Anacamptis morio Green-winged Orchid

 Anacamptis morio, Green-winged Orchid, is an early-flowering orchid of calcareous grasslands which has undergone a decline in Britain in recent decades. In West Glamorgan, this beautiful orchid is confined to lowland, coastal areas such the short-turf grasslands on the south Gower cliffs, dune grasslands and tracks dressed with calcareous gravel. Recently, a few plants have appeared in grassy verges in coastal urban areas. It is usually quite short in stature with striking, dark purple flowers. The upper tepals of the flowers have distinctive green veins which gives them a stripy appearance. White-flowered and pink-flowered specimens, which occur occasionally in some populations, show these attractive green veins particularly well.