Monkton Nature Reserve provides the perfect habitat for a number of rare orchid species. Over the past few years there has been a marked increase in both the size of specimens, and the number of large groups of plants.

Flowering finished for 2008

Common Twayblade (Listera ovata)
Species first found on 24 May 2006.

Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera)
c. 150-200 plants annually.

Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis)
The Pyramid Orchid has been slow to increase its numbers but now seems to be spreading.

Southern Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza praetermissa)
About 200 plants. Spreading around the reserve into many new locations. Plant site of both Dactylorhiza species is low down and usually damp.

Common Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsil)
About 50 plants. Some plants in this location may be crosses.

Leopard Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza praetermissa var. junialis)
This is thought to be a hybrid cross between D. praetermissa and D. fuchsil.

Lizard Orchid (Himantoglossum hircinum)
At least 5 plants this year.

Fragrant Orchid (Gymnadenia conopsea)

Man Orchid (Aceras anthropophorum)
200/230 plants. Spreading fast - Plants in many new locations this year.

Tongue Orchid (Serapias cordigera)
One plant in 1996/1997*

*The occurrence of the Tongue Orchid can probably be traced to a local grower, living some 300m from the nature reserve. This lady brought a number of specimens over from Spain many years ago and has maintained a colony of plants in pots on her patio.