Orchis mascula aka Early Purple Orchid

Orchis mascula is the early purple orchid, a ground-growing perennial. It belongs to the orchid family, Orchidaceae. Its native range spans Europe, Africa and parts of Asia. It grows wild in Britain and Ireland. Other native areas include North Africa, Turkey, Iran and the Caucasus. Its habitats include woods, small wooded stands and open pasture. In the wild, it grows on soils rich in bases.

This orchid has a narrow, upright form and loses its leaves seasonally. Its leaves often bear dark purple spots. Garden plants reach about 0.3–1.6 feet (0.1–0.5 m) tall. Their spread falls within the same range. Plants take two to five years to reach full size. Small flowers crowd upright spikes from spring into early summer. Their shades range from pale to deep purple. Each bloom has a complex shape despite its small size. The spotted leaves add interest alongside the flower spikes.

Give it fertile soil with plenty of humus and good drainage. Keep the soil moist rather than waterlogged. Partial shade offers the best growing conditions. It also tolerates full sun where summers stay cool. Clay and loam both suit it. It accepts acid, neutral and alkaline soil in gardens. RHS rates its hardiness H5, while PFAF lists USDA zones 4–8. Plant dormant tubers in autumn, at least 0.26 feet (0.08 m) deep. Separate offsets in spring to raise more plants. It needs no pruning.

This species suits informal borders, cottage gardens and wildflower meadows. It also has a place in wildlife gardens. Woodland edges and areas with dappled shade offer other planting sites. Its spring flowers bring colour before the main summer display. Slugs and snails may damage plants. RHS reports few disease problems. PFAF does not flag it as weedy.

The cooked underground tuber has a recorded food use. Drying and grinding it produces the powder called salep. People have used salep in drinks, cereals and bread. Its taste is mildly sweet, though its smell can be unpleasant. Salep also has a history of use as food during recovery. Its mucilage forms a jelly when mixed with water. Traditional medicine has used this to soothe digestive irritation. These records describe past uses, not proof of medical benefit. PFAF lists no known hazards, but gives no specific pet-safety evidence.