There are several varieties and subspecies of dactylorhiza praetermissa, including ssp schoenophila, the most recently identified (in 2012), from plants previously considered to be dactylorhiza traunsteineroides, the narrow-leaved marsh orchid - characteristics are inflorescences of up to 18 flowers, reddish bracts, narrow leaves and flowers with elongated middle lobes.
The southern marsh orchid has recently been reclassified as dactylorhiza majalis ssp praetermissa; a subspecies of the broad-leaved marsh orchid.
Dactylorhiza praetermissa forms a number of hybrids, including dactylorhiza x wintonii, found in calcareous marshland, the other parent being dactylorhiza incarnata.
Common name:
Southern marsh orchid
Family:
Scientific name:
Dactylorhiza praetermissa
Synonym:
Dactylorhiza majalis ssp praetermissa
Main flower color:
Range:
Wales and the southern half of England
Height:
Between 20 cm and 60 cm
Habitat:
Wet meadows, fens, dune slacks, usually on calcareous soils
Flowers:
The two outer sepals are spreading, angled a little above the plane, while the middle sepal forms a hood with the upper two petals. The lower petal is shallowly divided into three lobes, the inner short, blunt-pointed, the side lobes wider, and it is somewhat folded down along the axis. The middle portion of the lower petal is marked with darker purple spots and patches. The spur is short, conical in outline. Flowers are subtended by a relatively long, narrow bract
Leaves:
Broadly lanceolate, (usually) unspotted, up to 20 cm long, (partially) spreading rather than erect, and generally not sheathing the stem
Season:
May to June
Rarity:
★★★★★
