Dactylorhiza maculata

This orchid used to be considered a mere subspecies of d.fuchsii:slight confusion still prevails over its taxonamy and data on its habitat ,partly caused by the high variability and difficult determination of Dactylorhiza orchids .

Dactylorhiza maculata is an herb with flttened segmented underground tubers and a 6-24 in / 15 -60 cm tall stem bearing a near-the -ground crowded rosette of 3-5 laceolate leaves . From the bottom up ,the leaves get smaller and narrower . At first ,the inflorescence is short ,but it gets longer with time ,bearing numorous flowers ,0.6 -0.8 in/ 1.5 -2 cm in diameter. The flowers form a broadened three-lobed lip with a showy marking made up of dark little round spots and lines . The species grows in forests ,moors ,infertile and somewhat damp meadows ,and marshlands .It blooms between May and July and is widespread in Europe and rare in Northern Africa.