288 
BRITISH WILD FLOWERS. 
5. —THE MARSH ORCHIS. (Orchis latifolia, Lin.) 
Synonyme_ O. laxiflora, E. B. 
Engravings. —Eng. Bot., t. 2308, and Supp., t. 2828 ; 2nd ed., 
t. 1200 and 1199* ; and our fig. 2, in PI. 56. 
Specific Character.— Knobs imperfectly palmate. Lip convex, 
crenate, slightly three-cleft; spur conical. Bracteas longer than the 
flowers. Stem hollow. [Smith.) 
Description, &c. —This species is exceedingly ornamental, particularly in its flowers. The flowers, which 
are large, and generally of a deep red, appear from May to July; but vary botli in the time of flowering and 
in the colour of the flowers, according to the soil and situation in which the plant grows. It grows, however, 
most vigorously on a marshy soil, and the flowers are of a finer colour. 
THE DWARF ORCHIS. (O. ustui.ata, Lin.) 
This is a little plant, seldom more than four or five inches high, which looks as though it had been suddenly 
stunted in its growth, and had never properly developed itself. The botanic name, ustulate, which signifies 
scorched, expresses exactly the appearance of the plant; which looks shrunk up, as though it had withered 
before it had fully expanded. It is generally found on dry, open, chalky downs, where it flowers in June. 
THE GREAT BROWN-WINGED ORCHIS. (O. fusca, Jacq.) 
The flowers of this curious and beautiful plant look like a number of fancifully dressed up dolls hung about 
the spike. The species is common in the woods and on the chalk hills of Kent, but it is rare in other parts of 
Great Britain. It is a tall robust plant, flowering in May. 
THE MILITARY ORCHIS. (O. militaris, Lin.) 
It seems difficult to discover why this plant is called the Military Orchis, as there is nothing of a soldier-like 
character about it. The flowers, which appear in May, are of a reddish purple, the centre of the lip being 
white, with lines of dark raised spots along the segments. 
THE SPOTTED ORCHIS. (O. maculata, Lin.) 
This plant is sometimes called the Palmate Orchis, on account of its tubers, which resemble those of the 
Ranunculus; or, in other words, look like a bundle of small carrots tied together. The flowers, which are 
pinkish, appear in June and July; and both the flowers and leaves are spotted all over with rather small 
spots. This species is common in most parts of Great Britain, growing in moist places on heaths and in 
meadows. 
GENUS VIII. 
THE PYRAMIDAL ORCHIS. (Anacamptis, Rich.) 
Lin. Syst. GYNANDRIA MONANDRIA. 
Generic Character.— Sepals ami petals ringent, coloured ; lip lobed, with two projecting plates along its middle, spurred at the base. 
Pollen masses with one gland, inclosed in a pouch. ( Lindl.) 
Description, &c.— There is only one British species in this genus, namely, the common Pyramidal Orchis 
(A. pyramidalis , Rich). It is generally found in meadows on a chalky soil; the flowers are large and of a 
dark rose colour, and the leaves are glossy and without spots. The flowers are densely crowded together on the 
spike in a pyramidal form, and hence the specific name of the plant. The generic name of Anacamptis signifies 
to bend back, in allusion to the position of the pollen masses. 
