Some dactylorhizas will give you a hard time when it comes to identification, as each species varies and hybrids are common. In some regions, these hybrids may even outnumber the type species. Observing dactylorhizas is yet another demonstration that certain specialists tend to split and name what are sometimes merely varieties. Evolution is indeed underway, but it will not occur on the scale of our current humanity. Patience!

I will therefore present only a few species, those whose identification remains certain.

Dactylorhiza majalis grows in varied terrains but always in moist conditions. Less often in fallow land, and often in considerable numbers and density in mountain meadows. Its more or less folded labellum, its leaves which may or may not be spotted, and its variations in hue do not make diagnosis easy. (There is no point in checking whether the stem is hollow, as has sometimes been suggested for identification purposes, since dactylorhizas often have this characteristic; it would be a rather pointless sacrifice.)

It flowers between April and July, depending on the habitat and altitude — which again makes it difficult to sort the various dactylorhiza species.