Orchis laxiflora Marsh orchis (Orchidaceae)

Browse Plants Articles

Power Search!

Browse Botanic Names

Sponsored By KhorWills

Orchis laxiflora
Marsh orchis
(1 Page of 5)

The Orchis laxiflora plant species is found in Britain. It is a member of the Orchidaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Marsh orchis. Some home gardeners know the variety as O. ensifolia.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Orchis laxiflora
Common Name:  Marsh orchis
Family:  Orchidaceae
Author:  Lam.

Known Hazards:  None known

Mature Height:  0.75   Mature Width:

Habitat:  Wet marshes and wet meadows in the Channel Islands[230].

Medicinal Information: Used in the treatment of cancer[148]. Salep (see above for more details) is very nutritive, astringent, expectorant and demulcent[4, 240]. It has been used as a diet of special value for children and convalescents, being boiled with water, flavoured and prepared in the same way as arrowroot[4]. Rich in mucilage, it forms a soothing and demulcent jelly that is used in the treatment of irritations of the gastro-intestinal canal[4]. One part of salep to fifty parts of water is sufficient to make a jelly[4]. The tuber, from which salep is prepared, should be harvested as the plant dies down after flowering and setting seed[4].

For further Orchis laxiflora gardening information
click on one of the blue links below

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
View their bibliography
Useful Edible Plants Future