DACTYLORHIZA

genus of orchids, family Orchidaceae, containing about 30 species of plants with palmately lobed root tubers. They grow in meadows and damp places throughout Eurasia and in parts of North Africa, Alaska, and some Atlantic islands. All species were formerly included in the genus Dactylorchis. The marsh orchid (Dactylorhiza incarnata), elder-flowered orchid (D. sambucina), and spotted orchid (D. fuchsii) are common European species.