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Orchidaceae
Peat Orchid
Dactylorhiza maculata
Wild elegance thriving in humble bogs.
- Family
- Orchidaceae
- Genus
- Dactylorhiza
- Native to
- Europe, North Africa, western Asia
- Bloom season
- Late Spring, Summer
- Type
- terrestrial orchid
- Height
- 20–60 cm
- Sunlight
- full sun to part shade
- Soil
- acidic, moist, peaty
- Water
- moderate to high
- Hardiness
- 4–8
- Lifespan
- perennial
Did you know
- Also called the heath spotted orchid due to the dark spots on its leaves and lip petal.
- The genus name Dactylorhiza means 'finger root', describing its finger-like tuber divisions.
- It is one of the most common wild orchids in Europe, found from sea level to alpine meadows.
- Unlike tropical orchids, it is fully hardy and grows in boggy meadows, heaths, and fens.
- It practices food deception — it offers no nectar but mimics nectar-rich flowers to lure pollinators.
Color meanings
Pink
wild grace
Purple
natural nobility