Dactylorhiza majalis, (Reichenb.) P. F. Hunt & Summerhayes, 1965

D. M. Moore (ed.), 1980, CCIII Orchidaceae, Flora Europaea, Vol 5: Alismataceae to Orchidaceae, Camebridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 325-350 : 335

6. D. majalis (Reichenb.) P. F. Hunt & Summerhayes ,

Watsonia 6: 130 (1965) ( D. latifolia (L.) Soö pro parte).

Tubers deeply 2- to 5-fid, somewhat elongated at apex. Stem up to 75 cm, with 4-8 distant leaves. Leaves erecto-patent, with or with­ out brown spots, the upper reaching or exceeding the base of the inflorescence. Raceme ovoid to cylindrical. Outer perianth- segments 6-12 mm, ovate- to oblong-lanceolate, obtuse. Inner perianth-segments obliquely lanceolate to ovate. Labellum 5- 14x6-15 mm, suborbicular or wider than long, entire, or 3- lobed with lateral lobes ovate-triangular, rounded or truncate, crenulate, and middle lobe triangular, shorter to longer than the lateral. Spur deflexed, conical-cylindrical,} as long as to almost as long as ovary. 2n = 80.

Damp meadows and fens.

W. & C. Europe; Baltic region and N. Russia. Au Be Br Cz Da Ga Ge Hb He Ho Hs Hu It Ju Po Rm Rs (N, B, C, W) Su.

1 Leaves with small dark spots near apex or unspotted; labellum subentire or obscurely 3-lobed

2 Outer perianth-segments 6-7 mm; labellum 5-7 mm, with irregular dark lines or spots (d) subsp. purpurella

2 Outer perianth-segments 9-10 mm; labellum 10-12 mm, with a central cluster of small spots (e) subsp. praetermissa

1 Leaves usually with large or irregular spots

3 Lower leaves elliptical or obovate, widest at or above the middle; labellum usually subentire (c) subsp. alpestris

3 Lower leaves lanceolate to oblong-ovate, widest at or below the middle; labellum usually distinctly 3-lobed

4 Flowers purplish-lilac; middle lobe of labellum without markings (a) subsp. majalis

4 Flowers deep violet-purple; middle lobe of labellum with broken loop or line markings (b) subsp. occidentalis