Early Purple Orchid
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Orchis mascula
Common & widespread in Britain.
The inflorescence is 7.5–12.5 centimetres (3–5 in) long and it is composed of 6 to 20 flowers gathered in dense cylindrical spikes.
The flower size is about 2.5 centimetres (1 in) and the color varies from pinkish-purple to purple.
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.