Wildflower of the valley
Himalayan Marsh Orchid
Dactylorhiza hatagirea
- How easy to find
- Easy to see — you will see it easily on the trail
- Flower size
- Large
- Family
- Orchidaceae (Orchid family)
- Local name
- Hathageri, Salaam Panja and Paanch anguli.
- Type
- Orchid
- Height
- large
- Altitude
- 2400–3300 m
- Flower colour
- red,blue
- Flowering
- June to August
- Status
- Critically Endangered
About Himalayan Marsh Orchid
Dactylorhiza hatagirea is an orchid of height 25 - 80 cm. It is an orchid with tubers divided like finger of palm. Stem with few leaf sheaths at base. Leaves are clustered and spreading. Flowers are dark purple or rosy purple.
Where to find it
- In the middle of the valley
Habitat
Alpine meadows and mountain slopes.
Uses & folklore
Tubers are useful in treating bone fractures and cough, bronchitis and wounds.
What the name means
Dactylorhiza is Greek daktylos (finger) + rhiza (root) — after the finger-like tubers; hatagirea derives from the Nepali/Kumaoni name hathajari or hathpanja, meaning "hand-like".
Don't confuse it with
Gymnadenia orchidis (sno 130) is another high-altitude orchid but with much shorter, un-lobed tubers and a smaller flower spike.
