This species was first described by Brown from Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany in 1753. Its name means
"with the appearance of a fly" and for many years it has been familiar to orchidologists as the Fragrant Orchid.
G. conopsea is a widespread and sometimes abundant orchid with a huge distribution that covers boreal
and temperate Eurasia right through to China. In the south of its range ( France and Spain) it becomes
a montane species and is very much at home at 2500 metres in the European Alps growing alongside more
recognized Alpine species such as its close relative G. rhellicani.
In Britain it is not easily confused with other species though it will happily hybridize and a recent
example has appeared at Kenfig National Nature Reserve in Wales, where G. conopsea has been found crossed with D. praetermissa. Although hybridization amongst Dactylorhiza species is commonplace, to
find intergenetic instances is much more unusual.
There are two recognized varieties, the first being var densiflora which can be found throughout the
range of G. conopsea and favours damp alkaline meadows and fens, primarily (though not exclusively) in
montane area's. The second is var borealis which favours similar conditions but on acid or neutral soils.
G. conopsea itself will grow in wet conditions but is most familiar as a dry grassland plant on alkaline
substrates. The first eight pictures are from Hampshire (England) and depict examples growing in both
fen and dry grassland. The second two come from the mountains of the Ecrins National Park in France.
The following pictures depict two examples of the variety G. conopsea v borealis and were taken in the Yorkshire Dales. The photo's date from the first
week of July.
