John and Gerry's   Orchids of Britain and Europe

Home The genus ORCHIS

Orchis:   from Gr -testicle, because of pairs of tubers. 

The species
O. anthropophora  
O. boryi
O. collina
O. fragrans
O. italica
O. lactea
O. langei
O. laxiflora          
O. mascula            
O. morio               
O. palustris
O. papilionacea
O. pauciflora
O. picta
O. provincalis
O. punctulata
O. purpurea          
O. quadripunctata
O. simia                
O. syriaca
O. tridentata
O. ustulata            
The Orchis genus is represented throughout Europe from Scandinavia in the north, the Canaries in the south west and the Caucasus in the east.  There are between 50-60 species which are currently subject of much investigation and rearrangement.  
Most species have flowers varying in shades of pink and purple although several have yellow flowers.    Flower have lips that are generally simple to three-lobed, commonly spotted down the centre.  Insect pollination and most species have obvious flower spurs.

Usually characterised by a basal rosette of leaves that are spotted in some species.  Some species can be up to 1m high.

Current genetic studies have resulted in members being transferred to other closely related genera (Anacamptis and Neotinea) but also the monotypic Aceras genus being transferred into this genus.   

Flower spike of Orchis mascula, Kent, UK.