This is another of those orchids which being brownish in colour and growing in grass about the same height, can be overlooked. The English name derives from the appearance of the flower to a hanged man but the systematic name is, according to some authorities, best given as Orchis anthropophora. DNA tests by Bateman et al in 2001 have shown it to be a member of the Orchis genus. However there is no obvious authority which decides when or if we should all change systematic names so until BSBI amend their lists it will remain an Aceras on this site.

It grows on chalky soils and prefers warm climates so is confined to Southern eastern England with none in Scotland, Ireland or Wales.

Beacuse a name change this page has been re-directed