Gymnadenia orchidis Lindl.

The development and fragrance of the flowers are very similar to the eurosibirian Gymnadenia conopsea (L.) R. Br. but the leaves are different in shape and arrangement, being scattered evenly on the stem.

Plants 30-60 cm tall. Tuberoids palmately divided. Stem rather stout, leafy. Leaves 3-5, erect, oblong, acute, up to 12 x 3.5 cm. Inflorescence very dense, cylindric, 10 (-12) cm long. Bracts ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, exceeding the ovary. Flowers rose-violet, pleasantly scented. Dorsal sepal ovate, 5 x 3(-3.5) mm, connivent with petals forming a loose hood; lateral sepals narrower, oblong, 6x2.5(-3) mm, spreading; petals broadly obliquely-ovate, 5 x 4 mm. Labellum angular-ovate in outline, usually broader than long, 5 x 5.5 mm, cuneate towards the base, shallowly trilobed at apex, lobes rounded. Spur slender, cylindric, acuminate, ± bent outwards, exceeding the ovary, 15-18 mm long, filled with nectar. Ovary slightly twisted, glabrous.

Himalaya (Kashmir to Bhutan), S.E. Tibet.

Distribution: Himalaya, from Pakistan to Bhutan, also Yunnan and Szechuan. In alpine pastures, above 2400 m up to 4800 m.

3000-4700 m

Fl. Per.: July-August.

Flowering from May to August.

Gymnadenia orchidis is close relative of Gymnadenia conopsea, but differs from the latter in its leaves elliptic to elliptic-oblong (vs. linear-lanceolate, narrowly oblong, or lorate), mid-lobe of lip equal to or slightly larger than lateral lobes (vs. mid-lobe of lip usually smaller than lateral lobes).

Gymnadenia orchidis is occurring in SE Gansu, W Hubei, S Qinghai, S Shaanxi, W Sichuan, E and S Xizang, NW Yunnan of China, Bhutan, NE India, Kashmir, Nepal, Pakistan.

Plants robust, 15-45 cm tall. Tubers ovoid-ellipsoid, 1-3 cm, with slender, elongate lobes. Stem stout, with 2-3-tubular sheaths at base and 3-6 cauline leaves. Leaves widely spaced or clustered, elliptic to elliptic-oblong, 4-15 cm long, 2.5-4.5 cm wide, apex obtuse to acute. Inflorescence 8-25 cm, stout; peduncle with 1-2 scattered, lanceolate bracts 2-5 cm long; rachis 3-13 cm long, densely many flowered; floral bracts lanceolate, apex acuminate, basal ones longer than flowers. Flowers purplish red or pink, very rarely tinged with white; ovary 7-8 mm long including pedicel. Dorsal sepal erect, ovate, 3-5 mm long, 2-3.5 mm wide, 3-veined, apex obtuse; lateral sepals reflexed, ovate, oblique, 4-5 mm long, 2.5-4 mm wide, 3-veined, margin revolute, apex obtuse. Petals straight, broadly ovate-triangular, oblique, 3-6 mm long, 2.5-4 mm wide, 3-veined, apex obtuse; lip spreading, broadly obovate, 3.5-6 mm long, 3-4.5 mm wide, 3-lobed at apex; lateral lobes ovate, 1-2 mm wide, apex obtuse; mid-lobe triangular, 1-2.2 mm wide, equal to or slightly larger than lateral lobes, apex obtuse to subacute; spur pendulous, slightly curved forward, 7-12 mm long, equal to or exceeding ovary, slender. Column ca. 2 mm long; viscidia lanceolate.

Growing in forests, thickets, alpine grassland; 3000-4000 m.