H. paludosa was first described from Uppsalaland, Sweden by Swartz in 1753 and was for many years
referred to as Ophrys paludosa before being reclassified as Hammarbya by Kuntze. The species has recently undergone further review and its status as a monospecific genus has been questioned. Most authorities now consider the plant to be a straightforward member of the more widespread genus
Malaxis which although having only two European representatives, has more than 200 on a worldwide
basis
This is a tiny species which is uniformly a shiny and translucent, yellowish- green colour. Its home is
amongst sphagnum in the acidic bogs and coniferous woodlands of temperate Europe and North America.
Its insignificant size and bland colouration ensure that its never an easy orchid to locate and its overall
rarity throughout its range only serves to make this even more difficult.
In western Europe it is at it most frequent in Britain and notably the west of Scotland and in the New
Forest area of Hampshire (southern England). As with many of the species that depend on a wet habitat
(O. laxiflora, L. loeselii etc) H. paludosa is threatened throughout its range by drainage and the effects of hypertrophication.
Its unique habitat preference ensures that it is unlikely to be confused with any other orchid with the
possible but very unlikely exception of L. loeselii. This latter species does however favour alkaline soils
and whilst it may stretch to a neutral substrate it is rarely if ever found in acid conditions. The pictures are all from the New Forest and date from the last two weeks of July.
