Observation of Orchis mascula in Aude, France

During a recent exploration across various locations within the Aude department in France, we had the opportunity to document the presence of Orchis mascula, commonly known as the Early Purple Orchid. This species, which lends its name to the "Máscula Group," is a perennial geophyte orchid widely distributed across Europe.

We encountered numerous healthy specimens of this orchid at a specific point along the route. Among the observations, one individual notably displayed hyperchromia, a characteristic that imparts an unusually intense coloration, often seen as a darker purple in its flowers than is typical. Orchis mascula is distinguished by its basal rosette of pale green leaves, often adorned with purple-brown spots, and its intense purple or pink flowers, arranged in a dense, cylindrical spike. The Latin epithet mascula refers to its robust appearance or its testicle-shaped tubers. This observation in Aude adds to the record of its broad European distribution and the natural variability within its populations.