Dactylorhiza elata, the robust marsh orchid, is a species of flowering plant in the family Orchidaceae, native to the western Mediterranean region (France (including Corsica), Sardinia, Spain, Portugal, Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia).Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant FamiliesCastroviejo, S. & al. (eds.) (2005). Flora Iberica 21: 1-366. Real Jardín Botánico, CSIC, Madrid.Baumann, B. & Baumann, H. (2005). Beiträge zur Kenntnis der Orchideenflora Nordwestafrikas. Journal Europäischer Orchideen 37: 915-938.Vázquez Pardo, F.M. (2009). Revisión de la familia Orchidaceae en Extremadura (España). Folia Botanica Extremadurensis 3: 1-367.Dobignard, D. & Chatelain, C. (2010). Index synonymique de la flore d'Afrique du nord 1: 1-455. Éditions des conservatoire et jardin botaniques, Genève.
Dactylorhiza elata is a tuberous herbaceous perennial growing to , and producing dense spikes of purple flowers in spring.
This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit (confirmed 2017).
Subspecies Many names have been proposed for subspecies, varieties, subvarieties and forms of the species. As of June 2014, the following are recognized:
Dactylorhiza elata subsp. elata - Spain, North Africa Dactylorhiza elata subsp. sesquipedalis (Willd.) Soó - France, Spain, Portugal, Sardinia
References
External links
Dave's Garden, PlantFiles: Species Orchid, Robust Marsh Orchid, Stately Dactylorhiza Dactylorhiza elata Alpine Garden Society Plant Encyclopedia Orquídeas Ibericas, Dactylorhiza elata First Nature, Dactylorhiza elata Numericable, Dactylorhiza elata subsp. sesquipedalis Tela Botanica, Dactylorhize des Charentes, Dactylorhiza elata subsp. sesquipedalis Orquídeas de Almería, Dactylorhiza elata (Poiret) Soó Miradas Cantábricas, Dactylorhiza elata