Orchis ovalis is an alpine flower very similar to Orchis mascula. Differences include very sharp sepals directed forward and crenate lip lobes, central lobes being longer than lateral ones. More over the bottom of the stem and leaves are often covered of characteristic reddisch dashes and dots.

This orchid was also ranked as subspecies : Orchis mascula subsp. acutiflora (Koch) Quentin 1993.

It blooms from April to July.