Phylum: Magnoliophyta - Class: Liliopsida - Order: Orchidales - Family: Orchidaceae
To find a recognisable orchid hybrid in the wild is exciting, but they are sometimes difficult to identify accurately because, even in relatively small groups of a single species, there can be considerable variation in the appearance of the flowers relating to shape, size, and most confusing of all, lip pattern and form.
This robust and brightly coloured hybrid orchid can be found in many of the coastal habitats where Northern Marsh-orchid and Common Spotted-orchid occur. In Wales two good nature reserves to visit to see this lovely flower are Cors Dyfi (Ynyslas dunes system near Borth) and Newborough Warren in Anglesey. It is also found inland where ground is sufficiently marshy to support Dactylorhiza purpurella.
This hybrid is unusual in that the flowers do not strongly resemble either parent and this makes the accurate identification rather difficult.
The genus name Dactylorhiza means 'finger-like roots', while the hybrid epithet venusta means 'beautiful' or 'charming'.
Sue Parker (2023) Wild Orchids of Wales - how, when and where to find them; First Nature e-book (Amazon Kindle format)
Anne and Simon Harrap (2005) Orchids of Britain and Ireland; A&C Black
Pierre Delforge (2005) Orchids of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East; A&C Black.
Please Help Us: If you have found this information interesting and useful, please consider helping to keep First Nature online by making a small donation towards the web hosting and internet costs.
Any donations over and above the essential running costs will help support the conservation work of Plantlife, the Rivers Trust and charitable botanic gardens - as do author royalties and publisher proceeds from books by Pat and Sue.