Military orchid  (Orchis militaris)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Description

The rare military orchid earns its name from the appearance of the pink to purplish flowers (2), which look like small soldiers. They have an ash coloured 'helmet' formed from three sepals, the petals are hidden by the helmet but the white lip which projects downwards from the helmet has distinct 'arms' and 'legs', spotted with red 'tunic buttons' (4). The leaves are green in colour and glossy, and typically there is a single flower spike (2).

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