Northern Marsh-orchid

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Dactylorhiza purplella

Gaelic name: Mogairlean Purpaidh

Orchid ID Notes

Pale coloured orchids

Intense coloured orchids

White or green orchids

Sources of notes

For quick identification purposes in the Western Isles there are two main orchid species with rich colour like this, the Early Marsh-orchid and the Northern Marsh-orchid.

The Early Marsh Orchid only likes non-acid soil (basic) preferably the lime-rich sandy soil of the machair, like Riof or Northton. Northern marsh orchid will grow in soils which are quite acid as well as the lime ones, and is often found in damp grassland and at roadsides.

Neither Early Marsh-orchid or Northern Marsh-orchid have spotted leaves (unless they have crossed with another species)

In the Early Marsh-orchids the bottom part of the florets are narrow-looking with the sides pulled back

.Those of the Northern Marsh orchid are not "pulled back" and the bottom part of the floret appears diamond-shaped

Early Marsh -orchid

Northern Marsh-orchid

Northern Marsh Orchid Notes

	Dactylorhiza purpurella
	Very deep red-purple to magenta, sometimes described as deep-wine purple (Occasionally very deep pink)
	Dense oblong flower-head. Sturdy plant
	Dunes or marsh and fields by sea, machair and high ground
Florets click photographs for larger version
	Bottom part of the flower diamond-shaped and heavily marked with looped or dashed markings Sometimes shallowly 3-lobed or almost un-lobed The lip curling back upwards is a Northern marsh-orchid trait
Leaves	Broad, pointed leaves, erect No spots or a vague sprinkle of vague O-shaped ones near leaf tips 4 - 6 Leaves spaced along the stem
Modified leaves behind the floral envelopes (bracts)	Narrow and pointed Usually longer than the flowers
Spur on the back of the florets	Pointing downward - much shorter than the ovary (ovary attaches floret to plant) Tapered to the tip
	10 - 40 florets
Usual height in Western Isles	10 - 35cm
Crosses	x Early Marsh-orchid (Quite frequently) D. x latirella Heath Spotted x Northern Marsh-orchid (Frequently) D. x formosa
	x Hebridean Spotted-orchid (Rarely) D. x venusta x Broad-leaved Marsh-orchid (Very rare)