Читать книгу Walking in the Dordogne. 35 walking routes in the Dordogne - Sarlat, Bergerac, Lalinde and Souillac онлайн

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The most exciting aspect of this area for any flower-lover in spring and early summer is the multitude of wild orchids in the fields and woods, not just the odd specimen but large clusters of them. Some of the most impressive are the tall lizard orchids and the lovely dark lady orchids. Many grow on grassy verges, where you will frequently see early purple, pyramidal, white butterfly and fragrant orchids, whereas red and white helleborines thrive in shady woodland. Other less common varieties are the purple loose-flowered orchids, the curious tongue orchids and the ophrys varieties of bee orchid.

Clockwise from left: Lady orchid, Wild tulips, Pyramidal orchid, autumn flowering Cyclamen, Star of Bethlehem.

Suggested books:

 A Naturalist’s Guide to the Wild Flowers of Britain and Northern Europe, by A Cleave and P Sterry (John Beaufoy Publishing)

 Field Guide to Orchids of Britain and Europe, by Karl Peter Buttler (Crowood Press)

 Wild Flowers of the Mediterranean, by David Burnie (Dorling Kindersley Eyewitness Handbook)