Early purple orchid

Appearance

''Orchis mascula'' is a perennial herbaceous plant with stems up to 50–60 centimetres high, green at the base and purple on the apex. The root system consists of two tubers, rounded or ellipsoid. The leaves, grouped at the base of the stem, are oblong-lanceolate, pale green, sometimes with brownish-purple speckles. The inflorescence is 7.5–12.5 centimetres long and it is composed of 6 to 20 flowers gathered in dense cylindrical spikes. The flower size is about 2.5 centimetres and the color varies from pinkish-purple to purple.: 878  The lateral sepals are ovate-lanceolate and erect, the median one, together with the petals, is smaller and cover the gynostegium. The labellum is three-lobed and convex, with crenulated margins and the basal part clearer and dotted with purple-brown spots. The spur is cylindrical or clavate, horizontal or ascending. The gynostegium is short, with reddish-green anthers. It blooms from April to June.

Naming

As of June 2014, the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families recognizes five subspecies:
⤷  ''Orchis mascula'' subsp. ''ichnusae'' Corrias
⤷  ''Orchis mascula'' subsp. ''laxifloriformis'' Rivas Goday & B.Rodr.
⤷  ''Orchis mascula'' subsp. ''mascula''
⤷  ''Orchis mascula'' subsp. ''scopulorum'' H.Sund. ex H.Kretzschmar, Eccarius & H.Dietr.
⤷  ''Orchis mascula'' subsp. ''speciosa'' Hegi

Distribution

The species is widespread across Europe, from Portugal to the Caucasus , in northwest Africa and in the Middle East up to Iran.

It grows in a variety of habitats, from meadows to mountain pastures and woods, in full sun or shady areas, from sea level to 2,500 metres altitude.

Habitat

This orchid is devoid of nectar and attracts pollinating insects with the appearance of its flower which mimics other species.

Orchids in the genus ''Orchis'' form mycorrhizal partnerships mainly with fungi in the family Tulasnellaceae. ''Orchis mascula'' has been suggested to have only one mycorrhizal partner, in the Tulasnellaceae.The species is widespread across Europe, from Portugal to the Caucasus , in northwest Africa and in the Middle East up to Iran.

It grows in a variety of habitats, from meadows to mountain pastures and woods, in full sun or shady areas, from sea level to 2,500 metres altitude.

Uses

A flour called salep or sachlav is made of the ground tubers of this or some other species of orchids. It contains a nutritious starch-like polysaccharide called glucomannan. In some magical traditions, its root is called Adam and Eve Root. It is said that witches used tubers of this orchid in love potions.

Cultural

It is referred to as "long purple" by Gertrude in Shakespeare's ''Hamlet''. Gertrude: "Of crow-flowers, nettles, daisies, and long purples, that liberal shepherds give a grosser name". Among other common names it has been called 'Gethsemane' https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1365-2745.2008.01473.x#b29. .