Early Purple Orchid
Orchis mascula (Subspecies: olbiensis) Fr: Orchis mâle
This small orchid is one of the most common in the region, although still not easy to find, and it's protected. It grows to 20-60 cm; the one in the photo was 12 cm high.
Flowers. Apr-May
Flower. The flowers grow in loose clusters of 5 to 15. The one photographed had a cluster about 5 cm long, with individual flowers 1x2 cm. The color is usually a darker purple than depicted in our photo.
Leaves. The leaves are slender are lance-shaped, about 15 cm long, and may or may not have spots.
Habitat. Higher altitudes away from the coast: woodlands, scrub and hedges.
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