Early-purple Orchid
Orchis mascula
Height up to 40cm

Widespread and locally common orchid of woodland, scrub and grassland, doing especially well on neutral or calcareous soils. Rosettes of glossy, dark green leaves with dark spots, appear from January onwards from which the flower stalk arises later in spring. The pinkish purple flowers are borne in tall spikes, April­June; the lower lip is 3-lobed, 8­12mm long, and there is a long spur.