Keyflower
Dactylorhiza majalis
- Native to:
- Albania, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, East Aegean Is., Finland, Føroyar, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Netherlands, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Poland, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, Ukraine
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Orchidaceae
- Genus:
- Dactylorhiza
- Species:
- Dactylorhiza majalis
- USDA Symbol:
- DAMA4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, purple, magenta
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, nutrient-rich, loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Prefers calcareous or neutral soils in wet meadows and marshes.
Propagation & Germination
- Notes:
- Orchid seeds require mycorrhizal fungi for germination; propagation from seed is extremely difficult without laboratory conditions.