Dactylorhiza traunsteineri sensu stricto is a plant of the Alps in France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Austria, but similar, closely allied species, occur in the Pyrenees, and north to Scandinavia.
Growing up to a maximum of c.40 cm in height, with a lax spike of purplish flowers, the labellum 3-lobed with the side lobes reflexed to a varying degree. In wet basic soils.
Photographs: Saalbach, Austria, June 1992
© John Wilde
Similar plants found in Great Britain and Ireland are probably best referred to a separate species of independent origin: Dactylorhiza traunsteinerioides.
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