Eifel Germany part 3: Dactylorhiza

[RobS]

Several grasslands we visited contained Dactylorhizas. Mainly in the more wet grasslands up to marshy ones. Dactylorhizas are difficult to identify even by the specialist as they easily hybridize when they occur in mixed populations.

Dactylorhiza habitat



Dactylorhiza praetermissa southern marsh orchid or leopard marsh orchid found in the most wet grasslands / marshes.





Dactylorhiza maculata (probably)





Dactylorhiza maculata x Dactylorhiza majalis not sure on the identification of this one.



Another recent change Dactylorhiza viridis synonym Coeloglossum viride the frog orchid.



In the location where the habitat picture was taken a lot of Phyteuma orbiculare? were flowering. A lot of insects where attracted by them most spectacular some green iridescent butterflies.

Adscita geryon or Adscita statices Both could be the same or different species the first should be a male the seccond a female.

[RosieC]

Really cool. I love seeing that first shot with them showing in the grass as well as seeing the closeups.

Dactylorhiza is the only genus I have ever seen in the wild. I was told there were Dactylorhiza fuchsii, Dactylorhiza purpurella and Dactylorhiza maculata ssp ericetorum in the area, but I believe the ones I saw were likely hybrids of these. They ranged in colour from the purple of purpurella to much paler like the other two and every shade in between.

[camille1585]

Love the bug pics!!
Can't believe that you are seeing so many orchids! Looks like some areas have more than others. I've searched around here (in the Veluwe) but all I found was a Orchis mascula, marsh orchid and some epipactis.

[Tindomul]

Gorgeous, love the D. maculata