Orchis purpurella: The Mystery Orchid That Might Not Exist
If you’ve stumbled across the name Orchis purpurella in your plant research, you might be chasing a botanical ghost. This mysterious orchid name appears in some plant lists, but finding reliable information about it is like searching for a needle in a haystack – and the needle might not even exist.
The Case of the Missing Orchid
Here’s where things get interesting (and a bit frustrating): Orchis purpurella doesn’t appear in major botanical databases or orchid references. This could mean several things:
- It might be an outdated or invalid botanical name
- It could be an extremely rare or possibly extinct species
- The name might be a misidentification or typo of another orchid species
- It might exist only in very old botanical literature
The Orchis Name Game
The genus Orchis has been through more name changes than a witness protection program. Many plants that were once called Orchis have been shuffled into other genera like Anacamptis, Dactylorhiza, or Neotinea. So if Orchis purpurella was ever a real species, it might now go by a completely different name.
What This Means for Gardeners
If you’re looking to add this particular orchid to your garden, you’re going to hit some roadblocks:
- No commercial sources appear to sell plants under this name
- Growing information is nonexistent
- Geographic distribution is unknown
- Hardiness zones and care requirements are mysteries
Better Orchid Options for Your Garden
Instead of chasing this botanical unicorn, consider these well-documented native orchids that you can actually find and grow:
- Showy Lady’s Slipper (Cypripedium reginae)
- Wild Ginger Orchid (Asarum canadense) – wait, that’s not an orchid!
- Pink Lady’s Slipper (Cypripedium acaule)
- Spotted Coralroot (Corallorhiza maculata)
The Takeaway
Sometimes in the plant world, names exist in old literature or databases without corresponding real plants you can actually grow. Orchis purpurella appears to be one of these phantom species. If you’re determined to solve this mystery, try contacting orchid societies or botanical gardens – they love a good plant detective story!
For now, though, you’re better off focusing your gardening energy on orchids that definitely exist and have proven track records in cultivation. Your garden (and your sanity) will thank you.
