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The early purple orchid (Orchis mascula) belongs to Orchidaceae (the Orchid family). It is a perennial herb that is native to Europe. This herb grows in grassy meadows, scrubs and woods, to 2650 m elevation, and it can reach 50-60 cm in height. The stem is erect, green at base and purple on the apex. The leaves are oblong-lanceolate, pale green, sometimes with brownish-purple speckles. The pink to violet flowers bloom in dense cylindrical spikes from April to June. The labial petal is three-lobed and dotted with purple-brown spots at the basal part.
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