Early purple orchid, Satirión manchado

Description:

Orchis mascula is an orchid with stems up to 50–60 centimetres of height, 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 pink to violet. 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.

Habitat:

Small prairie in a dispersed Holm oak forest

Notes:

Camera Model: NIKON D300. Exposure Time: 1/60 sec. f/32; ISO Speed Rating: 400. Focal Length: 90.0 mm. Flash fired