Close-up image of the Military Orchid Orchis militaris taken at one of its two remaining sites in the Chilterns.

These UK Military Orchids are distinct from those in Suffolk and on the European mainland and they are regarded as true natives.

Their flowers are considered to have less elongated lips with wider and darker "legs". The distinction has led to the use of a latin variety name Orchis militaris var. tenuifons that differentiates these plants from the mainstream Orchis militaris var. militaris.

Ref: MN0012

Location: Chilterns