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].

Edible Uses: Root - cooked[2, 4, 46]. It is a source of 'salep', a fine white to yellowish-white powder that is obtained by drying the tuber and grinding it into a powder[2, 105, 177]. Salep is a starch-like substance with a sweetish taste and a faint somewhat unpleasant smell[4]. It is said to be very nutritious and is made into a drink or can be added to cereals and used in making bread etc[100, 183]. One ounce of salep is said to be enough to sustain a person for a day[100, 115].

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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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