Flowering from May to August.
Gymnadenia orchidis is close relative of Gymnadenia conopsea, but differs from the latter in its leaves elliptic to elliptic-oblong (vs. linear-lanceolate, narrowly oblong, or lorate), mid-lobe of lip equal to or slightly larger than lateral lobes (vs. mid-lobe of lip usually smaller than lateral lobes).
Gymnadenia orchidis is occurring in SE Gansu, W Hubei, S Qinghai, S Shaanxi, W Sichuan, E and S Xizang, NW Yunnan of China, Bhutan, NE India, Kashmir, Nepal, Pakistan.
Plants robust, 15-45 cm tall. Tubers ovoid-ellipsoid, 1-3 cm, with slender, elongate lobes. Stem stout, with 2-3-tubular sheaths at base and 3-6 cauline leaves. Leaves widely spaced or clustered, elliptic to elliptic-oblong, 4-15 cm long, 2.5-4.5 cm wide, apex obtuse to acute. Inflorescence 8-25 cm, stout; peduncle with 1-2 scattered, lanceolate bracts 2-5 cm long; rachis 3-13 cm long, densely many flowered; floral bracts lanceolate, apex acuminate, basal ones longer than flowers. Flowers purplish red or pink, very rarely tinged with white; ovary 7-8 mm long including pedicel. Dorsal sepal erect, ovate, 3-5 mm long, 2-3.5 mm wide, 3-veined, apex obtuse; lateral sepals reflexed, ovate, oblique, 4-5 mm long, 2.5-4 mm wide, 3-veined, margin revolute, apex obtuse. Petals straight, broadly ovate-triangular, oblique, 3-6 mm long, 2.5-4 mm wide, 3-veined, apex obtuse; lip spreading, broadly obovate, 3.5-6 mm long, 3-4.5 mm wide, 3-lobed at apex; lateral lobes ovate, 1-2 mm wide, apex obtuse; mid-lobe triangular, 1-2.2 mm wide, equal to or slightly larger than lateral lobes, apex obtuse to subacute; spur pendulous, slightly curved forward, 7-12 mm long, equal to or exceeding ovary, slender. Column ca. 2 mm long; viscidia lanceolate.
Growing in forests, thickets, alpine grassland; 3000-4000 m.
