Early marsh orchid
Dactylorhiza incarnata

Family: Orchidaceae

What it is like

An orchid. The stem is 60 cm long. It has 5-7 sword shaped leaves which do not have spots. The apex forms a hood. The flowers are relatively small. They are about 12 mm across. They occur densely on the flower stalk. There can be 50 flowers on a stalk. The lips have slightly folded back edges.

There are 33 Dactylorhiza species.

Where it is found

It grows in damp, wet grasslands. It suits areas with alkaline soils. It is resistant to frost but damaged by drought. It suits hardiness zones 5-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Britain, Europe (country/location of origin), Himalayas, Luxembourg, Mongolia, Nepal, Slovenia, Turkey, Türkiye

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Root

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by division.

Its other names

Local names

Mesnordeča prstatsta kukavica

Synonyms

Orchis incarnata L.; and many others