Gymnadenia odoratissima

Quick Characteristics:

Gymnadenia odoratissima (L.) Rich. is a smaller pink Gymnadenia species with high demands regarding calcerous substrate, so its range concentrates on the Limestone Alps and the Swabian Alp and similar areas in northern Spain, southern Sweden and the Ukraine. Both grassland as well as open woods are occupied as long as they are not too dry. Flowers are less than half the size of G. conopsea, and the spur is shorter than the ovary. The flowers have a strong, vanilla-like scent. Pictures from Martin Bohnet from plants in habitat on the Swabian Alp.