Anacamptis (Orchis) morio

Green veined orchid or Green winged orchid

Photographed Oxfordshire, 12 May 2005

Image number amorio54

The height of this species is reported as being 2 - 20 inches (5 to 50 cm). The labellum is usually wider than it is long, widths of 12 - 18 mm are normal. The species is very variable with many different colour forms in a single field. The very deep purple and white forms are less common than the intermediate colours. In this part of Southern England they seem to favour 'ridge and furrow' alkaline wet meadows, mainly colonizing the ridges and slopes. This means that they are only a couple of inches above the water line in winter. Under the right conditions it can appear in colonies numbering 10,000 or more. This species is winter green and the leaves appear in September or October in England. If there is sufficient water they retain their leaves until after flowering, usually in May.