Neotinea maculata - Dense-flowered Orchid

Phylum: Magnoliophyta - Class: Liliopsida - Order: Orchidales - Family: Orchidaceae

Description

Neotinea maculata, formerly known as Orchis intacta, is a slender plant which grows to around 30cm tall but is often barely half that height. There are 3-6 basal leaves and two or three smaller leaves sheathing the rather robust (for such a tiny plant) stem. Both leaves and stem are frequently marked with reddish-brown streaks and spots. The flowers, which are packed into a dense inflorescence, are tiny, usually white and often flushed to a varying degree with pink. They have a slight vanilla scent.

Distribution

The Dense-flowered Orchid is widespread throughout Europe. It is one of the plants that makes The Burren, in County Clare, Ireland, such a special place, having as it does arctic plants such as Dryas octopetala and Scilla verna growing alongside Mediterranean plants such as Neotinea maculata. In the UK it also also occurs in the Isle of Man. In continental Europe it appears from as far North as France to as far south and east as Turkey. It is widespread in the Algarve in Portugal where it grows on roadside verges up in the mountains around Monchique as well as in the river valleys alongside paths and tracks often hugging drystone walls.

Habitat

This orchid grows in full sunshine or mid-shade and tolerates alkaline and slightly acidic soils.

Flowering times

March and April.

Hybrids and varieties

There are three varieties

• Neotinea maculata var. alba has unspotted leaves and cream-coloured flowers, and is most commonly found in Ireland.
• Neotinea maculata var. maculata has spotted leaves, and the flower lip is pale pink with a darker pink stripe along its centre. Occasionally other parts of the plant are also spotted, including the stem, sepals and petals; this variety is common in the Mediterranean.
• Neotinea maculata var. luteola has pale yellow flowers and is probably extinct in Ireland.

Etymology

The genus name Neotinea honours the Sicilian botanist Vincenzo Tineo (1791 - 1856) , while the specific epithet maculata means 'spotted'.

Acknowledgements

This page includes pictures kindly contributed by Rob Petley-Jones.

Reference sources

The Plant List

Sue Parker (2023) Wild Orchids of the Algarve - where, when and how to find them; First Nature e-book (Amazon Kindle format)

Chris Thorogood and Simon Hiscock (2014) Field Guide to the Wildflowers of the Algarve; Kew Publishing

Pierre Delforge (2005) Orchids of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East; A&C Black

Fielding, Turland and Mathew (2005) Flowers of Crete; Kew