The Purple Orchid is part of the genus Orchis, largely amputated by numerous species now classified in the genera Anacamptis or Dactylorhiza.

Orchis are tuberous orchids, usually having two which gave them their Greek name Orchis which means testicle. One of the tubers allows the growth of the plant while the second forms during this same period and will replace the original tuber gradually withered the following year. If we were to dig up an orchid (which I of course prohibit), we would therefore find the tuber of the year more or less withered, the tuber in the making for the future season and sometimes an old one totally withered from the previous year.

Orchids are fairly tall plants (20 to 60 cm), rather robust and easily spotted in meadows, wastelands or light undergrowth. The preferred soils are generally calcareous or marly and rather dry.

The sepals and lateral petals are united to form a "helmet" while the central petal (labellum) offers a fairly complex shape that varies from one species to another. Three Orchis are quite close morphologically and "coloristically": Orchis militaris (Military Orchis), Orchis purpurea (Purple Orchis) and Orchis simia (Monkey Orchis). Hybridizations are therefore possible that will not allow a certain identification.

Its very dark purple or pink color allows it to be distinguished from the more pink Military Orchid or Monkey Orchid. Its labellum, although similar to the Military Orchid, is also trilobed but quite wide at the base. Likewise, it is provided with small tufts of hair.

Present in many departments (except Brittany and Massif Central due to unsuitable soil), it flowers between the end of April and the end of June depending on the region and altitude. It is one of the most common orchids in France.