This
is a newly recognized genus of some seven European species, all of
which have recently been reclassified and moved from the genus Orchis.
The species were all once part of the monophyletic Orchis tridentata
group which had for many years been the subject of considerable
research and study. The group was known to be in many ways
similar to the Orchis militaris
group untill subsequent molecular analysis failed to support this
position and threw up results that were contraditory but without being
conclusive.Further study eventually led to their assignment to the genus Neotinea.
The
genus typically has two ellipsoidal tubers, very short spurs, perianth
segments that form a loose helmet and propagation tends most usually to
be via self pollination.
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