Dactylorhiza purpurella - Northern Marsh-orchid - (Orchidaceae)

Dactylorhiza purpurella - Northern Marsh-orchid

The flowers of the Northern Marsh Orchid are deep purple

 

Often rather stumpy-looking but nonetheless beautiful, the Northern Marsh-orchid is often accompanied by a wealth of other lime-loving wildflowers.

The Northern Marsh-orchid typically grows to between 15 to 30 cm in height although taller specimens can occur. Difficult to distinguish from the Southern Marsh-orchid, Dactylorhiza praetermissa, the lip of the Northern Marsh-orchid has a distinctly 'diamond-shaped' and angular appearance. The lip of the Southern Marsh-orchid, is more gently rounded.

The specimen above was photographed in Newborough Warren National Nature Reserve in Angelsey, North Wales, in late spring.