Gymnadenia conopsea (L.)R.Br. (Orchis conopsea L.; Habenaria conopsea (L.)Benth.) including records for the following variants:
subsp. conopsea
subsp.densiflora (Wahlenb.) EG Camus, Bergon & A Camus
First record: Ray, 1660
Orchis palmata rubella cum longis calcaribus rubellis Red handed Orchies. In meadows everywhere. Sometimes found with a white flower. Ray,1660,107(89).
Orchis palmata rubella cum longis calcaribus rubellis Red-handed Orchis, with long spurs. Ray,1670:226.
Orchis palmata rubella cum longis calcaribus rubellis Martyn,1727,102.
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Bourn; Newbould. Bab.1860,225.
Comberton; Mr AG More. Bab.1860,225.
Long Stow; Newbould. Bab.1860,225.
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Sawston, n.c., 1850, SWN; subsp.densiflora, Sawston Fen, WW Newbold, 25.7.1856, det. var. densiflora PM Hall 1936, PD Sell 1992, CGE.
Sawston, in fen by railway; WWN! Bab.MS.Fl.3:715; HD.ann; Near the railway, Sawston!; Newbould. Bab.1860,225; subsp.densiflora, Sawston Moor, A Shrubbs, 6.1891, det. PD Sell 1992, CGE; Habenaria (Gymnadenia) Wahlenbergi, Sawston Fen, 1912. CE Moss, Evans,1913,232; Many on wet place in field nr railway towards Sawston, 23.6.1918, Mills ann; subsp. conopsea, Sawston Fen, AS Shrubbs, 1921, det. PM Hall; CGE.
Triplow. Relhan,1785;1802;1820; Triplow Heath, W.L.P.G., 1.6.1828, SWN.
subsp. conopsea, Nine Wells, Thriplow, CC Babington, 17.6.1860, CGE.
Triplow!; Bab.1860,225.
Specimen: ' from near Ninewells, Whittlesford 1870.' 'bank of the stream near Ninewells.' Title under drawing: 'I found it growing plentifully in a Wooded place near Ninewells, ...InJuly 1867.' This handsome Flower had its habitation near...Ninewells. ..July...1870 I visited this spot and on a rough piece of ground or moore land, on the right-hand side represented in the picture, [p.301] I found it growing in the greatest abundance, and gathered some specimens with a flowering spike nine inches in length...In June 1884 I visited the spot near Ninewells...with my cousin Albert Maynard...and searched for some time...where in June 1870 I found them so numerous but could not find one. I believe the plants were choked by the coarse grass that had grown upon this spot so prolifick. Maynard MS.13:318.CRO.
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Orchis palmata minor, calcaribus oblongis. Red handed Orchis with long spurs. In moist meadows about Cambridge; it flowers in June. Martyn,1732,2:146.
Durnford Fen. Bab.ann.225; Durnford Fen, RI Lynch, 23.8.1881, CUBG 127/81; subsp.densiflora, Dernford near Shelford, A Shrubbs, 23.7.1885, det. PD Sell 1992, CGE; subsp.densiflora, Dernford, A Shrubbs, 23.7.1885, det. PD Sell 1992, CGE; subsp.densiflora, Dernford Fen, A Hosking, 7.1895, det. PD Sell 1992, CGE; Durnford Fen, RI Lynch, 5.8.1896, CUBG 120/96; subsp. densiflora, Dernford Fen, A Malins Smith, 20.7.1905; subsp.densiflora, Dernford near Cambridge, growing with Epipactis palustris on the bog, much larger than the specimens growing on dry soil, EM Walker, 1907, det. PD Sell 1992, CGE; Dernford Fen, 4.7.1913, Mills ann; Habenaria densiflora, Hb. CC Babington, fide Moss. Evans,1913,232; subsp.densiflora, Dernford Fen, AJ Crosfield, 1.8.1923, subsp. densiflora det. PM Hall; det. PD Sell 1960 & 1992, CGE; Dernford, TG Tutin, 1939; Dernford Fen, not found G Crompton & SM Walters 26.7.1977.
Old Quarry, Haslingfield, RH Goode, 1905.
Orchis conopsea Hinton or Cherry-Hinton, In the lanes and closes. Ray, Index Loc.JM.ann; Cherry Hinton Chalk Pit Close. Ray,Index Loc.JM.ann; Cherry-Hinton. In the lanes and closes. Martyn,1763,Herbat.VIII; Cherry-Hinton. In the close called by Mr Ray the Chalk-pit Close. Martyn,1763,Herbat.VIII; C(halk) P(it Close) Fisher ann. Berkenhout,249; Chalk pit Close. ? 1833,Coleman(a),15.
Cher: Hinton Fisher ann. Berkenhout,249; Hinton. Relhan,1785;1802;1820.
subsp.densiflora, Hinton, JS Henslow, 18.6.1821, 22.6.1825, det. PD Sell 1992, CGE; Hinton (old chalk pits). Henslow ann. 2:361; Chalk pit west of the great one at Hinton. 1833,Coleman(a),15; Chalk pit on the right of the road over the great Hinton pit. Coleman(b); Old Chalk-pits, Hinton. Bab.1860,225; HD.ann; Cherry Hinton, old chalk pit, Cowell Hb. 1.7.1873; Cherry Hinton, FW Edwards, CCHSB Notes, 1905-6.
subsp. conopsea, Madingley Wood, AS Shrubbs, 6.1890, CGE.
Old pit on the ridge of the hill between Shelford & the Hills road.1833,Coleman(a),15; Chalk-pit near Shelford; WH Coleman. Bab.1860,225; Shelford clunch-pit; WHC. Bab.MS.Fl.3:715.
Shelford-common, JS Henslow, 26.6.1826, det. PD Sell 1992, CGE.
subsp.densiflora, Shelford, ex Hb. Hort Bot U.C., n.d., det. PD Sell 1992, CGE.
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Or. palmata rubella cum longis calcaribus Chesterton. In the lanes and closes Ray,Index Loc. JM.ann; Chesterton. Martyn,1763,Herbat.II; Fisher ann. Berkenhout,249; Relhan,1785;1802;1820; Chesterton; JM. Bab.1860,225.
Orchis conopsea Sweet-scented Orchis. King's Hedges. Relhan,1785;1802;1820.
King's Hedges Bab.ann.Relhan,361; King's Hedges; SW Wanton. Bab.1860,225.
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Balsham heath Smart,1856; Balsham Heath; RB Smart. Bab.1860,225.
Fleam Dyke. Smart,1856; Fleam Dyke; RB Smart. Bab.1860,225.
Fulbourn. Bab.1860,225.
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This field is a grass meadow between Anglesea Abbey and the water-mill having the Lode river to the right. The species of orchidea I found in it were as follows. Orchis conopsea Sparingly.... Jenyns,JNH,30.6.1824; Anglesea Abbey, L.J., 1.7.1824, BATHG; Anglesea Abbey. Jenyns,JNH,17.6.1826; This species is met with also ... at Anglesea Abbey. Jenyns,JNH,17.6.1826; Anglesea Abbey. Henslow ann. 2:361; Anglesey Abbey; Henslow. Bab.1860,225.
Orchis conopsea grows here & there in the High Closes, [?Bottisham] & may be found near the footpath on either side. Jenyns,JNH,17.6.1826.
Devil's Dyke, Burwell, 1907, ET in Shrubbs ann; subsp. conopsea, Devil's Dyke nr Burwell, EM Walker, n.d., CGE; Devil's Dyke Swaffham towards Newmarket near where filled in especially N side, 14.6.1927, Mills ann;' subsp. conopsea, Devil's Dyke, near Burwell, 589.641, flowers whitish tinged purple with a dark spur, PD Sell 61/290, 27.6.1961, CGE; Frequent dead fl. spikes in Hypochoeris area, Ditch Farm section, Devil's Ditch, Cttee Walk, 10.7.1987.
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Newmarket On the bank of the great Ditch called Devils ditch.Ray Index Loc.JM.ann; In and about the Devil's Ditch. Martyn,1763,Herbat.IX; D(evils) D(itch) Fisher ann. Berkenhout,249; Relhan,1785;1802;1820; L.J., 9.7.1823, BATHG; This species is met with also on the Devils Ditch...Jenyns,JNH,17.6.1826; The Devils ditch was covered with Orchis conopsea & Hypochaeris maculata both in full bloom. Jenyns,JNH,25.6.1827; subsp. conopsea, Devil's Ditch, n.c., 26.6.1829, CGE; Devils Ditch. Henslow ann. 2:361; J Downes, 6.1830, CGE; subsp. conopsea, Devil's Ditch, Hb. Lemann, 1833, CGE; Habenaria conopsea Devils ditch, Hb. JA Power, 14.6.1835, RTE; Devil's Ditch. Bab.ann.Relhan,361; subsp. conopsea, Devil's Ditch!; Rev J Downes. Bab.1860,225; subsp. conopsea, Devil's Dyke, n.c., 1903, CGE; Devil's Ditch, 9.7.1914, Gregor,ann.
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Embankment of old railway W of Shudy Camps, 603.445, with O. apifera, JCA Rathmell, 8.7.1993.
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Weston Colville, CEM.ann.
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Chippenham Moor, AF.ann; Chippenham Fen, Fryer and Bennett, 1883. Bennett,1899,245; subsp. conopsea, Chippenham Fen, AS Shrubbs, 1886, CGE; Chippenham Fen, A Hosking, 12.9.1899, CUBG 184/99; subsp.densiflora, Chippenham Fen, RH Lock, 16.7.1900, det. PD Sell 1992, CGE; CE Moss, 13.7.1910, det. PD Sell 1992, CGE; T Stephenson, 1922, DHM; Chippenham Fen, JL Crosby, 1937; EA George, 1940; DES[treeter?], 1945; Chippenham Fen, ND Simpson, 10.8.1947, PVT; subsp.densiflora, Chippenham Fen, SM Walters, 16.9.1949, ripe fruit, det. PD Sell 1992, CGE; Chippenham N. field mainly Molinetum now. Epipa & Gymna v.g. SM Walters field notebook. 27.7.1960; Chippenham Fen, fine display, P Wright et al., 23.7.1972, [R]; fairly widespread in Compts 1, 2, Compts 4, 11 & 13, M Musgrave, 1977; G Crompton, CD Preston, PD Sell, 19.6.1987, [R]; 647.697, JCA Rathmell, 1.7.1994, [R]; 65-69-, DA Wells & G Crompton, 12.7.1994, [R]; 66P, PH Oswald, DA Wells et al., 17.6.1995, [R]; subsp. densiflora, Chippenham Fen, 647.697, JCA Rathmell, 21.7.1996, [R]; 66P, DA Wells et al., 5.8.1996, [R].
Devil's Ditch, between Stechworth & the road from Newmarket to Dullingham. 1833,Coleman(a),15; Devils Ditch between Stechworth & the road to Dullingham. Coleman(b); Devil's Ditch. Bab.1860,225; HD.ann.
No Gymnadenia found, although quite a few D. fuchsii present, Devil's Ditch, BD Jones and JW Clarke, 15.7.1977; Devil's Dyke, E of the Running Gap, 1 fl., BD Jones, 1977; No Gymnadenia, though Anacamptis frequent in Lizard orchid area, Devil's Ditch, L Farrell & DR Donald, 21.7.1977; 66F, JCA Rathmell, 14.6.1994, [R].
Newmarket Heath J.D., 20.6.1830, NTM.
