Photos: John Diggin. Bull Island, Co. Dublin

Northern Marsh-orchid Dactylorhiza purpurella Magairlín corcra Family: Orchidaceae Flowering May - July. Rhizomatous perennial. Native. Rich deep purple flowers, +/- crimson-streaked, in a dense, cylindrical spike. Lip diamond-shaped, stout spur, spreading outer sepals. Leaves +/- flat, unspotted or small spots only near tip. Stems with very narrow central hollow. Identification confirmed by Ian Denholm (from photographs) Occurs on dune-slacks, machair, at lake edges and in quarries on neutral to calcareous soils. Mainly in the north, occasional elsewhere in of Ireland

Northern Marsh-orchid, Dactylorhiza purpurella, Magairlín corcra