Anacamptis morio. Orchis bouffon Green winged orchid. Where to find it ? Clic on the map and connect to Orchis sauvage, FFO-Fédération France Orchidées Green winged orchid ( Anacamptis morio ) formerly attached to the genus Orchis is a relatively common and rather early plant (from April to June). The genus is European and well represented in France with very common species such as the pyramidal Anacamptis (Orchis pyramidal) or others more localized mainly in the south of the country. Relatively easy to identify: the stem measures 10 to 30 cm, it is green and turns purple at the level of the inflorescence. The green, unspotted leaves are sometimes inconspicuous but generally bloom from the base. The flowers range from light pink to purple, The sepals and petals are grouped together in the shape of a helmet (like the majority Orchis). The sepals are striped, which will make it easy to differentiate the Jester Orchis from the male Orchis which sometimes shares the same biotope with the same flowering dates. A few meters away, confusion is possible. Click on the photos to enlarge

Orchidee-photo.com : Site de photographie des orchidées sauvages françaises et européennes. Discover orchids, Orchis, Ophrys, Epipactis, Anacamptis, Cephalanthera, Plantanthera. Photographies par Pascal Decologne. 5I8A5247 Décrivez votre image. Non-commercial site: you will never be asked for your personal details or to make any payment on this site. Photos of wild native orchids Discover Orchids from France and Europe by Pascal Decologne. Orchidee-photo.com France : Alpes maritimes, Var, Aude, Aveyron, Lozère, Jura, Queyras, Savoie, Essonne, Seine & Marne, Yvelines, Côte d'Or, Yonne. Sardinia (Italy) Gargano (Italy) Rhodes (Greece) Quick Access: Basics of Orchids Get free high definition files on demand: Order form . Illustrations d'orchidées européennes Orchids of France These orchids are present in France and for the vast majority in other European countries. There are no species of orchids endemic to France, but there are sometimes regional varieties that can be elevated to the rank of subspecies ( Ophrys aymoninii for example). Clic on pictures below to see more. Cypripedium calceolus. Sabot de Venus. Lady's slipper. Updated 07/2025 Serapias neglecta. Serapias négligé. Scarse serapias. Updated 06/2025 Anacamptis morio. Orchis bouffon. Green winged orchid. Updated 08/2023 Anacamptis papilionacea. Orchis papillon. Pink butterfly orchid. Updated 08/2023 Orchis simia. Orchis singe. Monkey orchid. Updated 09/2023 Orchis provincialis. Orchis de Provence. Provence orchid. Updated 09/2023 Traunsteinera globosa. Orchis globuleux. Globe orchid. Updated 09/2023 Gymnadenia corneliana. Nigritelle rose/de Cornelia. Cornelia's gymnadenia. Updated 08/2025 Chamorchis alpina. Orchis nain des Alpes. Alpine dwarf orchid. Updated 07/2025 Epipactis atrorubens. Epipactis pourpre. Dark red helleborine. Updated 10/2023 Epipactis microphylla. Epipactis à petites feuilles. Small leaved helleborine. Updated 10/2023. Neotinea tridentata. Orchis tridenté. Three toothed orchid. Updated 08/2024. Dactylorhiza fuchsii. Orchis de Fuchs. Common spotted orchid. Updated 10/2023 Dactylorhiza majalis. Orchis de Mai. Broad leaved marsh orchid. Updated 08/2025 Cephalanthera longifolia. Cephalanthère à longues feuilles. Sword leaved helleborine. Updated 10/2023 Ophrys apifera. Ophrys abeille. Bee orchid. Updated 08/2025 Ophrys aveyronensis. Ophrys de l'Aveyron. Aveyron orchid. Updated 02/2024. Ophrys passionis/caloptera. Ophrys de la passion. Passion flower orchid. Updated 09/2024 Ophrys splendida. Ophrys splendide. Brilliant orchid. Updated 08/2025. Ophrys fusca. Ophrys brun. Dark bee orchid. Updated 03/2024 Ophrys speculum. Ophrys miroir. Mirror orchid. Updated December 2023 Serapias lingua. Serapias en langue. Tongue orchid. Updated 08/2023 Serapias parviflora. Serapias à petites fleurs. Small flower tongue orchid. Updated 08/2023 Anacamptis longicornu. Orchis à long éperon. Long spurred orchid. Updated 08/2023 Anacamptis pyramidalis. Orchis pyramidal. Pyramidal orchid. Updated 08/2023 Orchis mascula. Orchis mâle. Male orchid. Updated 09/2023 Orchis anthropophora. Orchis homme pendu. Man orchid. Updated 09/2023 Gymnadenia conopsea. Orchis moucheron. Fragrant orchid. Updated 09/2023 Platanthera chlorantha. Platanthère verte. Greater butterfly orchid. Updated 09/2023 Coeloglossum viride. Orchis grenouille. Frog orchid. Updated 08/2024 Epipactis helleborine. Epipactis à larges feuilles. Broad leaved helleborine. Updated 08/2024. Epipactis palustris. Epipactis des marais. Marsh helleborine. Updated 10/2023 Neotinea maculata. Orchis intact. Dense flowered orchid. Updated 10/2023. Dactylorhiza maculata. Orchis maculé/tacheté. Heath spotted orchid. Updated 10/2023 Dactylorhiza praetermissa. Orchis négligé. Southern marsh orchid. Updated 08/2025 Cephalanthera damasonium. Cephalanthère blanche. Large white helleborine. Updated 10/2023 Ophrys scolopax. Ophrys bécasse. Woodcock orchid. Updated 12/2023 Ophrys sphegodes/aranifera. Ophrys araignée. Early spider orchid. Updated 01/2024 Ophrys massiliensis. Ophrys de Marseille. Marseille orchid. Updated 12/2023 Ophrys aurelia. Ophrys d'Aurélien. Bertoloni's bee orchid. Updated 08/2025. Pseudophrys non déterminés Ophrys bombyliflora. Ophrys bombyx. Bumble bee orchid. Updated December 2023 Serapias vomeracea. Serapias à labelle allongé. Long lipped serapias. Updated 06/2025 Spiranthes spiralis. Spiranthe d'automne. Autumn lady's tresses. Updated 08/2023 Anacamptis laxiflora. Orchis à fleurs lâches. Loose-flowered orchid. Updated 09/2023 Orchis purpurea. Orchis pourpre. Purple orchid. Updated 09/2023. Orchis spitzelii. Orchis de Spitzel. Spitzel male orchid. Updated 07/2025 Himantoglossum hircinum. Orchis bouc. Lizard orchid. Updated 09/2023 Gymnadenia odoratissima. Orchis très odorant. Short spurred fragrant orchid. Updated 09/2023 Platanthera bifolia. Platanthère à deux feuilles. Lesser butterfly orchid. Updated 09/2023 Neottia ovata. Listère ovale. Common twayblade. Updated 10/2023 Epipactis muelleri. Epipactis de Müller. Mueller's helleborine. Updated 10/2023 Epipactis purpurata. Epipactis pourpre . Violet helleborine. Updated 08/2025. Neotinea ustulata. Orchis brûlé. Burnt orchid. Updated 08/2025 Dactylorhiza elata. Orchis élevé. Robust marsh orchid. Updated 10/2023 Dactylorhiza sambucina. Orchis sureau. Elder flowered orchid. Updated 10/2023 Ophrys fuciflora. Ophrys frelon. Late spider orchid. Updated 08/2025 Ophrys philippi. Ophrys de Philippe. Philippe's ophrys. Updated 06/2025 Ophrys incubacea. Ophrys noir. Dark spider orchid. Updated 01/2024. Ophrys araneola. Ophrys petite araignée. Early spider orchid. Updated 08/2024 Ophrys lutea. Ophrys jaune. Yellow bee orchid. Updated 01/2024 Ophrys insectifera. Ophrys mouche. Fly orchid. Updated 12/2023 Serapias cordigera . Serapias en coeur. Heart flowered serapias. Updated 06/2025 Goodyera repens. Goodyère rampante. Creeping lady's tresses. Updated 08/2023 Anacamptis coriophora fragrans. Orchis parfumé. Bug orchid. Updated 08/2025 Orchis militaris. Orchis militaire. Military orchid. Updated 09/2023 Orchis olbiensis. Orchis d'Hyères. Olbia orchis. Updated 08/2025 Himantoglossum robertianum. Barlie de Robert. Giant orchid. Updated 08/2025 Gymnadenia rhellicani. Orchis vanille. Black vanilla orchid. Updated 09/2023 Pseudorchis albida. Orchis miel. Small white orchid. Updated 10/2023 Neottia nidus-avis. Neottie nid d'oiseau. Bird's nest orchid. Updated 10/2023 Epipactis distans. Epipactis à feuilles distantes. Distant helleborine. Updated 08/2025. Neotinea lactea. Orchis lacté. Milky orchid. Updated 10/2023 Limodorum abortivum. Limodore à feuilles avortées. Violet limodore. Updated 10/2023 Dactylorhiza incarnata. Orchis incarnat. Early marsh orchid. Updated 10/2023 Cephalanthera rubra. Cephalanthère rouge. Red helleborine. Updated 10/2023 Ophrys druentica. Ophrys de la Durance. Durance orchid. Updated 08/2025 Ophrys tenthredinifera. Ophrys guêpe. Sawfly orchid. Updated 02/2024 Ophrys provincialis. Ophrys de Provence. Provence bee orchid Updated 06/2025. Ophrys arachnitiformis. Ophrys en forme d'araignée. False spider orchid. Updated 08/2024. Ophrys lupercalis. Ophrys des lupercales. Dark bee orchid. Ophrys aymoninii. Ophrys d'Aymonin. Fly orchid. Updated December 2023. Orchids of Sardinia Presentation of some endemic species of Sardinia (or mainly present on the island and rarely elsewhere). Click on pictures to access the gallery Ophrys annae. Ophrys d'Anne. Ophrys fuciflora subsp. annae . Updated 09/2024 Ophrys exaltata morisii. Ophrys de Moris. Ophrys x arachnitiformis . Updated 09/2024 Ophrys chestermanii. Ophrys de Chesterman. Ophrys fuciflora subsp. chestermanii . Updated 09/2024 Ophrys fusca iricolor subsp. eleonorae. Ophrys d'Eleonore . Updated 09/2024 Ophrys normanii. Ophrys de Norman. Ophrys tenthredinifera subsp. normanii . Updated 09/2024 Orchis ichnusae. Orchis de Sardaigne. Ophrys mascula subsp. ichnusae . Updated 09/2024 Ophrys exaltata morisii. Ophrys de Moris. Ophrys x arachnitiformis . Updated 09/2024 Ophrys exaltata morisii. Ophrys de Moris. Ophrys x arachnitiformis . Updated 09/2024 Ophrys exaltata morisii. Ophrys de Moris. Ophrys x arachnitiformis . Updated 09/2024 Orchids from Monte Gargano (Pouilles, It) Presentation of some typical species of Monte Gargano. (and not common with the French species presented above). Located in southern Italy, in the Puglia region, at the height of Naples, Monte Gargano is a small massif with mainly limestone soil that juts out into the Adriatic Sea. The lower part to the west attached to the Italian boot is a cultivated plain and the massif to the east is a land of olive trees and semi-dense forest. Its highest point is at 1050 meters (Monte Calvo - Bald Mountain), which installs a relative layering of vegetation from sea level to the summit plateaus and thus allows to observe a great diversity of orchids. The deciduous forest shelters only a few orchids, it will therefore be necessary to look for them on the edges or on the limestone plateaus often particularly bare. The little plant substrate on certain karst limestone slabs does not prevent the development of species of which some abound ( Anacamptis morio and papilionacea in particular). Over a full year, between 70 and 80 species and subspecies of orchids can be observed. Click on the photos to access the orchid species galleries. Orchis quadripunctata. Orchis à 4 points. Four spotted orchid. Updated 09/2024 Dactylorhiza romana. Orchis de Rome. Roman orchid. Updated 09/2024 Ophrys apulica. Ophrys des Pouilles. Ophrys fuciflora subsp. apulica. Updated 09/2024 Orchis italica. Orchis d'Italie. Naked man orchid. Updated 09/2024 Ophrys bertolonii-bertoloniiformis. Ophrys de Bertoloni. Bertoloni's bee orchid. Updated 09/2024 Ophrys parvimaculata. Ophrys à petite macule. Ophrys fuciflora subsp. parvimaculata. Updated 09/2024 Orchis pauciflora. Orchis pauciflore. Sparse flowered orchid. Updated 09/2024 Ophrys biscutella. Ophrys à 2 losanges. Small-mirror ophrys. Updated 09/2024 Ophrys garganica. Ophrys du Gargano. Ophrys sphegodes subsp. passionis . Mise à jour 09/2024 Ophrys promontorii. Promontory Ophrys. Ophrys lunulata subsp. promontorii . Updated 09/2024 Orchids of Rhodes (Greece) Presentation of some typical species from the island of Rhodes (and not shared with the French species presented above). 18 original species to discover Rhodes is a medium-sized Greek island located far from mainland Greece but close to the Turkish coast. It is about 80 km long and up to 40 km wide, with a highest point at 1200 m (Mount Attavyros). The biotopes are relatively varied depending on altitude. Mount Profitis Ilias, near Mount Attavyros, is wooded all the way to the top, while the latter, being higher, is completely barren from around 700 meters of elevation. These two adjoining massifs trap clouds, and the vegetation is denser and greener than in the rest of the island, which experiences frequent wildfires, especially in the central and southern parts. Rhodes is renowned for its orchids, some of which are also found in Crete or Turkey. However, one should not expect high densities outside a few rare spots. During the period I visited (early April), I encountered other species not listed below because they are common in France and do not exhibit island-specific characteristics. Some photos taken on-site will therefore be included in the iconography of French species. These species are visible, sometimes relatively abundant, and in full bloom (unless otherwise noted): Anacamptis pyramidalis (beginning of flowering), Anacamptis coriophora fragrans (beginning of flowering), Anacamptis laxiflora, Anacamptis papilionacea, Anacamptis picta, Limodorum abortivum (not flowering), Orchis provincialis, Orchis italica, Himantoglossum robertianum (end of flowering), Neotinea maculata, Neotinea lactea, Ophrys bombyliflora, Ophrys speculum. Ophrys phryganae and Ophrys sicula can also be found, though they are sometimes difficult to distinguish and are occasionally treated as Ophrys lutea, which is well known elsewhere. With GPS coordinates that eliminate the need for prospecting, one could find around forty species and subspecies during this period. That wasn't my case, but I was able to benefit from information shared by other orchid enthusiasts I met locally to complement my research. I can provide GPS data for a few representative spots I personally observed, for future visitors. Given potential biotope changes (construction, roadwork, fires), it's best to rely on recent data. These coordinates date from April 2025. You can also consult recent 2024 and 2025 field reports from the UK-based tour operator Mariposa. No GPS points, but location indications: 👉 https://www.mariposanature.com/destinations/greece In early April, the climate is pleasant, with temperatures not exceeding 25°C and often much lower (especially at night! — be sure to check if your accommodation has auxiliary heating). I personally experienced many rainy days. Luckily or not, it shows in the photos… In the island’s interior, there are very few gas stations and hardly any places to eat outside the summer season. Even though distances are never very long, it's important to plan ahead. The road network is fairly well maintained, and parking is usually easy without obstructing traffic, as the roads are wide enough. Locals themselves don't hesitate to park partly on the road when stopping. Guides on the orchids of Rhodes are not very up to date and are unavailable new (Orchids Crete & Dodecanese by H. & G. Kretzschmar, The Orchids of Crete and Rhodes by C.A.J. Kreutz). You will therefore need to rely on more general guides (see the “Guides” tab on this site): 👉 https://www.orchidee-photo.com/guides-livres Click on pictures to access the gallery Anacamptis sancta. Orchis saint. Holy orchid. Updated 06/2025 Orchis anatolica. Orchis d'Anatolie. Anatolian orchid. Updated 06/2025 Ophrys mammosa. Ophrys à mamelles. Breasted ophrys. Updated 06/2025 Ophrys regis ferdinandii. Ophrys du Roi Ferdinand. King Ferdinand's ophrys. Updated 06/2025 Ophrys rhodia. Ophrys de Rhodes. Rhodian ophrys. Updated 06/2025 Ophrys heterochila. Ophrys à labelle différent. Various lips ophrys. Updated 06/2025 Serapias orientalis. Serapias oriental. Eastern serapias. Updated 06/2025 Ophrys cretica ssp beloniae. Ophrys de Belon. Belon's ophrys. Updated 06/2025 Ophrys korae. Ophrys de Coré. Core's ophrys. Updated 06/2025 Ophrys omegaifera. Ophrys omega. Omega ophrys. Updated 06/2025 Ophrys umbilicata. Ophrys ombilic. Umbilical ophrys. Updated 06/2025 Ophrys oestrifera. Ophrys taon. Horned bee orchis. Updated 06/2025 Serapias bergonii. Serapias de Bergon. Bergoni's serapias. Updated 06/2025 Ophrys ferrum equinum. Ophrys fer à cheval. Horseshoe ophrys. Updated 06/2025 Ophrys reinholdii. Ophrys de Reinhold. Reinhold's ophrys. Updated 06/2025 Ophrys attaviria. Ophrys attavyros. Attavyros ophrys. Updated 06/2025 Ophrys episcopalis. Ophrys episcopal. Large flowered bee ophrys. Updated 06/2025 Ophrys dodekanensis. Ophrys du Dodecanèse . Dodecanese ophrys. Updated 06/2025 Orchids of Rhodes (Greece) Presentation of some typical species of Monte Gargano. (and not common with the French species presented above). Located in southern Italy, in the Puglia region, at the height of Naples, Monte Gargano is a small massif with mainly limestone soil that juts out into the Adriatic Sea. The lower part to the west attached to the Italian boot is a cultivated plain and the massif to the east is a land of olive trees and semi-dense forest. Its highest point is at 1050 meters (Monte Calvo - Bald Mountain), which installs a relative layering of vegetation from sea level to the summit plateaus and thus allows to observe a great diversity of orchids. The deciduous forest shelters only a few orchids, it will therefore be necessary to look for them on the edges or on the limestone plateaus often particularly bare. The little plant substrate on certain karst limestone slabs does not prevent the development of species of which some abound ( Anacamptis morio and papilionacea in particular). Over a full year, between 70 and 80 species and subspecies of orchids can be observed. Click on pictures to access the gallery Ophrys heterochila. Ophrys à labelle différent. Various lips ophrys. Updated 06/2025 Ophrys heterochila. Ophrys à labelle différent. Various lips ophrys. Updated 06/2025 Ophrys heterochila. Ophrys à labelle différent. Various lips ophrys. Updated 06/2025 Ophrys heterochila. Ophrys à labelle différent. Various lips ophrys. Updated 06/2025 Ophrys heterochila. Ophrys à labelle différent. Various lips ophrys. Updated 06/2025 Ophrys heterochila. Ophrys à labelle différent. Various lips ophrys. Updated 06/2025 Ophrys heterochila. Ophrys à labelle différent. Various lips ophrys. Updated 06/2025 Ophrys heterochila. Ophrys à labelle différent. Various lips ophrys. Updated 06/2025 Ophrys heterochila. Ophrys à labelle différent. Various lips ophrys. Updated 06/2025 Ophrys heterochila. Ophrys à labelle différent. Various lips ophrys. Updated 06/2025 Ophrys heterochila. Ophrys à labelle différent. Various lips ophrys. Updated 06/2025 Ophrys heterochila. Ophrys à labelle différent. Various lips ophrys. Updated 06/2025 Ophrys heterochila. Ophrys à labelle différent. Various lips ophrys. Updated 06/2025 Ophrys heterochila. Ophrys à labelle différent. Various lips ophrys. Updated 06/2025 Ophrys heterochila. Ophrys à labelle différent. Various lips ophrys. Updated 06/2025 Ophrys heterochila. Ophrys à labelle différent. Various lips ophrys. Updated 06/2025 Ophrys heterochila. Ophrys à labelle différent. Various lips ophrys. Updated 06/2025 Ophrys heterochila. Ophrys à labelle différent. Various lips ophrys. Updated 06/2025 Ophrys heterochila. Ophrys à labelle différent. Various lips ophrys. Updated 06/2025 Ophrys heterochila. Ophrys à labelle différent. Various lips ophrys. Updated 06/2025 Ophrys heterochila. Ophrys à labelle différent. Various lips ophrys. Updated 06/2025 Ophrys heterochila. Ophrys à labelle différent. Various lips ophrys. Updated 06/2025 Ophrys heterochila. Ophrys à labelle différent. Various lips ophrys. Updated 06/2025 Ophrys heterochila. Ophrys à labelle différent. Various lips ophrys. Updated 06/2025 Free orchid illustration photos : The photographs presented are not downloadable but as they are not for sale either, I can provide files on request and free of charge. Tell me the desired views, the required definition and the use you wish to make of them beforehand. Indicate the desired reference in the contact form. Ex: OP/AP 01 (Ophrys apifera 01) which appears in the photo caption.

Cephalanthera rubra. Cephalanthère rouge. Red helleborine. Cephalantheres are generally light undergrowth orchids. The flowers open little except for the Rubra species presented here. It is described as red but is clearly closer to pink. Click on the photos to enlarge

Neottia nidus-avis. Neottie nid d'oiseau. Bird's nest orchid. Orchid rather easy to find in the eastern part of the territory but rarer in the west. This plant does not like light and is most often found on the edges of undergrowth or on shaded slopes. Its name comes from its fine, tangled roots. It is said to be a parasite but it draws its subsistence from fungi and therefore from an underground association. As it has an air of resemblance to the orobanches which are themselves parasitic plants, the confusion persists. Sometimes solitary, often in duo and sometimes in larger colonies, the orchid flowers in May, June and until July at altitude (up to 2000 meters). Click on the photos to enlarge

Présentation et démarche du site internet Orchidée-photo.com Approach Space dedicated to enthusiasts of wild orchids in France: The texts and photos on this site do not claim to be scientific or artistic but aim to help better understand the nature around us, which we often know little about. All photos are taken by the author of these lines, and engravings are borrowed from old, public domain works. The photos can be viewed, and I can provide free files upon request if you indicate their intended use. The first tabs showcase orchids found in France, but they are not endemic and can also be found in other European countries. Some of the illustrative photos come from other countries (Italy, Switzerland, etc.). A final tab presents orchids encountered only outside of France. If you have arrived at this space, you are probably aware that our countryside (and sometimes our cities) host wild orchids. Often so discreet that one can pass by them without noticing, the discovery of a single individual can leave us puzzled when trying to identify the species. It is better to find a colony (a group of several individuals) to confirm an identification. In France, many orchid species grow to 10 to 15 cm in height, with flowers smaller than a centimeter, making them easy to overlook. We simply admire them, sometimes photograph them, but never pick them, as most are rare and fragile. Flowers in vases or herbariums are outdated! And if they happen to appear in our gardens, it will be on their initiative. There's no point in attempting transplantation; it will fail in nearly all cases. For an orchid to grow and thrive, it requires a specific combination of terrain, light, and humidity. Above all, the familiar pollinating insects of the species must be present. These conditions are rare... and almost never where we would like them to be. To know them, to name them, is also to love them. I hope to share my passion with you or exchange with you because your passion is just as valuable as mine! A contact form is available. The views are introduced with a short text about the species, its biotope, and a few distinguishing features for identification. This is not intended to replace more detailed guides, but in these books, the iconographic base is often limited to one or two images, which only partially match your observations. The great variability of orchids cannot be summarized with so few photos, and I have often found myself frustrated with this "scarcity." The goal here is to illustrate each species with a broad photographic base, representing both the typical species and many variants. Please do not hesitate to point out any errors regarding the illustrations or the species they belong to, or any other necessary corrections. Identifying orchids is not a competition to check off the greatest number of species. You may sometimes meet enthusiasts who swear they have seen all the species that are still left for you to discover or confidently claim that certain species, reputed to be rare, are actually common. Let this not discourage you in your quest, and remain humble in front of a tricky species: it is often a variety of the most common species or a dilemma that will not have an absolutely certain solution. Around 70 orchid species will be presented, as well as a few subspecies commonly encountered: almost all of the most common ones. Of the approximately 160 species (species + subspecies) in our territory, this will represent the majority or all of the discoveries you could make during a few regional walks or over a season. The other species are either rare to very rare, some regional and highly localized (and some are still absent from my inventory, which certainly gets richer every year but remains partial due to the need to visit many regions). For others, they will be impossible to identify without the help of specialists. You may encounter helpful people in the field or through online contacts, but for identification assistance, some individuals who are very vocal about their numerous or exceptional discoveries will strangely remain silent about yours. The descriptions are basic but, I hope, understandable and sufficient. I have stuck to simple language to be accessible without a glossary, even at the risk of lacking scientific rigor, which some may criticize: this is intentional. Orchids love to deceive, so don't be surprised if you occasionally encounter one outside its normal biotope, in a region where it is not supposed to thrive, growing at an unrecorded altitude, or blooming outside its usual flowering period!

Anacamptis laxiflora. Orchis à fleurs lâches. Loose-flowered orchid. Where to find it ? Clic on the map and connect to Orchis sauvage, FFO-Fédération France Orchidées The flower stalk is not very dense, hence its name, but this is a characteristic shared by other Anacamptis. The flowers range from light to dark pink. The plant is medium to tall and grows in humid environments (at least part of the year - in 2022, a very dry year, the Hérault station that I frequent did not experience any flowering). The density of the plants is very variable and sometimes the concentrations are significant. They grow in full sun or in slightly shaded environments. Its presence is attested over a large part of the territory but the populations can be low. Click on the photos to enlarge

Neotinea ustulata. Orchis brûlé. Burnt orchid. (L.) A beautiful little orchid whose labellum shape vaguely resembles the Purple Orchid (Orchis purpurea ) from a distance. But upon closer observation, the differences quickly become apparent. The plant measures between 10 and 30 cm and bears a variable inflorescence of tiny helmet-shaped flowers (sepals and petals join together to form a hood over the labellum). The labellum is white, speckled with small purple dots, while the hood is purple, varying in intensity. This orchid can be found across much of the country, except in northern France, and flowers from May to early July, depending on region and altitude (up to 2000 m). It can be abundant or rare depending on the biotope, and quickly disappears if the surrounding vegetation becomes too dense, as it prefers short-grass meadows. There is a subspecies or variety (Neotinea ustulata var. aestivalis ) that flowers in July, mainly in the Alps, and is said to be taller, with a more developed flowering spike. It's not easy to determine whether this is truly a distinct variety or simply a late flowering form of the type species, as there are no known sites where both types bloom at different times. Having observed plants in bloom in July in Savoie (where N. ustulata usually flowers in May in other French departments), I still cannot tell them apart! Morphologically, there is no obvious difference — even though N. ustulata var. aestivalis is sometimes described as “taller,” one can find equally tall individuals of the type species elsewhere. The mountain climate and altitude may also explain the later blooming time. However, in the Essonne region, N. ustulata can be observed in May, and the species or its variety aestivalis blooms in nearby Seine-et-Marne (just 25 km away) from mid-June — with a time gap of nearly six weeks, despite nearly identical climate and altitude. This would seem to support the reality of a variety with a delayed flowering period. The flowers of the aestivalis variety also appear slightly more robust. Notably, its blooming is highly irregular from year to year (a ratio of 1 in 10 at least), which is not the case for N. ustulata , which flowers abundantly and consistently in May. Late spring weather events may explain this irregularity. Still, this is the only population known in the area and is highly localized. Does a temporally shifted flowering in such a micro-population justify naming it a separate variety ? Click on the photos to enlarge

BIOGRAPHY Presentation Amateur photographer since adolescence and passionate about natural sciences even if I did not make it my job, I discovered wild orchids about ten years ago by chance. I am lucky to live in the south of Essonne and not far from the forest of Fontainebleau. Between Etampes and Fontainebleau, the wastelands and limestone lawns, which are very frequent, are home to many orchids: Orchis, Ophrys, Epipactis...but you quickly feel cramped and the passion sometimes becomes an endless quest for new species, 'Hybrids, from Lusus. So I quickly extended my surveys to my native region: the Côte d'Or and the neighboring Jura. Then the Alps and La Vanoise to take advantage of the staggered flowering of certain species at altitude. At the beginning of spring, Aude and Aveyron... How and... why stop? Not being monomaniacal for all that, I also photograph other flowers, the insects that visit them. Good visit to all and do not hesitate to comment! Contact me Email: pascal.decologne@laposte.net Send Thank you for what you sent !

Coeloglossum viride. Orchis grenouille. Frog orchid. A rather unobtrusive orchid: its generally green colour, sometimes tinged with red, and its small size (often around ten centimetres) make it invisible in the meadows it loves. It is said to have disappeared from many regions and even though a real decline in populations has been observed, it is sometimes still present but not listed, hidden in the green grass. Genetically close to Dactylorhiza, the genus to which it is sometimes attached, it is nevertheless distinguished morphologically: not very colorful, smaller, with a much shorter nectariferous spur and a bifid labellum that is longer than it is wide. Click on the photos to enlarge

Undetermined pseudophrys . The pseudophrys are sometimes difficult to determine on the one hand because the authors do not agree and as already indicated, the iconographic base supposed to illustrate their guides is limited and varies enormously from one guide to another. The descriptive part is also confusing because the criteria are broad and overlap from one species to another. In their defense, hybrids are common. Should we only see in this case Ophrys fusca and countless varieties or subspecies as long as we agree on stable characters. An observation of a few days in the Aude left me perplexed, here is an anthology of the specimens encountered. In mainland France, you will find on the Parthénope guide of the orchids of France (Bournérias and Prat) O. vasconica, O. lupercalis, O. bilunulata, O. forêti, O. sulcata. Ophrys fusca being considered as an Iberian species. The guide to European orchids from the same publisher (Kühn, Pedersen, Cribb), on the other hand, only recognizes Ophyrs fusca as a species and O. vasconica as a hybrid. Delforge in his guide to orchids in France (ed Delachaux) names O. delforgei, O. bilunulata, O. fusca, O. lupercalis, O. arnoldii, O. forêti, O. sulcata, O. vasconica._cc781905-5cde-3194 -bb3b-136bad5cf58d_ Delforge on the one hand and Bournérias and Prat therefore agree on almost all the species and their distribution. Click on the photos to enlarge

Pseudorchis albida. Orchis miel. Small white orchid. An orchid that loves altitude and cool climates: We will find it from 500 m in the Alps, the Pyrenees and sometimes the Massif Central, Jura and Vosges. Elsewhere, we will find it in Northern Europe or in Russia. One of a kind. A medium-sized plant (between 10 and 30 cm), it grows in meadows or at the edge of high-altitude lakes. Quite easy to identify and generally spotable within the vegetation, it develops a variable inflorescence of approximately 10 to 50 flowers. Click on the photos to enlarge

Himantoglossum hircinum. Orchis bouc. Lizard orchid. The orchid is common in almost all departments and flowers between May and June. A little earlier sometimes in some years. It is generally a large, robust orchid that likes calcareous soils and is often found on slopes. It gets its name from a sometimes musky odor, but often the scent is light or absent. The English more accurately call it "lizard orchid" because of its very characteristic oversized and sometimes twisted labellum. Click on the photos to enlarge