Southern Early Purple
Height: 10-30cm
Colour: Purple, Pink or White
Flowering: March to June
Soil type: Limestone (to rarely slightly acidic)

This is a small orchid, often found in clusters with all three colour variants present. The flowers have two very upright sepals either side of a loose hood above the main part of the flower. The stem may be flushed with purple. The central part of the flower is generally paler and decorated with darker spots, also it is also folded vertically, giving a narrow appearance. The spur which projects from the back of the flower is slightly up-curved and twice as long as the main lobe.

The favourite habitat of the early purple orchid is in full sun or partial shade in rocky limestone areas, garrigue, scrubland and woodland clearings to an altitude of 2000m. (It can also be found in slightly acidic soils in pastures.)

Synonyms: Orchis olivetorum, Orchis mascula subspecies olbiensis

These images of orchids were taken in Southern Spain, many terrestrial species are widespread from the Iberian peninsular eastwards through the Mediterranean region.

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Name

Email

Website

Comment

smaller | bigger

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment