This species is sometimes declared as a subspecies of the D. incarnata complex.

An orchid of very wet lime meadows. Sometimes the plants are occasionally flooded.

The leaves of these orchids are covered with dots or rings.

The blossoms have an intensive purple-red, sometimes more brown, sometimes more violet. It is a colorful orchid.

D. cruenta is a northern species which grows in Scandinavia, Russia and occasionally in the British isles.

In the orchid garden, it can stand near the edge of a lake or pond, together with D. incarnata and D. ochroleuca which have similar preferences. If the bed is not wet enough, a bucket dug into the earth can help.