About Dactylorhiza incarnata subsp. cilicica (Klinge) H.Sund.
Dactylorhiza incarnata, commonly known as the early marsh-orchid, is a perennial orchid species adapted to temperate climates. It typically grows in wet meadows on base-rich soils, at elevations up to approximately 2100 meters above sea level. This species is widely distributed across Europe and Asia, ranging from Portugal and Ireland in the west eastward to Siberia and Xinjiang. It has multiple subspecies and also forms hybrids, which makes identifying the species more challenging. Typically, it produces a robust flowering spike with a hollow stem. The flowering spike reaches 25 to 60 cm (9.8 to 24 in) tall, while the full plant can grow between 15 and 70 cm (5.9 to 28 in) in total height. It bears 4 to 7 erect yellowish-green leaves that are hooded at the tip. The inflorescence measures 4 to 12 cm (1.6 to 4.7 in) long, and can hold up to 50 flowers. The labellum (lower petal) appears long and narrow, because its sides are strongly reflexed (folded back), and its tip is shallowly three-lobed. Flowers are most often flesh-colored, which matches the meaning of the species epithet incarnata, and the labellum usually has distinct loop-shaped markings. Its flowering period runs from May to mid-July, with timing varying by latitude and subspecies. This entry covers the subspecies Dactylorhiza incarnata subsp. cilicica (Klinge) H.Sund.
