Northern Marsh Orchid
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Dactylorhiza purpurella
Common & widespread in Northern England & Scotland.
The flowers display broad, erect sepals; the lateral sepals measure 6.0–8.5 mm long and 2.5–3.5 mm wide, while the dorsal sepal forms a hood-like structure with the petals.
The petals themselves can reach 5–6 mm in length.
The labellum (lip) is approximately flat, measuring about 6 mm long (range 5–9 mm) and 8 mm wide (range 6–12 mm), with slightly reflexed edges.
The labellum has a blunt diamond shape that is barely divided into three lobes, if at all, and features prominent markings primarily near the midline.
Their ranges do not overlap in Britain with the Southern Marsh Orchid.
Flowers from May-July.