Bog Orchid

Bog orchid or Hammarbya paludosa is usually associated with Sphagnum mosses and is one of the most difficult orchid species to find. It is is a very small plant of acid peaty wet ground, with tiny yellow-green flowers. The flowers are upside-down compared to most orchids, because the flower stalk twists through 360 degrees (in most orchids they twist through 180 degrees). Consequently the lip, which is broad and blunt, is at the top of the flower. The basal parts consist of a pseudobulb , covered by the bases of the leaves. There are no roots , only hairs which are infected with a mycorrhizal fungus by which the plant obtains much of its food from the surrounding peat soil. The leaves of Bug Orchid are oval and they also produce abundant bud-like structures at their tips which drop off and are a means of dispersal of the plant in addition to the production of normal seed. . It is easily overlooked as it is small and well-camouflaged. Bog Orchid prefers bogs with water movement. These are extremely dangerous to walk on and are very rare..