Scientific name: Dactylorhiza majalis subsp. traunsteineroides (Saut. ex Rchd.) H. Sund.
Common name: Narrow-leaved marsh-orchid
Description
Habit: Spindly, stem slender, 10-40cm high.
Leaves: 3-5 cauline leaves, linear-lanceolate, keeled, broadest in the lower half, often almost basal, unspotted or few spots close to apex; upper leaves rarely bract-like.
Flowers: Inflorescence a short, dense, conical or cylindrical spike; with 10-25 medium-sized flowers present, lilac to pale purple; lateral sepals spotted or not, spreading to erect; labellum near rhomboidal to obcordate, spreading or folded longitudinally, almost entire or 3-lobed, base and centre pale, marked with dark purple patterns of dots or streaks surrounded by broken loops; spur almost cylindrical.
Habitat: Dune slacks, bogs, marshes, fens and lakeshores.
Distribution: Scattered through the centre and west coast of Ireland.
Native status: Native
Of conservation interest: Yes