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Limodorum abortivum

Limodorum abortivum (Orchidaceae) 115 22

 

Limodorum abortivum (Violet Limodore or Violet birds-nest orchid) is a species of myco-heterotrophic, achlorophyllous orchid, and is native to mainland Europe, western Asia, and the Mediterranean area.

It is a rhizomatous herbaceous plant growing to 85 cm, with an inflorescence of 10-20 violet flowers produced from April to June. The leaves are reduced to scales and, although Limodorum contains photosynthetic pigments, these are insufficient to support the nutrition of the adult plant which is believed to rely entirely on a mycoheterotrophic or parasitic relationship with fungi, primarily of the family Russulaceae. Seeds are among the largest produced by orchids and seedlings develop very slowly, remaining entirely below ground for 8–10 years before flowering.

Typical Mediterranean habitat is open woodland of evergreen oak, pine, and chestnut on alkaline soil from sea level to 1,300 meters.

 

Source: Wikipedia.

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Uploaded on May 3, 2022
Taken on April 25, 2022