Widespread across Europe, from Great Britain eastwards, and North Africa.
A beautiful slender orchid with bright pink flowers with widely-spreading sepals and long narrow lance-shaped leaves; growing up to about 60 cm.
Usually found on lime-rich soils in open woodlands or scrub, at altitudes up to 2000 metres. The plant can probably subsist for years without producing any above-ground parts, by living entirely on its association with a mycorrhizal fungus.
Photographs: Slovenia 1989.
© Alan Hill
Click photographs for larger images.