Petals ovate, slightly pointed, with 4 ribs, comment; lip
broad, transverse, 3-lobed, the lateral lobes large, crenu-
lated, and rounded in front; the intermediate lobe short,
or nearly obsolete, truncate, somewhat emarginate, its
centre of a paler colour, and often almost white; spur
scarcely more than half as long as the germen, cylindrical,
or rarely slightly thickened at the tip, where it is compressed
and deeply emarginate. Anther obcordate, slightly pointed.
Stigma large, rhomboidal, longitudinal. The germen angular
and twisted.
This plant is distinguished from O. latifolia, (in company
with which and O. maculata it frequently grows,) by its undivided
rounded tubers and great difference of habit. It is
much more nearly allied to O. Morio; but that plant has
single-nerved bracteas, and all the segments of its perianth,
except the lip, connivent. The short spur also is a valuable
distinctive character.
Almostevery wet meadow and bog in the islands of Jersey
and Guernsey is ornamented by a profusion of this plant.
The specimens figured were gathered by the writer of this
at St. Ouen’s Pond, Jersey, June 9, 1838.—C. C. B.