There are some amazing flowers around but few can match Bulbophyllum Elizabeth Ann. Here is Heather with a real specimen of a plant carrying eighteen flower spikes.

As you can see from the close up, each flower spike carries about seven or eight individual flowers with remarkable markings, little frilly bits and a scent reminicent of fresh mackerel.

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 Now there's a title! In fact it is the title of the Orchid Conservation International Autumn 2010 lecture to be held at the Jodrell Lecture Theatre, Kew. The key to understanding any plant is careful observation and in this lecture Professor Mike Hutchings from the University of Sussex will present the results of thirty years research into a population of Early Spider Orchids, one of Britain most charismatic rare plants. You may remember my blog in April featuring Early Spider orchids on the Dorset Coast - what an amazing plant. This is a rare opportunity to really learn about a fascinating species and lots of the team at Writhlington will be making the journey up to London to listen to the lecture.If you are not busy on November 13th, why not come along too. I have included the poster here with full information.

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If you live in or near Bristol you could be in for an interesting evening this thursday (7th October) as teacher Simon Pugh-Jones will be presenting the 2010 Annals of Botany Lecture at the University Of Bristol. In the lecture Simon will talk about the origin, development and the overseas expeditions of the Writhlington School Orchid Project. There will also be students on hand to answer questions and sell you thier plants. For more information and details about how to buy a ticket visit the Bristol University Botanic Gardens website

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