Herminium monorchis (L.) R. Br.

Plants slender, 8-20(-25) cm tall. Tuberoid of flowering plant globose, sessile, the 2-3 new ones long-stalked. Stem stiff with 2-3(-4) oblong-lanceolate to lanceolate leaves in lower part and 2-3 bract-like above. Inflorescence 1-10 cm long, 1-10 cm broad, usually dense, sometimes lax. Bracts lanceolate, acuminate, ± equalling the ovary in length. Flowers small, drooping, yellowish-green, sweet-scented, the lower often distant. Sepals connivent, the dorsal ovate-oblong, 2.2-3 x 1.6-1.8 mm; laterals narrower, 2.5-3.2 x 1-1.2 mm. Petals longer, from broadened base suddenly narrowed, 3.5 mm long. Labellum ± as long as petals, 3.2-4 mm long, 3-lobed near concave base; side lobes short, c.0.6 mm, divergent; mid-lobe narrowly-ligulate, 1.8-2 mm long. Column short, broad. Ovary sessile, slightly twisted, bent downwards at apex.

Distribution: Europe, Himalayan-mountains, Tibet, China, Japan. Euro-Sibirian element. In wet meadows up to 4300 m.

Fl. Per.: July-August.