Dactylorhiza incarnata

Dactylorhiza orchids used to be incorrectly included in the genus Orchis. Compared to the orchids of the genus Orchis,Dactylorhizas are a younger developmental group with the center of orgin in Asia Minor .Anatomically ,Dactylorhizas differ from Orchis species mainly by their ginger -like segmented elongated underground tubers (hence the Latin name of the species -the Greek word ''dactylos''means finger).

The species name of Dactylorhiza incarnata refers to the pale pink flowers of the plant.It is a sturdy herb reaching a height of up to 36 in /90 cm when in bloom .Its stem bears 4-7 erect ,yellow and green ,mostly spotless,elongated ,lanceolate leaves. In proportion to the size of the plants,the inflorescence is relatively short ,but it is dense,consisting of 25-50 little flowers growing from the axils of the prominently large lanceolate scales .The tepals including the lip are decorated with a more or less dark colored marking . The species is highly variable in appearance and is known to have many varities and forms. As for a preffered habitat,itis fond of moister meadows and marshlands with alkine foundation . It put forth its flowers between May and July .D.incarnata is known to grow around Europe.