A description of Gymnadenia densiflora (Wahlenb.) A. Dietr. by Matthias de Lobel (1581)

A description and two woodcuts of an orchid in the herbal of Matthias de Lobel (1581) appear to represent Gymnadenia densiflora, whose status as an independent species has recently been confirmed by genetic analysis. The pictured specimens came from the dunes near The Hague, the Netherlands. Data on the past and present occurrence of G. densiflora in the Dutch dunes are briefly summarized. There are occasional mentions of abundant presence in some locations, but nowadays it has become very rare in these dunes.