Orchis palustris
Orchis palustris
Ssp elegans: Nazlı salep; Ssp palustris: Çayır salebi; Ssp robusta: Bataklık salebi
Plant to 80-100 cm, with 4-6 leaves ± uniformly arranged on stem; leaves erect, linear to linear-lanceolate, acuminate, 25 x 2.5 cm, ± folded. Spike cylindrical, rather lax. Flowers purple, rarely pink. Lateral sepals erecto-patent. Labellum variable in shape and size, ± flat, fan-shaped from a cuneate base, obovate, 9-15 x 11-20 mm, usually 3-lobed; centre whitish with purple dots ; lateral lobes ± rectangular-rounded; middle lobe smaller, entire, slightly emarginate or crenulate at apex. Spur ± straight, ascending, obtuse, ± equalling ovary. Fl. 6-7. Wet meadows and swamps, s.l.-1950 m.
W. & C. Europe, Crimea, S. Russia, Mediterranean area, Caucasia, Turkestan, Transcaspia, N. Iraq, N. & N.W. Iran.
