Dactylorhiza maculata
Orchidaceae
May to August.
It is most common on the western half of the country
and absent from parts of the East..
See the BSBI distribution map for Heath Spotted-orchid
It grows in damp acidic meadows, heaths, moors and
bogs.
The pictures shown here were taken at the Kingcolme
Meadows
and Powerstock nature reserves in West Dorset.
Heath Spotted-orchid is a native, tuberous herb,
growing up to 50cm.
The flower spike is similar to that of Common Spotted
-orchid but is slightly rounder.
The main difference in the flowers is that the middle of
the 3 lobes of the lower lip is smaller in the Heath
Spotted-orchid.
The flowers are pale pink often fading to white.
The pictures here illustrate the column (sexual structure)
of the orchid.
There is a broad flat stigma. Above this are 2 pollinia
which contain pollen. They are attached to a linear upright
caudiole with a swollen base -the viscidium.
When visited by a suitable insect the pollinia swing
forward and attach pollen to the insect which can then
brush against the stigma of another flower.
The lower leaves are oval with slightly smudged dark
spots.
Upper leaves are narrower and more pointed.
Previous page: Heath Speedwell
Next page: Hedge Veronica
Heath Spotted-orchids on rough acid grassland, Dorset
Pale pink flower spike
Close-up of flowers showing the sexual structure (column)
Small central lobe of lower lip
Close-up of column- 2 purple pollinia above white linear
caudiole and swollen viscidium. Large flat stigma below
Fly pollinating?
All parts covered in pollen
Narrow upper and broader lower leaves
Slightly smudged spots on lower leaf
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