Really cool. I
think I can see the difference... and you say they are more distinctive here than in some cases
I wonder if some of these varieties have crossed with each other, removing what used to be more of a distinction.
I know in Upper Teesdale here in the UK they have both Northern Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza purpurella) and the Common Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii) growing. What I saw could not be distinguished between the two, but looked very much like they must have been a hybrid. Surely if the populations mix enough the individual species could become indistinguishable in wild populations as there is just a constant shading into each other from one side of the scale to the other.
This is something I often wonder about wild plants. If they flower at a different time, then they can keep the populations separate, but if they grow in the same place and flower at the same time how can you ever tell the difference.
I saw a program the other day (about maths strangely) which was talking about how Cicadas of one type will emerge to mate every 7 years, while another sort every 11 years. By having prime numbers in the number of years between mating they are far more likely to avoid mating at the same time as other types and so NOT interbreed.
If orchid populations are so close and have no way of stopping interbreeding won't they merge into one population. The only reason for diversity to occur in evolution is separation of populations (either in space or time of mating/breeding).
Anyway, just my mind thinking. I've often wondered this when you and others have talked about variations and how it can be difficult to see the differences.
Spotted Coralroot
Linear Mode
