Orchis morio, 1753

D. M. Moore (ed.), 1980, CCIII Orchidaceae, Flora Europaea, Vol 5: Alismataceae to Orchidaceae, Camebridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 325-350 : 338

3. O. morio L .,

Sp. PI. 940 (1753).

Tubers subglobose or ellipsoid. Stem 5-50 cm, erect, with a basal rosette of leaves and crowded sheaths above. Leaves broadly lanceolate to oblongovate. Spike shortly oblong or pyramidal, rarely cylindrical, the basal flowers opening first. Bracts lanceolate, with several veins, shorter to slightly longer than ovary. Flowers purplish-violet, red, pink, green or white. All perianth-segments convergent into a galea; outer oblong-ovate, rarely divaricate, the inner somewhat smaller. Labellum up to 10x10 mm, usually glabrous, suborbicular to reniform, shallowly 3-lobed, sometimes with darker spots; middle lobe dilated, truncate, sometimes emargi­ nate, usually longer than the lateral. Spur cylindrical, almost equalling to slightly longer than the labellum, patent or somewhat curved upwards. 2/? = 36.

Europe, northwards to N. England, S. Norway and Estonia, and eastwards to C. Russia. All except Az Cr Fa Fe Is Rs (N, E) Sb.

1 Tubers 3 (1 subsessile, 2 long-stipitate); labellum plicate; spur clavate, wider towards the apex, truncate or emarginate (c) subsp. champagneuxii

1 Tubers 2, shortly stipitate; labellum flat; spur not clavate, narrowed towards apex, obtuse or acuminate

2 Spur usually shorter than ovary; outer perianth-segments 8-10 mm (a) subsp. morio

2 Spur usually as long as ovary; outer perianth-segments 6-8 mm (b) subsp. picta