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Orchid-Early Purple (Orchismascula)

As its name suggests, the Early Purple Orchid is one of our earliest flowering orchids, appearing from April to June. This orchid is often found in habitats with non-acidic soils such as hedgerows, banks, ancient woodland and open grassland. The pinkish-purple flowers appear on a spike of medium height.

Early Purple Orchids display up to 50 dark purple flowers arranged in a dense, cone-shaped cluster on a tall spike. The lower lip of each flower has three lobes and the upper petals form a hood. The leaves of the Early Purple Orchid are glossy and dark green with dark spots, and form a rosette on the ground; they appear from January onwards.

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