Bird’s nest orchid

Neottia Nidus-Avis

We are fortunate indeed that the wonderful Scottish Wildlife Trust Keltneyburn nature reserve is a site where Bird’s nest orchids can be found. They are not pretty flowers but they are an amazing example of the intricate interrelationships that develop between different organisms and upon which they depend.

The bird’s nest orchid has no chlorophyll and so cannot photosynthesise. In other words it cannot make its own food and so it has to depend on others. It can only germinate in the presence the right fungus and it derives its food from an intimate micorrhizal relationship with fungal mycelia that also interlink with the roots of trees. It needs both the fungus and the tree to survive but does not need light and so can grow and bloom in deep shade.

It is a withered old crone of a plant that frankly looks dead. It has truly gone to the dark side! It is even reputed to have flowered underground. It is pollinated by flies and maybe also by ants.

At Keltneyburn it is to be found in the deep shade under small trees where it can out compete plants that need light. It is frequently referred to as a parasite on the fungus but really it is a saprophyte as it feeds on dead materials in proximity with the mycelia. Often, elsewhere, it associates with beech trees and their fungal associates and likes basic soils. With all these complex requirements it is hardly surprising that it is rare.

Keltneyburn, as well as hosting Bird’s nest orchid, is home to Greater butterfly orchids, Lesser butterfly orchids, Spotted orchids, Northern marsh orchids, Twayblade, Yellow Rattle and Red Bartsia. It is a wildflower meadow treasure trove for saprophytes, parasites and hemiparasites. What more could a botanist want?

Photo - Creative Commons - credit Bjorn S