Similar to the Early-purple Orchid but can be identified by the distinct parallel greenish veins on each side of the hood formed by the tepals on the upper part of the flower. These veins are never found on the Early-purple Orchid. The colour of the flowers can vary from very pale pink to a much deeper purple. The leaves of this species are unspotted, mainly in a basal rosette, the uppermost sheathing the lower stem.

Provide a photograph of the plant in habitat, plus a close up photo of flowers (RPR)

Grassy habitats, sometimes abandoned quarries or sand pits.

May and June.

Perennial

Widespread but quite local in Britain as far north as southern Scotland at least, and probably declining.

England Red List: Vulnerable.

GB Red List: Near Threatened.

Infrequent and local in Leicestershire & Rutland, and probably declining.

In the Flora of Leicestershire (Primavesi and Evans 1988) it was found in 12 of the 617 tetrads and in the Flora of Rutland (Messenger 1971) in 4 tetrads.

In the current checklist (Jeeves 2011), it is listed as Scarce and as an axiophyte (i.e. considered to be an indicator of good-quality habitat) found in old mesotrophic grassland.

It is listed on the current VC55 Rare Plant Register (Hall and Woodward 2022) as Locally Scarce (i.e. present in 4-10 sites)