Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

Home ⟩ Pictorial Guide ⟩ Orchidaceae ⟩ Dactylorhiza purpurella / northern marsh orchid

Dactylorhiza purpurella (T. Stephenson & T. A. Stephenson) Soó

northern marsh orchid (Orchidaceae)

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

Dactylorhiza purpurella is a north-westerly species, found in Scotland, Ireland and northern parts of England and Wales, but replaced further south-east by Dactylorhiza praetermissa.

Mainland (VC111: Orkney); 2011-05-27

 northern marsh orchid / Dactylorhiza purpurella: _Dactylorhiza purpurella_ is a north-westerly species, found in Scotland, Ireland and northern parts of England and Wales, but replaced further south-east by _Dactylorhiza praetermissa_.

The flowers of Dactylorhiza purpurella are slightly smaller than those of Dactylorhiza praetermissa, with slightly back-swept lateral labellum lobes.

Brough (VC109: Caithness); 2011-05-22

 northern marsh orchid / Dactylorhiza purpurella: The flowers of _Dactylorhiza purpurella_ are slightly smaller than those of _Dactylorhiza praetermissa_, with slightly back-swept lateral labellum lobes.

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