Coeloglossum viride Hartm. in Handb. Skand. Fl. 329. 1820
Basionym:
Satyrium viride L. Sp. Pl. 2: 944. 1753 [1 May 1753]
Synonyms:
Orchis viridis (L.) Crantz, Stirp. Austr. Fasc. ed. 2, 2(6): 491 (1769)
Habenaria viridis (L.) R. Br., W. T. Aiton, Hortus Kew. ed. 2, 5:192 (1813)
Gymnadenia viridis (L.) Rich., Orchid. Eur. Annot.: 35 (1817)
Platanthera viridis (L.) Lindl., Syn. Brit. Fl.: 261 (1829)
Himantoglossum viride (L.) Rchb., Fl. German. Excurs. 1: 119 nº 813 (1830)
Dactylorhiza viridis (L.) R, M. Bateman, Pridgeon & M. W. Chase in Lindleyana 12(3): 129 (1997).
Recientemente ha sido incluido dentro de género Dactylorhiza como Dactylorhiza viridis (L.) R. M. Bateman, Pridgeon & M. W. Chase (PRIDGEON & al., 1997). Estos autores proponen mantener Dactylorhiza para todo el género a pesar de que Coeloglossum es más antiguo. Desde luego la aparición relativamente frecuente de híbridos entre ambos géneros apoyaría la fusión de ambos grupos y también algunas similitudes morfológicas como los pseudotubérculos digitados, las hojas repartidas por el tallo o el labelo dividido, sin embargo existen muchas diferencias en la estructura floral: perianto, columna, polinarios totalmente separados con dos bursículas independientes, espolón muy diferente, globoso, dos nectarios con presencia de néctar, etcétera. Recientes análisis, mas amplios, de regiones ITS y RTS (DEVOS & al, 2006) indican que es más adecuado mantener ambos géneros separados. La mayoría de obras de referencia, tanto generalistas como especializadas, así lo hacen (p. ej. AEDO & HERRERO, 2005; BOURNERIAS & PRAT, 2005; DELFORGE, 2005; KREUTZ, 2004).
This species was first described by Hartman from Koenigsberg, Germany in 1753 and its name refers to the overall bland, greenish appearance of the plant.
Coeloglossum viride is a widespread but highly localized orchid with a circumboreal distribution throughout most of Europe, nowhere is it particularly common. Its choice of habitat is extremely varied and the species can be found in dry or wet conditions, in full sun or shade and on alkaline or acid substrates. Although it may occur at high altitudes throughout its distribution, in the south of it is range it is usually confined to montane grasslands and light woodland. Coeloglossum viride can tolerate altitudes up to nearly 3000 metres and is perfectly at home growing alongside more specialized Alpine orchids such as Gymnadenia rhellicani and Pseudorchis albida.
This species cannot be described as much of a beauty and despite a degree of variability, is unlikely to be confused with any other. Coeloglossum viride is a predominantly green plant with flowers that can be similarly coloured or exhibit shades of brown, red or olive. Several variants have been described but these are of little evolutionary importance. The most easily recognized of the named variants is longibracteatum which as its name suggests possesses lengthy bracts.
