Dactylorhiza maculata: Abundance along the Incles River

The Dactylorhiza maculata was the most abundant and easily found orchid during the walk in the Incles Valley. We saw numerous specimens, in good flowering condition, mainly along the bank of the Incles River, where the humidity was constant. It is an excellent sign of the health of these damp meadows in the high mountains.

Dactylorhiza maculata, commonly known as the Spotted Orchid, is a terrestrial orchid widely distributed across Europe. It gets its common name from the dark, irregular spots present on its lanceolate leaves, which is a very characteristic feature. Its inflorescence is a dense spike of small flowers, typically whitish to pale pink, which feature a wide, slightly lobed labellum with a complex network of dark purple lines and dots. It can be found in a wide variety of habitats, from dry meadows to damp woodlands.