Scientific name: Dactylorhiza fuchsii subsp. hebridensis (Wilmott) Soó
Common name: Hebridean spotted-orchid
Description
Habit: Similar to Dactylorhiza fuchsii but robust, 10-40cm high, usually squat.
Leaves: 6-10 cauline leaves, near erect, spotted or unspotted, uppermost 3-5 leaves bract-like.
Flowers: Inflorescence short and dense, in a conical spike; flowers dark pink or bright crimson-red, large; lateral sepals oval to lanceolate, spotted within, spreading; labellum spreading, sides flexed forward, orbicular, entire or clearly 3-lobed, marked with dark purple streaks and lines, forming 1-4 concentric loops in the centre; lateral lobes orbicular, middle lobe prominent; spur spindly.
Habitat: Sand dunes and dunes slacks.
Distribution: Confined to the west coast.
Native status: Native
Of conservation interest: No
Variation: The leaves can be marked or unmarked.