This species is sometimes called a subspecies of D. maculata.

Usually it is even more slender than the typical species. The blossoms are darker and deeply indented, so the lip has a long middle lobe.

D. fuchsii has a different chromosome set, so it's probably a mutation of D. maculata. While D. fuchsii is diploid, D. maculata is tetraploid.

Nevertheless, D. fuchsii is capable of prolific bastardization with other Dactylorhiza species. The picture to the left shows a bastard with D. incarnata.

It can be cultivated like D. maculata, although it seems to prefer a little more basic soil.