| Lady orchid | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Orchidoideae |
| Genus: | Orchis |
| Species: | O. purpurea |
| Binomial name | |
| Orchis purpurea Hudson |
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The Lady Orchid (Orchis purpurea) is an herbaceous plant belonging to the Genus Orchis of the family Orchidaceae.
Contents |
Orchis purpurea reaches on average 30–100 centimetres (12–39 in) of height. The leaves are broad and oblong-lanceolate, forming a rosette about the base of the plant and surrounding the flower spike. They are fleshy and bright green, and can be up to 15 cm long. The inflorescence is densely covered with up to 50 flowers. The sepals and upper petals are violaceous or purple (hence the Latin name purpurea of the species). The flower's labellum is pale pink or white, with a center spotted by clusters of violaceous or purple hairs. It is divided into three lobes; the outer two are small and narrow, and the inner is large, rounded, and heart-shaped. Flowering occurs in late April to June.
This orchid can be found in most parts of Europe, northern Africa, Turkey, and the Caucasus. Lady orchids usually grow in woodlands, in the oak forests, in slope and in the meadows, but occasionally occur on savanna. They prefer limestone or chalk soil, in shady or sunny places, at an altitude of 0–1,350 metres (0–4,430 ft) above sea level.
The Lady Orchid may be mistaken for the Military Orchid or Monkey Orchid. The three species often hybridize, making them difficult to identify, although the shape of the labellum is distinct to each species.
Deer, especially the Muntjac, and slugs are among the greatest threats to this orchid. Human activity - picking flowers or uprooting plants - is also a concern.
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Orchis fuscata Pall. 1773 |
Strateuma grandis Salisb. 1812 |