Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

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Orchis militaris L.

military orchid (Orchidaceae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
LocalVery strong tendencySE
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Orchis militaris grows in undisturbed meadows over chalk in the Chilterns and near Mildenhall (VC26: West Suffolk).

Bockmer End (VC24: Buckinghamshire); 2016-05-19

 military orchid / Orchis militaris: _Orchis militaris_ grows in undisturbed meadows over chalk in the Chilterns and near Mildenhall (VC26).

The end-lobes of the labellum (the ‘legs’) are much wider than the lateral lobes (the ‘arms’) in Orchis militaris, unlike in Orchis simia, and the ‘helmet’ is pale, unlike in Orchis purpurea.

Bockmer End (VC24: Buckinghamshire); 2016-05-19

 military orchid / Orchis militaris: The end-lobes of the labellum (the ‘legs’) are much wider than the lateral lobes (the ‘arms’) in _Orchis militaris_, unlike in _Orchis simia_, and the ‘helmet’ is pale, unlike in _Orchis purpurea_.

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