Image to followAI-generated illustrationdactylorhiza maculata
Dactylorhiza maculata
FamilyGenus: Dactylorhizanative in Germany
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28
Species
interact
🔗
42
Interactions
documented
About this species
A native terrestrial orchid of damp, nutrient-poor, semi-shaded places in Great Britain. It is a herbaceous perennial with broad leaves and tiny wind-borne seeds.
Ecological network
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PollinationFlower visit
Ecological significance
Dactylorhiza maculata is a component of damp, nutrient-poor grassland and heathland communities in Great Britain. Its tiny seeds enable colonisation of newly suitable open patches.
Standort & Merkmale
Light
Halbschatten
Moisture
Frisch (Mäßig feucht)
Soil
Schwachzehrer (Magerer Boden)
Flowering period
—
Soil reaction
Mäßig sauer bis neutral
Bioregion
Continental
Growth form
Krautige Pflanze
Woodiness
Nicht verholzt
Leaf type
Breitblättrig
Plant height
0.284 m
Morphological traits: TRY ID3 (CC BY 3.0) & TRY ID81 (CC BY)
Pflege & Anbau
This orchid requires a damp, low-nutrient soil in half-shade. It is not suited to fertile ground or dry conditions. In cultivation, it may be grown in a carefully managed wildflower meadow or a shaded rock garden where soil moisture and low fertility can be maintained. Avoid feeding, as excess nutrients are detrimental.
Scientific profile
Dactylorhiza maculata is a native terrestrial orchid occurring across Great Britain. It is a herbaceous, non-woody plant with broad leaves, reaching an average height of about 28 centimetres. Each leaf has an area of roughly 12.5 square centimetres. The species prefers fresh, moderately moist, nutrient-poor soils in half-shade. Its seeds are exceptionally light (around 0.01 milligrammes) and are dispersed by wind.
Pollinators & visitors
25 Arten interagieren mit dieser Pflanze
Thymelicus sylvestrisManiola jurtinaBombus hypnorumBombus ruderatusBombus pascuorumBombus sylvestrisBombus vestalisBombus lapidariusBoloria seleneClossiana euphrosynePieris napiAphantopus hyperantusCoenonympha pamphilusLeptidea sinapisPyronia tithonusEuphydryas auriniaBombus soroeensisMelitaea diaminaPieris bryoniaeBombus lucorumBombus pratorumAglais urticaeBombus wurfleniiBombus ssBombus hortorum
Other flower visitors
3 other species visit the flowers
Delia aff. angustiventrisDelia nigrescensHylemya variata
Sources & data origin
•Interaktionsdaten via GloBI (CC-BY 4.0)
•pollinator_interactions
•FloraWeb / BfN
•EIVE 1.0 — Dengler et al. (2023), DOI: 10.3897/VCS.98324 (CC BY 4.0)
•GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — GBIF Secretariat (2024), DOI: 10.15468/39omei (CC BY 4.0)
•TRY Categorical Traits (ID3) — Kattge et al. (2012), DOI: 10.17871/TRY.3 (CC BY 3.0)
•TRY Global Spectrum (ID81) — Díaz et al. (2016/2021), DOI: 10.17871/TRY.81 (CC BY)
•Govaerts R et al. (2025) — World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP) v14. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. DOI: 10.34885/xs7h-ze42 (CC BY 4.0)
All data is licensed under CC BY 4.0, CC0, or compatible terms. Attribution according to license conditions. Full source overview →