Elder-flowered orchid (Dactylorhiza sambucina, Nom. Nov. Gen. Dactylorhiza: 3 (1962))

Family: Orchidaceae

Author: (L.) Soó

Bibliography: Nom. Nov. Gen. Dactylorhiza: 3 (1962)

Year: 1962

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Dactylorhiza

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe

Description

The Elder-flowered orchid, scientifically known as Dactylorhiza sambucina, is a captivating member of the Orchidaceae family. Esteemed for its vibrant hues and striking floral arrangement, this orchid is primarily found across various regions of Europe.

Dactylorhiza sambucina was formally named and described in 1962 in a work known as Nom. Nov. Gen. Dactylorhiza by the botanist Soó. This scholarly documentation underscored the significance of the species within the diverse genus Dactylorhiza.

The Elder-flowered orchid boasts a remarkable appearance that draws the eye and fascinates botanists and nature enthusiasts alike. Typically flowering from late spring to early summer, the blossoms can be of delightful variations in color, ranging from bold yellows to deep purples. One of its unique traits is the sweet, elder-like fragrance that gives the orchid its common name.

In its natural habitat, Dactylorhiza sambucina thrives in meadowlands, woodland edges, and calcareous substrates, preferring well-drained soil and partial sun exposure. The plant’s resilience and adaptability make it a common feature in the European landscapes it inhabits.

To those cultivating or merely admiring this exquisite orchid, it serves as a splendid example of botanical beauty and ecological versatility. The Elder-flowered orchid is not only a testament to the rich biodiversity of Europe but also a remarkable specimen within the vast Orchidaceae family.

Common Names

Swe: adam och eva, seljakämmekkä
Deu: holunder-knabenkraut
Dan: hylde-gøgeurt
Nor: guul, hviitguul huvendel
Fin: seljakämmekkä
Nno: søstermarihand
Nob: søstermarihand
Eng: elder-flowered orchid, elder-scented dactylorhiza
En: Elder-flowered Orchid, Elder-scented Dactylorhiza, Elderflower Orchid, March Orchis
Ca: Orquis sambucí
Cs: Prstnatec bezový
Da: Hylde-gøgeurt
Fi: Seljakämmekkä
Fr: Orchis à larges feuilles, Orchis à odeur de sureau, Orchis sureau, Dactylorhize à feuilles larges, Dactylorhize à larges feuilles, Orchis à feuilles larges
De: Holunder-Knabenkraut, Breitblättrige Knabenkraut, Holunder Fingerwurz, Holunder Knabenkraut
It: Giglio sambucino, Orchide sambucina
No: Guul, Hviitguul huvendel
Nb: Søstermarihand
Nn: Søstermarihand
Sk: Vstavačovec bazový
Sv: Adam och Eva, Seljakämmekkä
: Elder-flowered orchid

Synonyms

• Dactylorchis sambucina ((L.) Verm.)
• Dactylorhiza sambucina f. hybrida ((W.Zimm.) Kümpel)
• Dactylorhiza sambucina var. hungarica ((Soó) Soó)
• Dactylorhiza sambucina f. rubra ((Winterl) Hyl.)
• Orchis sambucina var. purpurea (W.D.J.Koch)
• Orchis sambucina var. candida (St.-Lag.)
• Dactylorhiza sambucina var. hybrida ((W.Zimm.) Peitz)
• Orchis sambucina subvar. luteopurpurea (Rouy)
• Dactylorhiza sambucina f. rubrobracteata ((Harz) Soó)
• Orchis sambucina f. hungarica (Soó)
• Orchis maculata subsp. sambucina ((L.) Bonnier & Layens)
• Orchis sambucina var. barlae (Rouy)
• Orchis sambucina f. lanceolata (W.Zimm.)
• Orchis pseudosambucina var. fasciculata ((Tineo) Rchb.f.)
• Orchis incarnata var. sambucina ((L.) Lapeyr. ex Bubani)
• Orchis sambucina f. tripartita (A.Fuchs)
• Orchis fasciculata (Tineo)
• Orchis sambucina f. bracteata (M.Schulze)
• Dactylorhiza sambucina var. laurentina ((R.Bolòs ex Vayr.) Soó)
• Dactylorhiza sambucina f. chusae (C.E.Hermos.)
• Orchis sambucina laurentina ((R.Bolòs ex Vayr.) Willk.)
• Orchis sambucina (L.)
• Orchis sambucina f. purpurea ((W.D.J.Koch) Neuman)
• Orchis sambucina var. purpurascens (R.Hinterh. & J.Hinterh.)
• Orchis sambucina var. robusta (Neuman)
• Orchis laurentina (R.Bolòs ex Vayr.)
• Orchis sambucina var. rubra (Winterl)
• Orchis guffroyi (P.Fourn.)
• Orchis sambucina var. hungarica ((Soó) A.Camus)
• Orchis lutea (Dulac)
• Orchis sambucina f. rubrobracteata (Harz)
• Orchis sambucina subsp. asturica ((Gand.) Gand.)
• Dactylorhiza latifolia f. rubra ((Winterl) D.Tyteca & Gathoye)
• Orchis schleicheri (Sweet)
• Orchis pallens (Moritzi)
• Dactylorhiza sambucina subsp. laurentina ((R.Bolòs ex Vayr.) Malag.)
• Orchis sambucina f. obovata (W.Zimm.)
• Dactylorhiza sambucina f. robusta ((Neuman) Soó)
• Orchis sambucina var. lutea (E.G.Camus)
• Orchis sambucina var. incarnata (Wahlenb.)
• Orchis sambucina var. rubriflora (St.-Lag.)
• Orchis sambucina var. bracteata ((M.Schulze) Harz)
• Dactylorhiza fasciculata ((Tineo) H.Baumann & Künkele)
• Orchis sambucina f. laurentina ((R.Bolòs ex Vayr.) Soó)
• Orchis sambucina var. laurentina ((R.Bolòs ex Vayr.) Willk.)
• Orchis sambucina subvar. purpurea ((W.D.J.Koch) Rouy)
• Orchis salina (Fronius)
• Orchis sambucina subsp. laurentina ((R.Bolòs ex Vayr.) Willk.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Italy (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Jun 17, 2018 by Ramon Martorell Martorell (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 17, 2018 by Ramon Martorell Martorell (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2019 by gasparetto luciano (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 17, 2018 by Ramon Martorell Martorell (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 9, 2018 by François Munoz (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 18, 2019 by Emanuele Santarelli (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 2, 2021 by Emanuele Santarelli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 22, 2020 by Christian BORDENAVE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 21, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2019 by Denis Bastianelli (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 16, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 10, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 2, 2021 by Martine Potier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 2, 2021 by Martine Potier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 21, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 15, 2022 by Bruno Lemiere (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 15, 2022 by Bruno Lemiere (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 15, 2022 by Bruno Lemiere (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 15, 2022 by Bruno Lemiere (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 26, 2017 by Pedro Salgadinho (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 9, 2021 by Dominique MAILHAC (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 16, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2019 by jimenez-millas alfredo (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 15, 2008 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 16, 1906 by Tela Botanica − Anne-Marie GRIMAUD (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 1873 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:626671-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/8231647)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Dactylorhiza sambucina (L.) Soó)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.0

Ph minimum: 7.5

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Soil nutriments: 3