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Early Purple Orchid, Orchis mascula Family: Orchidaceae
Early Purple Orchid
Orchis mascula


Flowering time: April-June. Perennial

Usually grows in small groups on neutral or calcareous soils; woods, roadsides, grassland, limestone pavements.

Loose spike of (usually) purple flowers with broad lip, shallow-lobed with a central dark-spotted pale patch. Narrow, notched central lobe and erect side sepals. Leaves are usually spotted and blunt-tipped. Stem usually solid


Early Purple Orchid, Orchis mascula
Early Purple Orchid, Orchis mascula
, Dorset. May 2013

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