Neotinea ustulata
Neotinea ustulata (Orchidaceae) ) 149 24
The name of this beautiful orchid refers to the dark red coloration of the unopened flowers that produces the scorched effect from which the common name burnt-tipped orchid is derived.
It is an isolated species that has always been the subject of debate as to its true generic origin. It began its existence formally described as Neotinia ustulata and was later reclassified as Orchis, where it remained for many years until research indicated that both it and its companions in the Orchis tridentata group should be more properly relocated to the Neotinia stable. It has always been puzzling that, despite often growing in the thousands with other Orchis species, Orchis ustulata has never been found to hybridize with any species other than Orchis. tridentata.
It is a widespread orchid, with a range that takes it from the Faroe Islands and Sweden north to the Mediterranean and east to western Siberia. It is usually most common in mountainous areas, where it prefers a full sun location on alkaline soils, usually short grass and alpine pastures.
Given its range of ecological zones, it can be found from April to August. Today it is known to have at least two successive flowering waves, and these later flowering plants are believed to be a separate subspecies, tentatively named aestivalis.
Source: John and Gerry's Orchids of Britain and Europe
Neotinea ustulata
Neotinea ustulata (Orchidaceae) ) 149 24
The name of this beautiful orchid refers to the dark red coloration of the unopened flowers that produces the scorched effect from which the common name burnt-tipped orchid is derived.
It is an isolated species that has always been the subject of debate as to its true generic origin. It began its existence formally described as Neotinia ustulata and was later reclassified as Orchis, where it remained for many years until research indicated that both it and its companions in the Orchis tridentata group should be more properly relocated to the Neotinia stable. It has always been puzzling that, despite often growing in the thousands with other Orchis species, Orchis ustulata has never been found to hybridize with any species other than Orchis. tridentata.
It is a widespread orchid, with a range that takes it from the Faroe Islands and Sweden north to the Mediterranean and east to western Siberia. It is usually most common in mountainous areas, where it prefers a full sun location on alkaline soils, usually short grass and alpine pastures.
Given its range of ecological zones, it can be found from April to August. Today it is known to have at least two successive flowering waves, and these later flowering plants are believed to be a separate subspecies, tentatively named aestivalis.
Source: John and Gerry's Orchids of Britain and Europe