Orchis militaris
Orchis militaris (Orchidaceae) 142 23
The name of this widespread but beautiful orchid refers to the helmeted, soldierly appearance of the individual flowers.
Despite its wide Euro-Siberian range, it is a local species, although it may be abundant in its preferred sites in continental Europe. The distribution of this orchid ranges from Great Britain in the north, across the northern Mediterranean, to Russia in the east. It is uncommon in Mediterranean regions and also in the UK.
Its habitat requirements are varied and, while in Britain it is exclusively a gully plant, in France and Switzerland there are colonies that thrive in bogs with their feet literally in standing water. In Europe, where Orchis militaris grows in large numbers with both Orchis simia and Orchis purpurea, hybridization is common and the resulting progeny can appear in a bewildering and often very attractive variety.
Orchis militaris
Orchis militaris (Orchidaceae) 142 23
The name of this widespread but beautiful orchid refers to the helmeted, soldierly appearance of the individual flowers.
Despite its wide Euro-Siberian range, it is a local species, although it may be abundant in its preferred sites in continental Europe. The distribution of this orchid ranges from Great Britain in the north, across the northern Mediterranean, to Russia in the east. It is uncommon in Mediterranean regions and also in the UK.
Its habitat requirements are varied and, while in Britain it is exclusively a gully plant, in France and Switzerland there are colonies that thrive in bogs with their feet literally in standing water. In Europe, where Orchis militaris grows in large numbers with both Orchis simia and Orchis purpurea, hybridization is common and the resulting progeny can appear in a bewildering and often very attractive variety.