Editing Anacamptis pyramidalis (section)

== Description ==
[[File:Fertilisation of Orchids figure 4.jpg|thumb|upright=0.86|left|[[Charles Darwin]]'s book ''[[Fertilisation of Orchids]]'' included an illustration of the head of a moth with its [[proboscis]] laden with several pairs of [[Pollinium|pollinia]] from ''Orchis pyramidalis'']]
This hardy plant reaches on average {{convert|10|-|25|cm|in}} of height, with a maximum of {{convert|60|cm|in}}. The stem is erect and unbranched. The basal leaves are linear-lanceolate with parallel venation, up to {{convert|25|cm}} long, the cauline ones are shorter and barely visible on the stem. The arrangement of [[Hermaphrodite|hermaphroditic]] flowers in a compact pyramidal shape is very distinctive and gives the orchid its common name. The colour of the [[flower]] varies from pink to purple, or rarely white, and the scent is described as "foxy".  The flowers have six [[tepal]]s, being three small [[sepal]]s and three [[petal]]s. Two small [[petal]]s are on the sides, while the third and lower ([[Labellum (botany)|labellum]])  is large and trilobate. At the back of the flower there is a tubular spur of about {{convert|1.5|cm|in}} long, while the [[Labellum (botany)|labellum]] bears two lateral small flaps. The flowering period extends from April through July.