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Common Spotted Orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii 

 
 
Attracts ButterfliesButterflies are attracted to this plant
Attracts BeetlesBeetles are attracted to this plant
Perennial Life CyclePerennial life cycle
Orchid-Like FlowersOrchid-like flowers
Purple FlowersPurple flowers
2 Petals2 petals
May-Aug Flowering
period
Oval LeavesOval leaves
Smooth-Edged LeavesSmooth-edged leaves
Round StemRound stem
Fibrous RootsFibrous roots
60cmMaximum height
 
 
  Main image of Common Spotted Orchid
© 2021 Adrian Briggs
 

Common Spotted Orchid is a native perennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in chalk grassland, woodland, meadows and waste ground, to a mature height of up to 60cm.

Common Spotted Orchid flowers have a white to purple base colour with pink, lilac or purple markings. The plant has distinctive purple oval spots aligned across its lower leaves.

Botanic classification and naming: Common Spotted Orchid is a member of the Orchid (Orchidaceae) family. The genus name 'Dactylorhiza' identifies the plant as a Orchid with 'finger-like roots' and its species name 'fuchsii' means 'named after the botanist Fuchs'.

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. The Common Spotted Orchid is considered to be 'common' in the UK.

Benefits: The nectar of the Common Spotted Orchid attracts a range of insect pollinators, especially beetles. The strong perfume of the flowers attracts daytime moths.

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

 

 
Flower of Common Spotted Orchid

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Flowers:
Common Spotted Orchid usually flowers between May and August.

Flower colour:

Flower Colour Purple

Purple

Flower shape:

Flower Shape  Orchid-like

Orchid-like

Petals:

Petal Number =  2

2

Leaf of Common Spotted 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 Common Spotted Orchid

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Stem and Roots:

Stem shape:

Stem Shape is Round

Round

Root type:

Root Type is Fibrous

Fibrous