Southern Marsh-orchid

Dactylorhiza praetermissa

The Southern Marsh-orchid is a beautiful flower that grows in wet places like marshes. Its lovely purple blooms attract butterflies and bees, making it a favorite in nature!

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Southern Marsh-orchid has striking purplish-pink flowers densely packed into a cone-shaped spike, often with darker spots and lines on the petals. Its broad, lance-shaped leaves are usually unmarked green, setting off the vibrant blooms.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassLiliopsidaOrderAsparagalesFamilyOrchidaceaeGenusDactylorhiza

Southern Marsh-orchid

Interesting facts

Wow! Each flower has a 'lip' petal with specific markings, like a secret landing strip for bees!

Wow! Southern Marsh-orchids can live for many years, returning each summer with new blooms!

Wow! Their tiny seeds are like dust, carried far by the wind to find new damp places to grow!

Wow! These orchids often hybridize with other marsh-orchids, creating unique, mixed-up flower patterns!

Special abilities

Southern Marsh-orchid can partner with tiny underground fungi to absorb vital nutrients from wet soils, helping it grow strong.

This orchid has special finger-like tubers underground that store water and food, letting it survive wet and sometimes drier conditions.

Southern Marsh-orchid flowers have intricate patterns and markings on their lower petals, guiding insects directly to the pollen for efficient pollination.

Measurements & details

Height: 20-60 cm
Flower Size: 1-2 cm
Bloom Season: Late spring to summer
Edible: No
Toxicity: None
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

honey bee

Apis mellifera

helps transfer pollen between flowers

pollinates

common carder bee

Bombus pascuorum

gathers nectar, aiding orchid reproduction

pollinates

meadow brown butterfly

Maniola jurtina

visits flowers, assisting in seed production

Traits

Flowering

Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.

Summer Blooming

Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.

Fragrant Flower

Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.

Pollinator Magnet

Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.