Orchid

The Common Spotted-orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii) is a commonly occurring species of European orchid. It is widely variable in colour and height, ranging from 15 to 60 cm in height. The flower colour can vary from white to pale purple with purple spots. The lip has three lobes. Some colonies are highly perfumed, attractive to day-flying moths.
Flowers: June-August.
Leaves: narrow lanceolate, keeled, often dark-spotted.
Distribution: widespread, occurring from alkaline marshes to chalk downland. The most common orchid in Britain. After the Bee Orchid, it is the most successful orchid coloniser of waste land.

Found in a boggy bit of Tess' favourite walk, almost hidden in the longer grass and plants, I had to get my knees wet [!] to get some fairly dark images, but the rest of the day faded to grey and these are the best of a sunless lot.