Orchis mascula Early purple orchis (Orchidaceae)

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Orchis mascula
Early purple orchis
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The Orchis mascula plant species is found in Britain. It is a member of the Orchidaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Early purple orchis.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Orchis mascula
Common Name:  Early purple orchis
Family:  Orchidaceae
Author:  (L.)L.

Known Hazards:  None known

Mature Height:  0.6   Mature Width:

Habitat:  Woodland, copses and open pastures in base rich soils[17].

Medicinal Information: 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].

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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'.
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