Dactylorhiza Incarnata ssp. coccinea?

Jed · Joined: 10 Jul 2010 Posts: 14 Location: Lincolnshire, UK

I found this plant earlier this year in May. It is in an area with plenty of other Dacts, particularly D. Fuchsii and D. Praetermissa + hybrids. There were two plants next to each other in short grass at the edge of a large colony of D. Praetermissa. They are only around 15cm (6in) tall. To me, they most resemble D. Incarnata ssp. coccinea, but there is no record of this plant in this area or anywhere nearby before, so I am not sure. If anyone can help, it would be much appreciated!

Rogier · Well established Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 245

Hello Jed.

I'm not so sure if this is a coccinea. It's definately a type of incarnata (which coccinea is aswell) but the colour is not really typical for coccinea.

I added some pictures of typical coccinea's I made this year

These pictures where made here in The Netherlands so I'm not sure how well these compare to the britisch ones but from the picture's I have seen from british plants the colour is the same

You recognise them instantly, even from a distance.

Here together with a Dact. praetermissa to compare the colours.

regards

Rogier