Orchis purpurea
lady orchid
Europe, Mediterranean, western Asia, and North Africa
Overview
Orchis purpurea is a terrestrial perennial orchid 8-40 in (20-100 cm) tall, growing from rounded underground tubers. A rosette of broad, glossy green leaves forms at the base in autumn and overwinters, followed in late spring by a stout flower spike. Each spike carries a dense, conical cluster of 20 to 100 flowers, each with sepals and petals folded into a dark purple-brown hood about 0.4 in (1 cm) across above a pale pink to white lip spotted with tufts of tiny crimson hairs. The lip is divided into narrow side arms and a broader, notched lower lobe, giving each flower the outline of a small figure. After flowering the above-ground growth dies back and the plant rests as dormant tubers through summer. It grows on chalk and limestone in open woodland, scrub, and grassland, mainly in central and southern Europe, and is scarce and legally protected at the northern edge of its range in Britain. Individual plants are slow to mature and may take many years to flower from seed.
Native Range
Native to Europe, the Mediterranean, and parts of western Asia and North Africa, where it grows on calcareous woodland, scrub, and grassland. It is widespread in central and southern Europe and rare in Britain.Suggested Uses
Grown in calcareous wildflower meadows, conservation grassland, and specialist orchid collections on lime-rich soils. It transplants poorly and is mainly maintained in place within protected habitats rather than moved between gardens.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 3'4"
Width/Spread6" - 1'
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs in late spring, mainly April to June depending on latitude. The conical spikes open from the base upward over two to three weeks. Plants in warmer southern sites flower several weeks earlier than northern populations.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 3-8 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