About Dactylorhiza maculata (L.) Soó
Dactylorhiza maculata, also known as the heath spotted orchid, usually grows 15–45 centimetres (5.9–17.7 in) tall, and can reach a maximum height of 70 centimetres (28 in). These plants are tuberous geophytes, which form buds in underground tubers—organs that annually produce new stems, leaves, and flowers. They are also terrestrial orchids, meaning unlike epiphytes, they do not grow on other large plants. This orchid has an erect, glabrous, cylindrical stem with a streaked surface. Its leaves are oblong or oval-lanceolate, marked with dark ellipsoid-shaped spots on the surface, a feature that gives the species its name. The leaves are amplexicaul, and can be either basal (growing from the base of the stem) or cauline (growing along the stem). The underground portion of the stem holds two tubers, each deeply divided into several lobes or tubercles, a trait characteristic of the genus Dactylorhiza. The first tuber mainly functions to supply nutrients to the current growing stem, while the second stores nutrients to support the new plant that will develop the following year. The inflorescence is 5–15 centimetres (2.0–5.9 in) long, and is made up of flowers arranged in dense spikes. Flowers grow from the axils of membranous, lanceolate-shaped bracts. Flower colors range from light pink to purple, or may be white with darker streaks that are mostly found on the labellum, and sometimes on the margins of tepals. Fully developed flowers average 10–15 millimeters across. These flowers are hermaphrodite and pollinated by insects. The heath spotted orchid prefers sunny locations on lowlands or hills. It can grow in slightly damp meadows, dry forest undergrowth, areas with shrubs, and along stream edges. It grows on both siliceous and calcareous substrates, at elevations up to 2,200 metres (7,200 ft) above sea level. In Northern Europe, this species flowers from June to July. Orchids in the genus Dactylorhiza are mycorrhizal generalists. D. maculata has been recorded forming mycorrhizal associations with a range of common fungal species in the Tulasnellaceae, alongside species in the Ceratobasidiaceae and Sebacinales. This species is pollinated by insects, especially bumblebees. Its flowers are food deceptive, meaning they do not produce nectar for visiting pollinators.
