The last Orchis of the year in June in Ramsholmen in Ahvenanmaa.Orchis mascula, miehenkämmekkä

Few orchids take part to the annual fest of flowers in Ahvenanmaa every spring. Everyone who have wisited the island in this time have guite propably met Dactylorhiza sambucina, and Orchis mascula can also be found in the same area, althought it is less common than the first one. It is guite a handsome plant, and the inflorescense in longish. The flowers look little like ones of Dactylorhizas, at least more than in O. militaris. It is one of thOccuring in Finland.e orchids  which have get more common in resent years in Finland, and the species is safe at least by now. 

Rare white form. All exept for the first photo have been photographed in Sweden (Öland, Halltorps Hage).The plant only grows in Ahvenanmaa, where it is not very common in groves, but can be found with some search. I have heard a rumour of that it would have sometimes grown in Parainen, where it would have died from, but I can´t tell if it is true. 

Protected in Ahvenanmaa. 

This plant flowers from May to June. 
 
Spotted specimen. 
 
Close-up of the last.

(last page) 


  
 These pages has been made and updated by Matti Niissalo, sophronitis@yahoo.com