Close-up image of an albino Lady Orchid Orchis purpurea photographed in Kent.

The absence of anthocyanin pigments results in a green coloured hood and no red marking on the lip.

The fact that the hood is green, rather than white, as in the albino Monkey Orchid (MN033, MN058, MN059), reflects the evolutionary origin of these flower parts from sepals. The green colour is due to the presence of chloroplasts within the hood tissue.

The tiny Burnt Orchid throws up similar green and white albino variants.

Ref: MN0031

Location: Kent