The military orchid is part of the genus Orchis, largely amputated from many species now classified in the genera Anacamptis or Dactylorhiza.

In each genus, one species is the lectotype (in synthesis, the most representative species) and the Orchis militaire represents the genus Orchis.

Orchis are tuberous orchids, usually having two which gave them their Greek name Orchis which means testicle. One of the tubers allows the growth of the plant while the second forms during this same period and will replace the original tuber gradually withered the following year. If we were to dig up an orchid (which I of course prohibit), we would therefore find the tuber of the year more or less withered, the tuber in the making for the future season and sometimes an old one totally withered from the previous year.

Orchids are fairly tall plants (20 to 60 cm), rather robust and easily spotted in meadows, wastelands or light undergrowth. The preferred soils are generally calcareous or marly and rather dry.

The sepals and lateral petals are united to form a "helmet" while the central petal (labellum) offers a fairly complex shape that varies from one species to another. Three Orchis are quite close morphologically and "coloristically": Orchis militaris (Military Orchis), Orchis purpurea (Purple Orchis) and Orchis simia (Monkey Orchis). Hybridizations are therefore possible that will not allow a certain identification.

The military orchid is rather pink with a narrow labellum in its central part itself provided with small tufts of hair.

Present in many departments (except Brittany and Massif Central due to unsuitable soil), it flowers between the end of April and the end of June depending on the region and altitude.