Marsh orchid
Dactylorhiza hatagirea

Family: Orchidaceae

What it is like

An orchid. It grows to 45 cm high. The stem is stout and leafy. The roots are tuberous. They are slightly flattened and divided into 3-5 finger-like lobes. The leaves are 6-12 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. They are oblong and the base sheaths the stem. The flowers are purple. They are narrowly sword shaped.

There are 33 Dactylorhiza species. They grow in trees and lose their leaves.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. In Nepal it grows between 2800-3800 m altitude. In the Indian Himalayas it grows between 3,000-4,200 m above sea level. It grows in marshy open places and conifer forest.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Mongolia, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pakistan, Sikkim, Tibet

How it is used for food

The young leaves and shoots are eaten as a vegetable. The tubers are eaten.

Edible parts

Leaves, tubers, root

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed or tuberous roots.

Its other names

Local names

Hathejara, Hathpanja, Lovha, Munjataka, Nahasihukchok, Panch aunle, Salampanja, Wang lag, Wangpo lagpa

Synonyms

Orchis graggeriana Sod; Orchis hatagirea D. Don; Orchis latifolia auct. non L.; Orchis latifolia var. indica Lindley;