Dactylorhiza fuchsii [Common Spotted-Orchid]

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Rørslett, B. 2013. Dactylorhiza fuchsii (Druce)Vermn. (Orchidaceae). Common Spotted-Orchid. Flowers photographed in visible and ultraviolet light. http://www.ultraviol...spotted-orchid/

 

Dactylorhiza fuchsii (Druce)Vermn.

Syn. Dactylorhiza maculata (L.)Soó ssp. fuchsii (Druce)Hyl.; Orchis fuchsii Druce; Orchis maculata L. ssp. fuchsii (Druce) C. A. Jörg.; Orchis maculata L. var. meyeri Rchb. f.

 

NO: Skogmarihand; skogmarihånd

SE: Skogsnycklar

DK: Skov-Gøgeurt

 

A common orchid group widely distributed in Europe and adjacent areas of Russia, D. fuchsii and D. maculata have repeatedly been merged or split as separate taxa. They will be kept as distinct species here as their UV signatures do appear to differ. The two races also have their separate ecological nichges, D. maculata being typical for oligotrophic bogs and heathland whilst D. fuchsii usually is found on rich damp meadows or in deciduous forests. However, there is significant overlap in their occurrence and intermediate forms are not rare.

 

Plants collected and photographed in situ at Sogndal, Western Norway 9 July 2012.

 

Image reference: DACT_FUC_B1207092604_VIS.jpg

Visible light: Nikon D300, Medical-Nikkor 120 mm f/4 lens, built-in ring flash.

 

Image reference: DACT_FUC_I1207090002_UV.jpg

Ultraviolet light: Panasonic GH-2, Coastal Optics 60 mm f/4 APO lens, Baader U2" (Venus) filter, SB-140 flash.

 

In UV, the labellum is shiny with a velvet-like appearance due to the patches of conical cells. There are also UV-dark blotches more or less similar to the dark red spots and marks seen under visible light.

 

References:

http://www.ultravioletphotography.com/content/index.php?/topic/88-common-literature-references/

 

[Published 21 June 2013]