Low parasitic plant The stem is subterranean, branched, whitish yellow forming tufts at the soil surface. Scale leaves are kidney shaped clasping the stem. Flowers are violet with a reddish purple lower lip 40 to 50 mm long borne in small clusters. Upper lip of the corolla is hooded.

Woodland, coppices and other damp shady places where the host trees are found.

Flowers April to June.

Perennial that is parasitic on the roots of various tree species, especially Alder, Poplar and Willow.

Occasional but widespread in Britain.

Rare in Leicestershire and Rutland. It was not recorded in the 1979 Flora survey of Leicestershire.