Orchis mascula
Ecology
This tuberous perennial herb grows on a variety of neutral and calcareous soils, and is most frequent in woodland, coppices and calcareous grassland. However, it also occurs in hedgerows, scrub, on roadsides and railway banks and on limestone pavement and moist cliff ledges. 0-880 m (Caenlochan, Angus).
Status
Trends
This species, mapped as `all records` in the 1962 Atlas, has declined in some areas, particularly C. England and parts of Scotland. Most losses are due to woodland felling and coniferisation, intensification of grassland management and ploughing. However, it is much better recorded now, especially in Ireland.
World Distribution
European Temperate element.
Broad Habitats
Light (Ellenberg): 6
Moisture (Ellenberg): 5
Reaction (Ellenberg): 7
Nitrogen (Ellenberg): 4
Salt Tolerance (Ellenberg): 0
January Mean Temperature (Celsius): 3.5
July Mean Temperature (Celsius): 14.7
Annual Precipitation (mm): 1073
Height (cm): 40
Perennation - primary
Life Form - primary
Woodiness
Clonality - primary
Count of 10km squares in Great Britain: 1962
Count of 10km squares in Ireland: 475
Count of 10km squares in the Channel Isles: 9
Atlas Change Index: -0.72
Weighted Changed Factor: -27
Weighted Change Factor Confidence (90%)
JNCC Designations
Atlas text references
Atlas (340c)
.
1993. Wild orchids of Scotland.
.
1986. Atlas of north European vascular plants north of the Tropic of Cancer. 3 vols.
.
1991. Wild orchids of Dorset.
.
1965. Vergleichende Chorologie der zentraleuropäischen Flora. Volume 1. 2 vols.
.
1991. The orchids of Suffolk.