Orchis mascula, (L.) L., 1755

D. M. Moore (ed.), 1980, CCIII Orchidaceae, Flora Europaea, Vol 5: Alismataceae to Orchidaceae, Camebridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 325-350 : 340-341

18. O. mascula (L.) L.,

FI. Suec. ed. 2, 310 (1755).

Tubers subglobose or ellipsoid. Stem 20-60 cm, erect, with 3-5 leaves in lower half and with sheaths above. Leaves oblong-oblanceolate to narrowly oblong, sometimes with purple spots. Spike ovoid or cylindrical. Bracts lanceolate, 1 - to 3-veined, usually as long as ovary. Flowers purple to pink. Outer perianth-segments 6-8 mm, ovate or oblong-lanceolate, the 2 lateral deflexed, the median more or less erect; inner obliquely ovate-lanceolate.

Labeilum 8-15 mm, somewhat longer than wide, broadly ovate to obovate, 3-lobed; lateral lobes ovate or orbicular, obtuse, crenulate towards the apex; middle lobe almost square, truncate to 2-lobed, crenulate. Spur cylindrical, patent. 2n —42.

Much of Europe, but absent from E. Fennoscandia and the E. half of U. S. S. R. All except Az Cr Is Rs (N, E) Sb.

1 Spur longer than ovary; lateral lobes of labellum deflexed (d) subsp. olbiensis

1 Spur shorter than to about as long as ovary; lateral lobes of labellum not deflexed

2 Perianth-segments aristate-acuminate; middle lobe of label­ lum up to twice as long as lateral lobes (c) subsp. signifera

2 Perianth-segments obtuse to shortly acuminate; middle lobe of labellum not more than 1 /21/2times as long as lateral lobes

3 Perianth-segments erecto-patent, obtuse; labellum with small protuberances (e) subsp. hispanica

3 Perianth-segments deflexed; labellum without protuberances

4 Perianth-segments obtuse, lilac, the outer with brownish- purple veins; spur shorter than ovary; spike lax, few- flowered (b) subsp. wanjkowii

4 Perianth-segments obtuse, acute or shortly acuminate, usually purple; spur usually as long as ovary; spike dense, many-flowered (a) subsp. mascula