Anacamptis pyramidalis

Why it’s special
No guide to the flora of the Isle of Wight would be complete without the Pyramidal Orchid, so common on the Island’s chalk downs that it has been declared the County flower! This attractive orchid takes years – working underground as a bulb and relying on the presence of a specific fungus in the soil – to produce leaves and its highly distinctive pyramidal shaped purple-pink flower head, which is effectively a densely packed cluster of flowers.

Where to find it
The Pyramidal Orchid flowers freely on agriculturally unimproved chalk grassland – particularly at Arreton Down, a Site of Special Scientific Interest-classified Wildlife Trust nature reserve.

What else is there on Arreton Down?
A wonderful array of rare flora and fauna flourish in this steep southfacing chalk downland in the centre of the Isle of Wight. These include the nationally scarce Bastard Toadflax and Fragrant Orchid and large numbers of Brown Argus and Chalkhill Blue butterflies. The Great Green Bush Cricket, with its distinctive loud call, is well established on Arreton Down and the rare Field Cricket has been released on the site as part of the national Species Recovery Programme.

Best time to see
Summer.

Find out more:
www.hwt.org.uk/files/arretond2.pdf
OS Grid Reference: SZ 538 871
Open access year round
Footpaths leading across the Down are not surfaced

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