Orchis purpurea, Hudson, Fl. Angl., 1762

D. M. Moore (ed.), 1980, CCIII Orchidaceae, Flora Europaea, Vol 5: Alismataceae to Orchidaceae, Camebridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 325-350 : 340

14. O. purpurea Hudson, Fl. Angl. 334 (1762).

Tubers ellipsoid or subglobose. Stem 30-80 cm, erect, with 3-6 leaves in the lower half, and sheaths above, naked in the uppermost part. Leaves oblong or oblong-ovate. Spike cylindrical, many- flowered. Bracts ovate-lanceolate, usually much shorter than ovary. Perianth-segments all convergent into a galea; outer 12- 14 mm, ovate, acute, brownish-purple on the outside; inner somewhat shorter, linear-lanceolate; galea brownish-purple, or pink and with dense purple spots. Labellum (8—)10—15 mm, longer than wide, white or pink with purple spots, 3-lobed, rarely indistinctly lobed or subentire; lateral lobes oblong- linear, truncate; middle lobe usually obcordate, sometimes triangular, often rather orbicular, 2-lobed, the lobules usually obovate-oblong, truncate, crenate-dentate, rarely rounded or acuminate, with a rather large tooth between. Spur shortly cylindrical, directed downwards, -£-4 as long as ovary. 2n=40, 42.

From Denmark southwards to N. Spain, Sardegna, N. Greece and Krym. Al Au Be Br Bu Co Cz Da Ga Ge Gr He Ho Hs Hu It Ju Po Rm Rs (W, K) Sa Tu.