This orchid is one of the six sub species of Early March-orchid but also the one with the least controversy surrounding its attribute as a sub species. Stace suggests that the other five perhaps are only varieties but currently all are treated the same in most texts. Older European books may refer to this as Dactylorhiza cruenta giving the plant full species status. In this sub species the often folded form of the labellum isn't as prominent as in D. incarnata ssp incarnata for instance and the markings are a little remiscent of D. praetermissa (Southern Marsh-orchid).

The outstanding diagnostic feature is that the leaf spots are visible under the leaf as well as on top.

Dactylorhiza incarnata ssp cruenta Early Marsh-orchid Val de Fain, Engadine, Switzerland 6th July 2010 Previous   Next	Dactylorhiza incarnata ssp cruenta Early Marsh-orchid leaves Val de Fain, Engadine, Switzerland 6th July 2010 Previous   Next
Dactylorhiza incarnata ssp cruenta Early Marsh-orchid	Dactylorhiza incarnata ssp cruenta Early Marsh-orchid leaves

Val de Fain, Engadine, Switzerland 6th July 2010

Added on 1st September 2010, updated 12th November 2014