The orchids of the north

The most common orchid in Finland, the heath spotted orchid, blooms on Raatosulkonneva in the midsummer. It can be best recognised from the dark spots on its leaves, but the individual plants can differ quite a lot. The Finnish name of the heath spotted orchid, “maariankämmekkä”, refers to the Virgin Mary, and it is derived from the branched root tuber so typical to the species resembles crossed fingers.

Other orchid species found on Alkkianvuori are the modest, greenish lesser twayblade and the creeping lady’s-tresses growing on the moss mounts of fir forests.