Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

Home ⟩ Pictorial Guide ⟩ Orchidaceae ⟩ Gymnadenia conopsea / chalk fragrant orchid

Gymnadenia conopsea (L.) R. Br.

chalk fragrant orchid (Orchidaceae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
Very widespreadSlight tendencyN
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Gymnadenia conopsea s.s. excludes the plants now treated as Gymnadenia densiflora and Gymnadenia borealis; it is the most widespread of the 3.

Beckley (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2014-06-02

 chalk fragrant orchid / Gymnadenia conopsea: _Gymnadenia conopsea_ _s.s._ excludes the plants now treated as _Gymnadenia densiflora_ and _Gymnadenia borealis_; it is the most widespread of the 3.

The flowers of Gymnadenia conopsea have a clearly lobed labellum and slightly downward-angled lateral sepals.

Fischbacher Alpen, Austria; 2005-07-03

 chalk fragrant orchid / Gymnadenia conopsea: The flowers of _Gymnadenia conopsea_ have a clearly lobed labellum and slightly downward-angled lateral sepals.

All 3 species of Gymnadenia have long, curved spurs.

Ridgeway (VC22: Berkshire); 2011-07-01

 chalk fragrant orchid / Gymnadenia conopsea: All 3 species of _Gymnadenia_ have long, curved spurs.

All images copyright © Christopher J. Dixon unless otherwise indicated.

L-R: Bidens tripartita, Melilotus officinalis, Mimulus guttatus, Thalictrum flavum, Ranunculus peltatus, Anchusa arvensis, Malva alcea, Lolium perenne