Dactylorhiza

Dactylorhiza is a genus of terresterial (ground-dwelling) plants from the orchid family (Orchidaceae). The name Dactylorhiza is derived from Greek words daktylos" (finger) and "rhiza" (root). This is because of the shape of the genus' two underground tubers. Dactylorhiza were previously classified under Orchis.

These orchids are distributed throughout the subarctic and temperate northern hemisphere : in Europe, from Scandinavia to North Africa; also on Madeira, Iceland, West Asia, North Asia, the Humalayas, North America and even in Alask.

These terrestrial orchids grow in basic soils in wet meadows, bogs, heathland and in areas sparsely populated by trees. They are tuberous geophytes. In a thickened underground stem, they can store a large amount of water to survive arid conditions.

The long leaves are lanceolate and, in most species, also speckled. They grow along a rather long stem which reaches a height of 70-90 cm. Leaves higher on the stem are shorter than leaves lower on the stem.The inflorescence, compared to the length of the plant, is rather short. It consists of a compact raceme with 25-50 flowers. These develop from axillary buds. The dominant colors are all shades of pink to red, sprinkled with darker speckles.