| 
   
| Identification |  
| 
Genus 
Orchis
Species 
mascula
Variety 
Cultivar 
Common names 
purple orchid  
salep  
purple orchis
Family 
ORCHIDACEAE
Specimen number 
S6948
Data source 
MedPl p240;Frgnt p353;Frgnt p265
 |   
  
| Life cycle |  
| 
Life form 
Terrestrial
Life cycle 
Various
Life span 
 
Annual cycle 
Not applicable
Stature 
Various
Growth form 
Not applicable
Growth habit 
Various
Overall height 
 
Overall spread 
 
 |   
  
| Climate |  
| 
Sunshine 
Various
Water 
Various
Optimal soil texture 
Various
Acceptable soil pH 
Various
USDA hardiness 
Not classified
AHS heat zones 
Not classified
Sunset climate zones 
Not classified
 |   
  
| Garden |  
| 
Suitable for gardens 
no
Nursery 
Unknown
Compost 
no
Size at acquisition 
Unknown
Garden location 
Unknown
Garden notes 
The flowers of Orchis mascula have a mildly vanilla-like aroma.      
 |   
  
| Special qualities |  
| 
Tolerates drought 
no
Tolerates high humidity 
no
Tolerates seaside conditions 
no
Insect resistant 
no
Disease resistant 
no
Deer resistant 
no
Best uses 
 
Symbiosis 
Attracts butterflies 
no
Attracts hummingbirds 
no
Autumn foliage 
no
Colorful berries 
no
Desirable qualities 
 
Other interest 
 
Other interest color 
Other interest period 
 
 |   
  
| Adverse factors |  
| 
Common pests 
Poisonous parts 
Poisonous indications 
Internal poison 
no
Dermatologic poison 
no
Livestock poison 
no
Mechanical injury 
no
Hay fever pollen 
 
Hay fever season 
 
Adverse qualities 
 
 |   
  
| Herbal medicine |  
| 
Medicinal properties 
antidiarrheal
Medicinal parts 
Tubers
Has medicinal uses 
yes
Do not self-administer 
no
Do no use if pregnant 
no
Legally restricted 
no
Toxicity precautions 
Medicinal notes 
Orchis mascula may have beneficial uses as an antidiarrheal.  Herbal remedies are only prepared from the tubers.      
 |   
  
| Traditional uses |  
| 
Parts used 
Traditional uses 
Contemporary uses 
Fragrance 
pleasantly vanilla scented upon opening, disagreeable as they fade.
Fragrance parts 
Flowers
Fragrance intensity 
Mild
Fragrance category 
Vanilla
Dye parts 
Dye color 
 |   
  
| Cultivation |  
| 
Propagule 
Various
Pollination method 
 
Planting style 
 
Crop spacing 
 
Row spacing 
 
Cold frame 
Planting period 
 
Harvesting period 
 
Frost tolerance 
 
Heat requirement 
 
Fertilizer 
Typical
Time to harvest 
 |   
  
| Nutrition |  
| 
Is edible 
no
Culinary uses 
Nutritional value 
Edible parts 
Description of edible parts
Flavor / texture 
 |   
  
| Horticulture |  
| 
Horticulture notes 
Orchis mascula is thought to originate from North Africa.  
 |   
  
| Herbarium |  
| 
Tag needs printing 
no
Collection notes 
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