Scientific name: Dactylorhiza maculata (L.) Sóo subsp. ericetorum (Linton) P.F. Hunt & Summerhayes
Common name: Heath spotted-orchid
Description
Habit: Plant with divided tapering underground tubers. Rather spindly; stems slender, solid, 15-60(-75)cm high.
Leaves: 3-5 leaves, shape variable from oval-oblong to obtuse to narrowly lanceolate to linear, keeled, spotted on upper surface, largest leaves approximately half the height of the plant, sometimes hooded at apex; uppermost leaves bract-like.
Flowers: Inflorescence dense, conical to ovoid; with 15-35 relatively large flowers present, pale white to lilac; petals and dorsal sepal forming a +/- hood; lateral sepals lanceolate, erect to spreading, tip reflexed, labellum broadly orbicular, 3-lobed, flat to slightly convex, with fine pink to lilac markings or dots, or with a delicate tracery of dots and loops in a deeper shade, the middle lobe of the labellum is usually smaller than the two lateral lobes; lateral lobes rounded; spur whitish, straight, downward pointing.
Habitat: Dune slacks, pastures and meadows, acid heaths, mountains, bogs and marshes, fens and lakeshores.
Distribution: Frequent. Throughout the island.
Native status: Native
Of conservation interest: No
Variation: Plant height and flower colour can vary, as well as the size of the side lobes of the labellum.