Limodorum abortivum, (L.) Swartz, 1799, 1799

D. M. Moore (ed.), 1980, CCIII Orchidaceae, Flora Europaea, Vol 5: Alismataceae to Orchidaceae, Camebridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 325-350 : 329

1 . L. abortivum (L.) Swartz

, Nova Acta Reg. Soc. Sei. Upsal. 6: 80 (1799) ( Ionorchis abortiva (L.) G. Beck ).

Rhizome densely covered with thickish roots. Stems 40-80 cm, erect, robust, rigid; scales numerous. Racemes (10—)15—33 cm, lax, 4- to 25-flowered. Perianth-segments c. 2 cm, the outer oblong-lanceolate, the inner slightly shorter and narrower, violet. Labellum 1 -6- 1 -7 cm, triangular, with undulate margins, yellow and violet. Spur up to 1 -5 cm, cylindrical. 2n = 56.

Woods and shady grassland; calci­ cole.

C. & S. Europe, extending north-westwards to Belgium. A 1 Au Be B 1 Bu Co Cr Cz Ga Ge Gr He Hs Hu It Ju Lu Rm Rs (K) Sa Si.

Plants found in W. C. Portugal (N. of Lisboa), and also in N. Africa, have been distinguished as subsp. trabutianum (Batt.) Rouy, Fl. Fr. 13: 208 (1912), which has a very short spur, a sub- linear labellum and 2n = 60. It occurs intermingled with the typical form and probably merits no more than varietal status.