Seasonal Wild Flowers

Chalk Fragrant-orchid

Latin name

Gymnadena conopsea

Other names

Fragrant-orchid, Common Fragrant Orchid

There used to be 3 subspecies of Fragrant Orchid but

the Fragrant-orchid, G. Borealis, are now considered

to be separate species.

Family

Orchidaceae

Flowering season

May to July

English distribution

It is found throughout the country but is most common in

parts of the South and the North.

For a map see the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland

– Chalk Fragrant-orchid

Habitat

It grows in chalk and limestone grassland.

Description

Chalk Fragrant-orchid is a native, tuberous, sweet smelling,

perennial herb growing up to 50cm.

The flowers are in a cylindrical spike up to 13cm.

Flowers are up to 13mm across and usually a shade of

pinkish purple, but may sometimes be white.

The labellum (lower lip) is 3-lobed, and the 2 lateral sepals

are spreading and slightly bend downwards. There is a

conspicuous, slender spur up to 13mm long.

Bracts are lanceolate and green to purple.

They are green in white flowered plants.

Lower leaves are narrow, up to 15cm, slightly folded,

hooded and unspotted.

Upper leaves are smaller, lanceolate and appressed

to the stem, looking like bracts.

Stems are hairless, green at the bottom and purple

towards the top.

They are entirely green when the flowers are white.

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Chalk Fragrant-orchid, Hod Hill, Dorset

White flowered form

Closer view of flower spike - long spurs

Front and side views of flowers

3-lobed labellum, spreading side sepals

Close-up of reproductive features: column,

2 polliniums, rostellum, 2 staminodes and

2 stigmas

Lanceolate bracts, long spurs

Unspotted, folded and hooded lower leaves

Appressed, bract-like upper leaves

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