In Twos

The Twayblade Orchid is fairly common over much of the country but few people know it or could identify it. That's partly because it is hard to see and hard to find. I tried to go back to one I had seen the previous day and spent a long and frustrating time searching. That's explained by its disguised appearance- green flowers and erect stem blending with grasses etc.

It likes calcareous soil which means the only place you're likely to see it on Blacka is near the north boundary wall. I've found no more than two. And two is the number, for Twayblade is named because of the two opposite leaves at the base. I once thought it was because of the green flower being forked but apparently not.

Culpeper gives it an alternative name of Byfoil and recommends it for wounds "both green and old" and to "consolidate or knit ruptures".