Dactylorhiza praetermissa, the southern marsh orchid[2] or leopard marsh orchid, is a commonly occurring species of European orchid.

Description

Dactylorhiza praetermissa grows to 70 cm (28 in) tall, with leaves generally unspotted. The flowers, appearing from May to July, are various shades of pink with variable markings. The basal lip of the flower is rounded.[3]

This species is able to form hybrids with other Dactylorhiza species, and crosses with Dactylorhiza fuchsii occur especially often.[4]

Distribution and habitat

It is native to northern and central Europe (Britain, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Estonia and Latvia). It is also reportedly naturalized in Italy and in parts of Canada (Ontario and Newfoundland).[1][5]

This species is found close to water, in damp alkaline meadows, by ponds, lakes or reservoirs and in dune slacks.

Ecology

The flowers of this species are pollinated by insects including the cuckoo bee and skipper butterfly.[6]

Dactylorhiza are known to be mycorrhizal generalists.[7] D. praetermissa has been shown to benefit from association with fungal species in the genus Rhizoctonia and others in the Tulasnellaceae family.[8][9]

Subspecies and varieties

Many names for infraspecific taxa have been proposed. At of June 2014, the following are recognized:[1]

  1. Dactylorhiza praetermissa var. junialis (Verm.) Senghas - Britain, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Canada
  2. Dactylorhiza praetermissa subsp. osiliensis (Pikner) Kreutz - Sweden, Estonia
  3. Dactylorhiza praetermissa subsp. praetermissa - Britain, Denmark, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy
  4. Dactylorhiza praetermissa subsp. schoenophila R.M.Bateman & Denholm - Britain

References

  1. ^ a b c Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  2. ^ David Chapman (2008). Exploring the Cornish Coast. Penzance: Alison Hodge. p. 51. ISBN 9780906720561.
  3. ^ First Nature - Dactylorhiza praetermissa
  4. ^ First Nature - Dactylorhiza praetermissa
  5. ^ Nonis, U. (2012). Presenza di Dactylorhiza praetermissa (Druce) Soó in Carnia e in Cadore (Italia nord-orientale). GIROS Notizie 50: 57-59.
  6. ^ Biohorizons - An investigation to determine variation in marsh orchid (Dactylorhiza) populations at Moses Gate Country Park, Bolton
  7. ^ New Phytologist - What constrains the distribution of orchid populations?
  8. ^ New Phytologist - Physiology and Ecology of Orchid Mycorrhizal Fungi with Reference to Seedling Nutrition
  9. ^ PLoS One - Variation in Mycorrhizal Associations with Tulasnelloid Fungi Among Populations of Five Dactylorhiza Species

External links