About Dactylorhiza maculata subsp. fuchsii (Druce) Hyl.
Dactylorhiza maculata subsp. fuchsii, commonly known as heath spotted orchid, is an orchid that is usually 15–45 centimetres (5.9–17.7 in) tall, reaching 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. Additionally, this is a terrestrial orchid, meaning unlike epiphytes it does not grow on other large plants. This orchid produces an erect, hairless, cylindrical stem with a streaked surface. Its leaves are oblong or oval-lanceolate, with dark ellipsoid-shaped spots on the surface, which is the source of the species name. The leaves are amplexicaul (clasping the stem), and grow either at the base of the plant or along the stem. Two tubers grow on the underground portion of the stem; each tuber is deeply divided into multiple lobes or tubercles, which is a characteristic trait of the genus Dactylorhiza. The first tuber supports the growing stem, while the second collects nutrients to feed the next year’s new plant growth. The inflorescence is 5–15 centimetres (2.0–5.9 in) long, and consists of flowers clustered into a dense spike. Flowers grow from the axils of membranous, lanceolate-shaped bracts. Flower colour ranges from light pink to purple, or may be white, with darker streaks mostly found on the labellum, and sometimes on the margins of tepals. Individual flowers average 10–15 millimetres across. Flowers are hermaphrodite and pollinated by insects. The heath spotted orchid prefers sunny locations on lowlands or hills. It grows in slightly damp meadows, dry forest undergrowth, areas with shrubs, and along stream edges. It can grow on both siliceous and calcareous substrates, at elevations up to 2,200 metres (7,200 ft) above sea level. In Northern Europe, it flowers from June to July. Orchids of the genus Dactylorhiza are mycorrhizal generalists. D. maculata has been found to form associations with a range of common mycorrhizal fungi from the Tulasnellaceae family, as well as with species from Ceratobasidiaceae and Sebacinales. This orchid is pollinated by insects, especially bumblebees. Its flowers are food deceptive, meaning they do not produce nectar for pollinators to feed on.
