Dactylorhiza majalis

One of the best known and still relatively abundantly growing European orchids .Inspite of its high ecological adaptiveness ,however ,its numorous and alarmingly decreasing due to the ever-stronger pressure of human civilization.In the past ,D. majalis was in many regions a true sympol and herald of the spring and people would oftern and sucessfuly transplant it in their gardens .

When in bloom ,D. majalis is avery decorative species . It occurs in a high number of varities .The cornerstone of the plant are finger like segmented underground tubers ,which in early spring give rise to a thick ,hollow stem reaching a height 18 in/45 cm ,covered with elongated egg-shaped or lanceolate leaves in the lower part ,and smaller scale-like leaves in the upper part . The dense and relatively short infloresence bears 20 -35 pink and purple or purple flowers.The lip consists of a short,blunt spur. D.majalis grows on damp meadows and stream swaps in medium and higher elevations.It blooms between May and August and is native to Europe ,especially its western and Central regions.