seen in another area of the fell (not on the Holme Park side) in recent years, but none were found there this year.
I just had to see these on HPF, so I braved the inclement weather and sure enough, following Paul's directions, seven spikes were soon found (six in flower, one nipped) in a small area around an Easterly facing banking at 243m a.s.l.
An excellent find by Paul.
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And I'm glad I went up in the rain today, as nearby I also found an uncommon white variant Early Purple Orchid (Orchis mascula var. alba).
There was one recorded on Hutton Roof (Lancelot Clark Storth), but it hasn't been seen since 2020. I always keep an eye out in the season for white EPO's, but I'd not found any more in the area. Sure enough, when you're not really looking, you stumble across one.
Past its prime by today, but a beautiful specimen nonetheless.
Monday 27th May
Bank Holiday Monday and the weather today just about sums up the last month. Heavy rain followed by some sunshine.
First check on the Dark-red Helleborines (Epipactis atrorubens) and the Broad-leaved Helleborines (Epipactis helleborine).
Things are looking good. After a poor 2023 for both due to the drought in May-June, this year is already looking promising, as you can see from the photographs.
A couple of notable absences which have not come through appear to be 55c, the cracking bicolour with the 'bellsweep' petals, and the distinctive favourite 'Stripey', the variegated E. helleborine.
But the overall picture is looking very positive.
A selection from today.
Epipactis x schmalhausenii
Variegated E. helleborine
Remains caged. Superb specimen.
E. atrorubens
42. Found by Bryan in 2021, came through as a duo in 2022 and 2023.
A quartet this year, but it doesn't appear they will all reach inflorescence.
40b. E. atrorubens
15d.
Epipactis x schamalhausenii
Epipactis helleborine
15 a and b. Epipactis x schamalhausenii
Wednesday 29th May
Yet again dodging the rain showers for a brief trip up to check on the Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera) site. After being tipped off to their presence last year, I found one solitary spike.
This year a quick check had seven spikes, and one was just into flower.
The ultimate exotic looking native orchid in the UK, it's great to have them locally, but they appear to be one of the beneficiaries of the warming climate, expanding their range northwards in the country.
about to flower
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Of course, despite their appearance mimicing a bee, they're self pollinating here, as their target bee species isn't present.
Saturday 1st June
A rare fine dry weekend and a chance to have a check on Holme Park Fell (NT) for Fly Orchids this morning.
A grand couple of hours, successful early on, in that I found two Ophrys insectifera spikes, a couple of feet apart, and around 250 metres from the colony found recently.
I also came across these cracking Common Twayblade (Neottia ovata) specimens in a gryke. A much overlooked orchid, and not as 'showy' as some.
But these are absolute beauties nonetheless.
Harrop and Harrop (Orchids of Britain and Ireland) describe the Common Twayblade perfectly as 'unassuming' and with 'small, green, inconspicuous flowers' which are 'vaguely man-like'.
As its name suggests, a widespread, but beautiful orchid, and a small number can be found across Hutton Roof. Uberash Plain is usually a good spot to find them.
These three plants, at between 50 and 55cm tall are amongst the best examples I have come across on the complex.
I also checked today on the Bee Orchids, and a decent search located a couple more in flower.
Ten plants in total now this year.
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Saturday 8th June
A brief visit to check on some of the helleborine specials. Bryan and Alan G made cages for protecting a small number of plants from the deer and hare.
Of course, they're not 100% effective, but at very least are a useful deterrent, and assist in preserving some of the notable specimens.
On every visit I notice plants that have been taken down. It's nature in action, but heartbreaking nevertheless.
With kind permission of Cumbria Wildlife Trust, the cages in the area Bryan referred to as his study area are maintained and placed each year with care and precision.
Bryan shared the inventory paperwork and photographs of all the cages with me, and most are used to continue to protect a number of the specimens that have a recorded history.
15's. Epipactis x schmalhausenii
Some slight disturbance across the fragmented pavement noticeable in this area over the last week, which appears down to the grazing cattle on this area of the fell. Plenty of evidence left in the surrounding area!
Just a shame it's such a precious spot for atrorubens with different varieties close together here.
On the whole the cattle do an excellent job in this area of the fell.
In areas of the crags which are no longer grazed, the scrub has increased noticeably, even in the years I have been exploring here.
It leads to an overall decline in species and is concerning.
So I try to see the bigger picture if they trample or disturb some of our orchids!
Epipactis atrorubens
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Sunday 9th June
The daytime temperatures in recent weeks have been predominantly cool for the time of year. An odd hailstorm too, which is quite a rare occurrence in late May and early June. Even for here!
Although it's still early, there is also a noticeable lack of butterflies on the crag at present.
Common Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii).
Park Wood, Hutton Roof (CWT).
Always guaranteed to see a selection of these around the ancient woodland of Park Wood.
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Sunday 16th June
E. atrorubens var. bicolour 40b.
40b
40b
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E. atrorubens var. bicolour 55a
E. atrorubens var. bicolour 66
Predation
pallens 8
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Friday 21st June
Midsummer.
The last few days have finally felt like summer, with warm dry weather.
E. atrorubens var. bicolour- specimen 40b
Often being one of the first, and the first of the numbered atrorubens of the year to come into flower.
Recorded since 2014.
Sure enough, it is the first again for 2024.
The flowers have a cream coloured epichile with the apple green wash, and very light pink bosses.
Shows the value of the cages, as several nearby plants have been taken down already.
A brief check around many of the recorded specimens, and even the colony of regular 'early bloomers' on Uberash Roughs, but no others found in flower as yet.
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Sunday 23rd June
A handful of plants now just coming into flower, but most are some days away yet.
40b
40b
Left- E. helleborine duo
Right- E. atrorubens
Sunday 30th June
The atrorubens are a bit behind, but that's not surprising with the weather generally over recent weeks. A rare (mostly) dry day today.
Lots now in flower, but most still to bloom.
Very noticeable today that the ever increasing numbers of bicolours are generally ahead of the darker specimens, with nearly all of the bicolour specimens in flower, but only a limited number of the 'classic' atrorubens.
Overall the numbers of atrorubens seem far up on last year, where the issue was a prolonged period of high temperatures without rain during their crucial growing period.
I disturbed a roe deer this morning, interrupting a helleborine breakfast. Clearly enjoying the full larder this year!
Cream coloured bosses highlighted by the purple staining on the epichile. Stunning.
Bicolours and 'classic' atrorubens. The bicolours are a few days ahead in this area (well into flower) which appears consistent with observations elsewhere on the fell.
Epipactis atrorubens var. bicolour in the foreground. Well into flower.
Epipactis atrorubens plant in background still in bud.
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60
Beautiful bicolour specimen back again for 2024. Light coloured epichile and bosses with the touch of apple green towards the midrib as can be seen on the next photograph.
Tuesday 2nd July
A very brief visit on a blustery afternoon (evident on some of the photographs!)
Plenty more atrorubens now in flower.
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17v. A cracking bicolour back for another year.
17v
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17v
Dark stem and green stem together.
only one of the four in flower
DRH and BLH
Specimen 66. Bicolour on green stem.
66
66
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A flying visit on a blustery early evening (after rain naturally).
I interrupted helleborine dinner time today
42
42
42
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40/40a
40
40
Friday 5th July
A brief check over the main Broad-leaved Helleborine pavement this morning, and all is looking good.
The hot dry weather in May and June 2023 meant last year was a poor one for the E. helliborines, but it seems they've bounced back well.
Just for now they're content to let the atrorubens steal the show, as they come into flower later this month.
Most of the atrorbuens are in now in flower, and I had an excellent full day on the fell.
Also pleasing to see plenty of butterflies on the wing. Several species seen across the crag today.
BLH dark stemmed duo
BLHs
BLHs
17v
pallens 12 still in bud
66
66
66
66
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55
pallens 7, 'blind' this year
55a
pallens 13, non flowering this year, a common occurrence with atrorubens
pallens 10
55l
55o. A non flowering year.
55q
55q. Light coloured epichile stunner.
bicolour
pallens 3 now into flower
pallens 3 with dappled red spots spots on the epichile, and just visible here on the inner sepal
pallens 3
Escarp 13. A non flowering year.
pallens 4
pallens 4
pallens 4
pallens 4
pallens 4
pallens 4
"Oiy! you're in my way!"
If it were possible to describe Hutton Roof with one photograph, then perhaps this is it.
Beauty and variation.
40a
40a/40
40
40b
15d schmalhausenii
Cracking bicolor initially found last year. We are now at the stage where bicolours outnumber 'classic' atrorubens in some areas. I think even Bryan would have struggled to number them all.
Saturday 6th July
A couple of hours looking over a few of the recorded specimens, and a number of new bicolours.
Also pleasing to find another variegated helleborine. Not as impressive as the cracking plant under the canopy, or Bryan's favourite 'Stripey' (unfortunately not with us this year) but one to keep an eye on.
Not too far from the '9's' area, but partially hidden, which may explain why I'd not found it before.
42
42
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pallens 3
pallens 3
pallens 5
pallens 4
pallens 4
pallens 4
55k
55k
55l
55l
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66
66
66 - light epichile on green stem
Bicolour found last year- light coloured epichile on dark stem
E. helleborine- variegated. A small plant, found today.
17v
Sunday 7th July
A poor forecast, but despite a gloomy morning, the sun did come out, and I managed to check over a few of the specials.
pallens 4
42
42
42
42
55
55
55a
It was great to meet Nick G. and James B. who'd come up to see the atrorubens. They showed me a photo of a plant they'd found which appeared to be a pallens. Although they'd not taken a GPS, Nick was kind enough to point out the general area, some distance away from the main atrorubens area, in another area of the fell.
After a half hour search I found it.
A small plant, just 20 cm high, with eight flowers, but definitely a pallens. Next to a 'classic' atrorubens (not yet in flower).
Light green stem and ovaries, with the 'frosty' appearance, lemon coloured petals and sepals, with just a hint of red.
Close up photos show the red spots on the inner petals, sepals and epichile.
I've never found a pallens in this area of the fell before, and I know Bryan hadn't.
A very interesting area, with a number of colourful varieties in the immediate vicinity.
One to explore further.
Finder: James Barnes
Some more shots
Monday 8th July
A short visit onto the fell today with a couple of friends who had travelled over to see the atrorubens. Commitments meant I had to unfortunately leave their great company too soon, but they'd timed their visit very well and enjoyed their day.
Friday 12th July
Good to meet up with Scott, the CWT warden this afternoon, who was up with a party of CWT staff, and show them some of the atrorubens and hybrids in one area of the crag.
The deer have clearly been very busy since my last visit, the 9's area in particular has taken a bit of a hit.
But in an area of the fell where there there are at least several hundred atrorubens, there is still plenty to appreciate.
55
55
55
55
55a
55a
42
42
42
pallens 12
11
11
11
100 duo
My favourite this year.
The 'rubens' red spots and influence is visible more on the outer and inner sepals than petals, giving the flowers an 'unwashed' appearance as you can see in the next two photographs.
pallens 3
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pallens 3
66
66
55a
55a
55k
Saturday 13th July
My priority today was to carry out necessary repairs to a couple of the atrorubens cages and look over a few of the established hybrids.
Met up again with Paul M, who is becoming a frequent visitor to the fell. His photographs are excellent and show what can be achieved with skill, the right equipment, and a little patience.
I use a phone camera purely because of its convenience and portability.
Those who have visited Hutton Roof will I'm sure understand!
pallens 3 (Picture: Paul M.)
66 (Picture: Paul M.)
15d schmalhausenii. Has previously had over 60 flowers, around 50 this year. One of the specimens that did not reach inflorescence last year due to the drought. Great to have this stunner back with us in bloom.
15d
15s- the sole flowering plant this year from the established hybrid trio 15a/b/c
This atrorubens has succeeded despite the competition in the gryke, mainly from Rigid Bucker Fern (Dryopteris submontana) which is nationally scarce but common on Hutton Roof, being a limestone pavement specialist.
A corner of Cumbria overlooking Lancashire and North Yorkshire
Sunday 14th July
A wet grey day (again) and I didn't fancy playing slip and slide across the limestone pavement today, so a change, checking out the Common Spotted Orchids (Dactylorhiza fuchsii).
Some lovely white specimens (var. albiflora) too.
A fairly uncommon sight in limestone country, a Heath Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza maculata) from the Burton Fell side today, and then on towards the trig point to look out for the Heath Fragrant Orchid (Gymnadenia borealis).
Only one plant was ever found by Bryan here, in the Ploverlands area around the highest point on the crag, exactly a decade ago. But another one was seen and photographed here a couple of years ago by Sandra R.
No joy with that search though, so I had to end the visit with an atrorubens.
A nice bicolour from up near the top of the fell.
Wednesday 17th July
Hybrid '8'. Two flowering plants come through this year. Both fairly frail. 'Light and lighter'.
pallens 12
pallens 12
17q. A hybrid Bryan did much work on. Good to see it back this year.
17q
17p
schmalhausenii 100
Sunday 21st July
New light green stemmed plant in the 55s area.
BLH now in flower
BLH
BLH
BLH. Those under the canopy and just out of shot are still in bud.
BLH
Plants found by Bryan in 2014, and subsequently given the working name of 'westmorlandii', but one his research over the years, and consultation with friends and experts, lead him to the personal conclusion they are Epipactis phyllanthes var. vectensis.
Special they clearly are, with some unusual features for phyllanthes.
Happily they continue to appear.
Two plants have reached inflorescence this year
Friday 26th July
A couple of hours on the fell in the early evening with local friend Mike W, checking on the progess of the BLH's, but also plenty of discussion on the history of the crags, from the Enclosure Acts, to quarrying, to the memorial bench on Lancelot Clark Storth.
If you've visited, you may know the bench, which is in an excellent position to take in the views over towards Morecambe Bay.
Photo from 2021.
Dedicated to 'BAP 1892-1986'. The bench was given by a local councillor in memory of his mother, Bertha Annie Phillips (Thanks to local historian Kath Hayhurst who included this info on a local walks leaflet).
BLH
BLH var. purpurea
phyllanthes
Sunday 28th July
A morning visit onto the fell with Alan G who wanted some footage of the Broad-leaved helleborines.
A good percentage of those under the canopy are still not in bloom, notably most of the light form specimens.
One of the few in flower
Wednesday 31st July
Would be suspiciously late flowering for an E. atrorubens even in this partially shaded spot.
Again and again the term I return to is 'melting pot' to describe what I see in this area of the fell. A melting pot of shared genetics, way beyond that of the first generation (F1) 'schmalhausenii' hybrids.
These plants have likely been exchanging genes for a long time.
Of course that's just observation and opinion, and complicated by the fact that both parent species are, as a starting point, variable themselves. And in the case of E. helleborine, notably extremely variable.
1.2m tall, too big for the biggest cage.
SW10. Still to flower.
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Plenty of pollinators about in the sunshine today.
Swelling ovaries. The small wire cage will remain until after seed dispersal.
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2024 was pleasingly a 'bounce back' year for the helleborines. Overall numbers were clearly well up on 2023.
I have been fortunate to see nine orchid species on Hutton Roof and Farleton this year.
The Heath Fragrant Orchid (Gymnadenia borealis) still eludes me, but one has been photographed here within the last couple of years, so perhaps I'll fair better in 2025.
It's great to know that nearly a fifth of the UK's total native orchid species can be seen here, and more are likely to be found in future across these carboniferous limestone hills.
Bryan's blog occasionally delved into the 'lives and loves' of the helleborines, an aspect some may frown at, but it was a blog, not a paper, and his complete dedication is clear to see.
Their heart and soul is why all his blogs were, and remain, so popular.
For now, if I can keep them available on-line, and continue to keep a few records, share some finds, and add a very slight footnote, I'll be happy.
Martin.
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