Dactylorhiza sambucina – Elder-flowered orchid

This species belongs to the family Orchidaceae, and its name means “with a flower as the elder" (it smells like elder). It blooms from spring to summer, mostly in purple blue colour. From the finger- shaped bulb (also known as Dactylorhiza), the stalk develops at a height of 10 to 40 cm, with 4 to 7 spiky leaves around it. The inflorescence is composed of very densely distributed membranous flowers that bloom from April to July. Their colour varies from yellow to red to purple. It is widespread in Europe and is rarely found in the Alps. In the Galichica National Park, it is spread at 2000 meters above sea level, on open and well-lit high mountain pastures and forest edges.