Burnt Orchid
Orchis ustulata
Height up to 15cm

Scarce plant, locally common only on chalk downland in S England. The dull green oval leaves form basal rosette and sheathe flower stem. Flowers, which appear May­June, are borne in compact, somewhat cylindrical spikes; they are maroon in bud, at tip, but whitish when open. The result is a burnt look, reminiscent of intact cigarette ash. In close-up, flowers have maroon hood and red-spotted white lip.