The Man Orchid is an orchid of the western Mediterranean area which prefers a calcareous soil. To the east you find it less frequent. It favours warm meadows or light bushes and is also to be found in Germany.

According to new molecular biological analyses the Man Orchid is regrouped with members of the ‚militaris-group‘ into the genus Orchis as Orchis anthropophora. To this the study is convenient that the Man Orchid hybridises with members of the ‚militaris-group‘ within the genus Orchis. Hybrids with Orchis italica, Orchis militaris, Orchis purpurea and Orchis simia are known.