DENSE-FLOWERED ORCHID

Neotinea maculata

(Formerly: Neotinea intacta and Habenaria intacta)
Orchid Family [Orchidaceae]

month8may month8jun month8june

status
statusZnative
 
flower
flower8cream
 
inner
inner8green
 
morph
morph8zygo
 
petals
petalsZ5
 
type
typeZclustered
 
type
typeZspiked
 
type
typeZspurred
short
stem
stem8round
 
rarity
rarityZrare
 

May 2001, County Clare, Ireland. Photo: © Phil And Ann Farrer
Not only is the flowering spike dense with between 10 and 35 flowers, but the flowers hardly open much at all, and when they do, point every which way up. The 2 - 3 basal leaves are broad, bluish-green, and form in autumn.


May 2001, County Clare, Ireland. Photo: © Phil And Ann Farrer
Stem short, 10-40cm, bluish-green, and looks rather stubby with one or two sheathing stem leaves.


May 2001, County Clare, Ireland. Photo: © Phil And Ann Farrer
The three sepals and upper petals are creamy-green, pointed, and closely over-lap to form a sharp-pointed hood from where the three-lobed lip protrudes. The two outer lobes are pointed, the central lobe longer and parallel-sided. The flowers twist so as to all point one way. The spur is short and stubby and seems well hidden.


May 2001, County Clare, Ireland. Photo: © Phil And Ann Farrer
The flowers, now spent and going to seed.


Superficial resemblance to : Small-White Orchid but the two have very differently formed flower spike and dissimilarly shaped flowers.

Some similarities to : Lady's-Tresses such as Autumn Lady's-Tresses (Spiranthes spiralis) which are in the same Orchid Family.

Uniquely identifiable characteristics

Distinguishing Feature :

Flowers May to early June. The spur at the rear of the flower is a short 5mm long.

Habitat: limestone pavements within sheltered grykes, and rocky or gravelly alkaline soils, and sand dunes. Also grows in Hazel or Ash woodland. Found in Western Ireland only!


  Neotinea maculata  ⇐ Global Aspect ⇒ Orchidaceae  

Distribution
 family8Orchid family8Orchidaceae
 BSBI maps
genus8Neotinea
Neotinea
(Twayblades)

DENSE-FLOWERED ORCHID

Neotinea maculata

(Formerly: Neotinea intacta and Habenaria intacta)
Orchid Family [Orchidaceae]

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