Dactylorhiza incarnata
early marsh-orchid
Overview
Dactylorhiza incarnata is a terrestrial orchid of wet ground, growing 20-60 cm (8-24 in) tall from a pair of finger-divided underground tubers. The hollow, stout stem carries four to six narrow, keeled leaves that stand erect and hood at the tip, usually plain green without the dark spots seen in related marsh-orchids. The flowers crowd into a dense cylindrical spike 4-12 cm (1.6-4.7 in) long, each bloom 8-12 mm (0.3-0.5 in) across with a three-lobed lip whose sides fold back and carry looping crimson lines. Colour ranges widely between forms, from flesh-pink and pale lilac to brick-red and, in some subspecies, pale yellow. The plant depends on soil fungi to germinate and grow, so it is slow and unreliable to establish from seed and resists transplanting from the wild. Wild populations have declined with the draining of fens and wet meadows. Above ground the plant dies back after seeding, overwintering as the tubers.
Native Range
Dactylorhiza incarnata is native across Europe and into temperate Asia, growing in fens, marshes, dune slacks, and wet, base-rich meadows. It has declined in many areas as wetlands have been drained and is legally protected in several countries.Suggested Uses
Grown in fen, bog, and wet-meadow restorations and in specialist orchid collections rather than ordinary borders. It suits permanently wet, lime-rich ground in naturalistic and conservation plantings. Its dependence on soil fungi and wet habitat makes it unsuited to general garden use.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 2'
Width/Spread4" - 8"
Bloom Information
Flowers open from late May to July (late spring to midsummer), the spike opening from the base upward over two to three weeks. The flowers produce no nectar reward and rely on deceiving bees and other insects into visiting. Seed sets in long capsules that split to release dust-like seed.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
flesh-pink to red or pale yellowFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight