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Orchis purpurea. Orchis pourpre. Purple orchid. The Purple Orchid is part of the genus Orchis, largely amputated by numerous species now classified in the genera Anacamptis or Dactylorhiza. 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. Its very dark purple or pink color allows it to be distinguished from the more pink Military Orchid or Monkey Orchid. Its labellum, although similar to the Military Orchid, is also trilobed but quite wide at the base. Likewise, it is 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. It is one of the most common orchids in France. Click on the photos to enlarge

Platanthera chlorantha. Platanthère verte. Greater butterfly orchid. Rather widespread outside of a few departments, this orchid can be found from sea level up to 2000 meters. It grows in open meadows and in shaded areas from the end of April until July for high altitude stations. In metropolitan France, we also find Platanthera bifolia. Differentiating the two is not easy from a morphological point of view: from 20 to 60 cm, the same shades and similar leaves. It will therefore be necessary to approach it closely and observe the inside of the flower. The anthers are distant and trapezoidal in shape for chlorantha and tight and parallel for bifolia. The first views of these two species will therefore illustrate this point. Click on the photos to enlarge

Ophrys fusca. Ophrys brun. Dark bee orchid Syn: Ophrys funerea, Ophrys lupercalis, Ophrys sulcata , Ophrys from the south and southwest of France, this Ophrys poses in theory few identification problems. It is part of the Pseudophrys like the Ophrys lutea. The labellum is relatively elongated, furrowed more or less deeply in its central part, devoid of humps . What is not visible is its pollination by specific insects (usually hymenoptera) which position themselves with their abdomen facing the reproductive organs, which is the opposite of other Ophrys. Despite this particularity, hybrids are possible with Ophrys. . Species determination can be complex because authors do not agree, sometimes grouping certain taxa together and sometimes multiplying species. You will therefore sometimes find a single species: Ophrys fusca (Brown Ophrys) with the synonym Ophrys sulcata (Furrowed Ophrys). ), and Ophrys lupercalis (Ophrys lupercalis) or the 3 very distinct species as well as many others. Pierre Delforge even indicates that O. fusca is not present in France... in defiance of the official classification. It's not better with Remy Souche...the two often contradict each other. Each author or local botanist is convinced that he holds the truth of course as to the name or as to its identification criteria, its flowering period ... but in view of the divergent opinions, it is preferable to refer to the official classification as long as that research has not been able to determine with certainty whether these are different species or simply local variations. When the search for precision leads to a complexity marked by manifest errors, it is better to return to a saving simplification. I have therefore attempted here to present views respecting the most striking distinctive elements of determination. Click on the photos to enlarge

Serapias lingua. Serapias en langue. Tongue orchid. Serapias cannot be confused with any other species of orchid. Identifying them from each other will sometimes be more complex because it is normally necessary to explore their interior. Most species (the most common) are fortunately easily identifiable from their morphological appearance. Doubt will remain when certain species coexist and hybrids may appear. Essentially Mediterranean, some species are found in the southwest quarter and go up to Vendée. Sporadic appearances are observed elsewhere and notably in the Paris region, but the development remains random and these are rarely viable populations due to the lack of pollinating insects. Nevertheless, serapias develop several tubers and can thus, when conditions are favorable, multiply vegetatively, thus constituting small colonies without having been pollinated. Depending on the region, flowering will take place from April to June. Serapias lingua is a species widespread south of a diagonal that goes from Brittany to Nice. Its presence does not of course stop at the French borders. Few flowers on each foot, a dark pink glabrous labellum and a remarkable dark callus. Size from 10 to 30 cm. Click on the photos to enlarge

Dactylorhiza fuchsii. Orchis de Fuchs. Common spotted orchid. Some Dactylorhiza will be difficult to identify because each species varies and hybrids are common. In some regions, these hybrids are more numerous than the type species. Observing Dactylorhiza is proof that once again, some specialists tend to segment and name what are sometimes only varieties. Evolution is certainly underway, but it will not happen on the scale of current humanity. Patience! I will therefore only present a few species, those whose identification remains certain. Dactylorhiza fuchsii is a plant that likes many environments, dry or humid but rather on calcareous soil. The flowers are quite colorful but we will not trust the very variable designs, rather the cutting of the cut labellum which forms a pronounced point. Click on the photos to enlarge

Epipactis microphylla. Epipactis à petites feuilles. Small leaved helleborine. Undergrowth plant with small, short, thin leaves. The flowers are also small, as long as you can see them, because they can be self-pollinating...and not open. In fact, you go directly from the bud to the seed capsule. When they open (in the evening), the flowers give off a noticeable vanilla-scented fragrance. In Epipactis, the labellum is divided into two parts: the hypochile, concave, contains more or less nectar, which gives it a shiny appearance, and the epichile, often pointed, sometimes folded, with a complex appearance, rarely smooth and covered with bumps, hollows or furrows that allow insects to cling while they draw nectar. Petals and sepals are generally of the same color, more or less greenish. The pollinia, once stuck on the head of the insect, slowly disintegrate, which allows several flowers to be fertilized. Click on the photos to enlarge

Neotinea maculata. Orchis intact (ou maculé). Dense flowered orchid. Another discreet plant of greenish to beige pastel color with touches of red, purple or brown. It often measures 10/15 cm at most and can reach 30 cm. 2 to 3 leaves at the base and possibly another sheathing one. The inflorescence is dense with small and rather closed flowers. The flowers appear disordered, which is rather rare in orchids. A plant from the Mediterranean region, it is only found in the south of France and on the Atlantic coast (including western Brittany). Click on the photos to enlarge

Epipactis helleborine. Epipactis à larges feuilles. Broad-leaved helleborine. Epipactis helleborine is the most common species in the genus in France. Generally large, its dimensions vary however between 20 cm and 1 meter. At the foot, there is a group of dense and large leaves. This is one of the main characteristics of the species. They can be alternate and dystic or without any particular arrangement and arranged regularly around the foot. The flowers are most often colored with variations depending on the floral parts (petals, labellum). However, we will find some individuals of an almost uniform color and varying from beige to pale green. In Epipactis, the labellum is divided into two parts: the hypochile, concave, contains more or less nectar, which gives it a shiny appearance, and the epichile, often pointed, sometimes folded, with a complex appearance, rarely smooth and covered with bumps, hollows or furrows that allow insects to cling while they draw nectar. Petals and sepals are generally of the same color, more or less greenish. The pollinia, once stuck on the head of the insect, slowly disintegrate, which allows several flowers to be fertilized. Click on the photos to enlarge

Epipactis palustris. Epipactis des marais. Marsh helleborine. One of the most beautiful orchids in France due to its very "tropical" or exotic appearance. The floral elements of Epipactis are complex and sometimes very colorful. But the flowering of the majority of species is often late (from June to August) and for many species takes place in the undergrowth. They are therefore not very noticeable at this relatively late time. New species are discovered (or named) regularly in Europe. The genus Epipactis is also very widespread in the northern hemisphere. Species hybridize easily within the genus, which will sometimes complicate identification. For Epipactis palustris, confusion is almost impossible: it is found in a humid environment (possibly flooded part of the year), the fairly numerous flowers are generally hanging but open. The labellum is quite long with a beautiful white ending. The pubescent foot measures from 20 to 60 cm with a few more or less sheathing leaves at the base. The species is relatively rare but when the biotope suits it, its dissemination can be rapid and the plants very abundant. This species is naturally visited by very many pollinating insects. In Epipactis, the labellum is divided into two parts: the hypochile, concave, contains more or less nectar, which gives it a shiny appearance, and the epichile, often pointed, sometimes folded, with a complex appearance, rarely smooth and covered with bumps, hollows or furrows that allow insects to cling while they draw nectar. Petals and sepals are generally of the same color, more or less greenish. The pollinia, once stuck on the head of the insect, slowly disintegrate, which allows several flowers to be fertilized. Click on the photos to enlarge

Ophrys lutea. Ophrys jaune. Yellow bee orchid. Ophrys from the Mediterranean region, this Ophrys poses few identification problems due to its labellum largely edged with yellow. Petals and sepals are also a pronounced yellow, washed with green most often. In addition, it offers little variability. It is found in the south and southwest of France (1 subspecies in Corsica) on fairly dry land: wasteland, scrubland mainly. Measuring from 15 to 30 cm, the stem bears a few flowers which bloom from the end of March to the beginning of June depending on the region. Click on the photos to enlarge

Dactylorhiza maculata . Orchis maculé. Heath spotted orchid. Some Dactylorhiza will be difficult to identify because each species varies and hybrids are common. In some regions, these hybrids are more numerous than the type species. Observing Dactylorhiza is proof that once again, some specialists tend to segment and name what are sometimes only varieties. Evolution is certainly underway, but it will not happen on the scale of current humanity. Patience! I will therefore only present a few species, those whose identification remains certain. Dactylorhiza maculata is a plant that likes many environments, dry or humid but rather on calcareous soil. The flowers are quite colorful but white is often very present. The labellum does not have the characteristic tip of Dactylorhiza fuchsii but confusion remains possible on intermediate individuals possibly hybrids. Click on the photos to enlarge

Neottia ovata . Listere à feuilles ovales. Common twayblade. Orchid of undergrowth generally but it will sometimes be found in full light too. The species is common everywhere in France and at all altitudes. Very easy to identify by its inflorescence and its two large oval leaves in opposition. The flowers have green colors, sometimes almost yellowish and can be tinged with purple traces. The shape of the labellum presents important variations in shape but the general appearance remains typical. The plant measures from 10 to 60 cm. The flower stem can sometimes take curved shapes. The secret flower of nectar to attract pollinators. Flowering extends over a wide period from the beginning of May until July depending on the department and altitude. Click on the photos to enlarge