Arnside and Silverdale AONB

Orchids

Orchids can appear numerous in certain places, where their all-important habitat has survived.
	Thankfully this AONB, unlike many other parts of the country, has remained a refuge for them, with unimproved limestone grassland, native woodland and coppice habitats as well as the more unusual habitat of the disturbed ground of disused quarries. A crucial and fragile aspect of orchid survival is the germination of their tiny, microscopic seed. The seeds are produced in vast quantities by each flower and, being so tiny, can be blown and carried far distances in the wind to aid dispersal of the plants. The few seeds that chance to fall on favourable ground and habitat then need crucial assistance from a mycorrhizal fungus.
The seeds are so tiny they do not contain the food for energy to begin germinating. It is the mycorrhizal fungus that breaks the seed case and begins providing food for the new orchid plant. Without this the orchid seed will not germinate or begin to grow.
The AONB's Orchid list....	Lady’s-slipper Dark-red Helleborine Broad-leaved Helleborine Bird’s-nest Orchid Common Twayblade Autumn Lady’s-tresses Greater Butterfly-orchid Lesser Butterfly-orchid Fragrant Orchid Common Spotted-orchid Northern Marsh-orchid Early-purple Orchid Green-winged Orchid Fly Orchid Bee Orchid