Photographs: the Burren, Co. Clare

Fragrant-orchids Gymnadenia conopsea sens lat. Lus taghla Family: Orchidaceae Three species are recognised but can be difficult to distinguish between: Chalk Fragrant-orchid, G. conopsea s.s., Heath Fragrant-orchid, G. borealis and Marsh Fragrant-orchid, G. densiflora. Flowering June-August. Perennial. Native. All have spikes of long-spurred, scented flowers that are usually pink to purplish, occasionally white, and a short 3-lobed lip, the lobes more or less equal. The unspotted leaves are long, narrow and keeled. Dry or moist heathy grassland, limestone grassland and pavements, fens, dune-slacks, cut-away bog. They prefer different habitats but over-lap

Fragrant-orchids, Gymnadenia conopsea sens lat