Southern Marsh Orchid

Southern Marsh Orchid

Dactylorhiza praetermissa

One of the commonest orchids in southern England. It hybridises often particularly with Spotted Orchids and other Marsh Orchids. This means accurate identification can be difficult. Generally it has the sturdiest flower stem of all the Marsh Orchids and also sturdier than Spotted Orchids too (except for the hybrids which are even sturdier!)

Generally it flowers in May to July, and has pink / purple flowers. The lower lip is quite wide and fairly flat. It has two fat out lobes to the lip and a narrow central one. Leaves can be spotted or plain green. Because of hybridisation its difficult to be certain but for me I have found flowering plants between 15cm and 40cm tall. Hybrids have been up to 90cm. The pictures below show more detail.

I tend to find them growing in slight depressions in the ground and on the edges of marshes. In all cases the ground stays a little cooler in the summer, even if it is a sunny location, due to this lower lying.

 

Places I have found them

This list is far from exhaustive!
Clifton Down (Bristol)
Berrow Dunes (Somerset)
Holme Next-the-Sea (Norfolk)
Kenfig (South Wales)
Slad Valley (Gloucestershire)
West End Pit (Cambridgeshire)