Dactylorhiza saccifera

Appearance

Height up to 60 cm. The leaves are sometimes spotted. The flowers vary between dark and much paler pink, and the lower lip of the flower has a very elongated central lobe. Both the sepals and the petals are spotted or have 'loop' markings of a very dark pink or almost red.

Naming

Subspecies
Dactylorhiza saccifera subsp. bithynica (H.Baumann) Kreutz
Dactylorhiza saccifera subsp. gervasiana (Tod.) Kreutz

Distribution

Dactylorhiza saccifera is widespread but not always common; it occurs in the Balkans and in Bulgaria, Algeria, Turkey, Greece and generally throughout the central and eastern Mediterranean region.

Habitat

Dactylorhiza saccifera blooms either in full sun or in partially shaded grassy places, and it can be found in the edges of woodland, in woodland clearings and, very commonly, on roadside verges.