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Lady Orchid Orchis purpurea 

 
 
Attracts BeesBees are attracted to this plant
Attracts FliesFlies are attracted to this plant
Perennial Life CyclePerennial life cycle
Orchid-Like FlowersOrchid-like flowers
Purple FlowersPurple flowers
6 Petals6 petals
May-Jun Flowering
period
Oval LeavesOval leaves
Smooth-Edged LeavesSmooth-edged leaves
Round StemRound stem
Fibrous RootsFibrous roots
80cmMaximum height
 
 
  Main image of Lady Orchid
© 2021 Adrian Briggs
 

Lady Orchid is a native perennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in open woodland and chalk grassland, mainly in kent, to a mature height of up to 80cm.

The Lady Orchid bears its flowers in dense spikes and gets its name from the shape of its flowers, which resemble a woman's head, arms, and a smock. The flower lower lip ('smock') and wings ('arms') are white, with magenta to purple edges and tufted spots. The flower hood ('head') is made up of sepals and upper petals and is intensely stained a dark brownish-purple. The leaves of the Lady Orchid are broad, glossy, unmarked and arranged in a rosette at the base, with a couple of leaves enclosing the stem.

Botanic classification and naming: Lady Orchid is a member of the Orchid (Orchidaceae) family. The genus name 'Orchis' identifies the plant as a Orchid with paired tubers resembling 'testicles' and its species name 'purpurea' means 'purple (flowers)'.

Concerns: Orchids, like wild flowers in general, are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) from being removed from the wild. Rare orchids such as the Early Spider Orchid, Monkey Orchid and Lady's Slipper Orchid are additionally protected from picking and damage. In the UK, Lady Orchid is considered to be an 'endangered' species.

Benefits: Lady Orchid is pollinated by small bees and flies.

Benefits to wildlife are also indicated with orange icons in the plant profile bar at the top.

 

 
Flower of Lady Orchid

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Flowers:
Lady Orchid usually flowers between May and June.

Flower colour:

Flower Colour Purple

Purple

Flower shape:

Flower Shape  Orchid-like

Orchid-like

Petals:

Petal Number =  6

6

Leaf of Lady Orchid

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Leaves:

Leaf Shape:

Leaf Shape is Oval

Oval

Or:

Alternative Leaf Shape is Elongated

Elongated

Leaf Margins:

Leaf Margin is smooth

smooth

Stem of Lady Orchid

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Stem and Roots:

Stem shape:

Stem Shape is Round

Round

Root type:

Root Type is Fibrous

Fibrous