Not to be confused with : the tree Monkey-Puzzle [aka Chile Pine] (Araucaria araucana) nor with Monkeyflowers such as Monkeyflower (Mimulus guttatus) [plants with similar names belonging to differing families].
Easily mistaken for : Lady Orchid and Military Orchid, which can be distinguished from each other by the shape of the lip (with body and 'limbs'). [All three have longish hoods which curve upwards at the end].
Hybridizes with :
- Lady Orchid (Orchis purpurea) to produce Orchis × angusticruris which was found in Oxfordshire in one hectad in 2006 but hasn't since been seen.
- Man Orchid (Orchis anthropophora) to produce Orchis × bergonii which was found in one site in Kent in 1985.
- Military Orchid (Orchis militaris) to produce Orchis × beyrichii which occurred up until 1850's in the mid-Thames valley.
So, all in all, there are no hybrids still extant in the UK.
No relation to : Monkeyflower (Mimulus guttatus) [a plant with similar name].
Although some or all the photographs above were taken in France, this Orchid does grow in the UK too. Un-like all other orchids, the flowers in the flowering-spike open from the top of the spike first before working their way downwards, giving it an unkempt appearance.
Likes to grow in more open places than either Military Orchid or Lady Orchid, on well-drained chalky grassland soils facing south in sunny positions. Or on the edges of woodland. It smells of vanilla as does Military Orchid. The spur at the rear of the flower is stubby and stout.
It is classed as 'Vulnerable' in the W&C Act Schedule 8.
The samples growing in Kent are darker-flowered and significantly more robust and taller than those in Oxfordshire. Grows in a more open habitat than either Military Orchid or Lady Orchid on chalky and well-drained soils on the side of hills/valleys facing south. Also in woodlands.
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