Résultats de recherche

Gymnadenia rhellicani. Orchis vanille. Nigritella are high altitude orchids only. They can be found in the Massif Central or the Jura for the lowest altitudes but abundantly in the Alps and also in the Pyrenees. Differentiating the species will be a complicated task because even within a station we will find plants with more or less conical or round spikes, more or less elongated. The coloring is generally purple as for many high altitude plants. All species have a more or less pronounced smell of vanilla. It will therefore be necessary to rely on specialized works to find distinctive signs in the shape of the labella and bracts. Click on the photos to enlarge

Neottia ovata . Listere à feuilles ovales. Common twayblade. Orchid of undergrowth generally but it will sometimes be found in full light too. The species is common everywhere in France and at all altitudes. Very easy to identify by its inflorescence and its two large oval leaves in opposition. The flowers have green colors, sometimes almost yellowish and can be tinged with purple traces. The shape of the labellum presents important variations in shape but the general appearance remains typical. The plant measures from 10 to 60 cm. The flower stem can sometimes take curved shapes. The secret flower of nectar to attract pollinators. Flowering extends over a wide period from the beginning of May until July depending on the department and altitude. Click on the photos to enlarge

Neotinea tridentata. Orchis tridenté. Dense flowered orchid. Medium-sized plant (20 to 40 cm) with a ball-shaped inflorescence. Grows in limestone soil in full light to semi-shade. Very similar to other Neotinea (lactea, conica), it differs from them by its more accentuated "points" on the helmet composed of the reunification of the petals and sepals. The coloring can vary between slightly pinkish white and purple. Click on the photos to enlarge

Orchis purpurea. Orchis pourpre. Purple orchid The Purple Orchid is part of the genus Orchis, largely amputated by numerous species now classified in the genera Anacamptis or Dactylorhiza. Orchis are tuberous orchids, usually having two which gave them their Greek name Orchis which means testicle. One of the tubers allows the growth of the plant while the second forms during this same period and will replace the original tuber gradually withered the following year. If we were to dig up an orchid (which I of course prohibit), we would therefore find the tuber of the year more or less withered, the tuber in the making for the future season and sometimes an old one totally withered from the previous year. Orchids are fairly tall plants (20 to 60 cm), rather robust and easily spotted in meadows, wastelands or light undergrowth. The preferred soils are generally calcareous or marly and rather dry. The sepals and lateral petals are united to form a "helmet" while the central petal (labellum) offers a fairly complex shape that varies from one species to another. Three Orchis are quite close morphologically and "coloristically": Orchis militaris (Military Orchis), Orchis purpurea (Purple Orchis) and Orchis simia (Monkey Orchis). Hybridizations are therefore possible that will not allow a certain identification. Its very dark purple or pink color allows it to be distinguished from the more pink Military Orchid or Monkey Orchid. Its labellum, although similar to the Military Orchid, is also trilobed but quite wide at the base. Likewise, it is provided with small tufts of hair. Present in many departments (except Brittany and Massif Central due to unsuitable soil), it flowers between the end of April and the end of June depending on the region and altitude. It is one of the most common orchids in France. Click on the photos to enlarge

Epipactis atrorubens. Epipactis pourpre. Dark red helleborine. Superb summer orchid with a generally very dark purple color. The floral elements of Epipactis are complex and sometimes very colorful. But the flowering of the majority of species is often late (from June to August) and for many species takes place in the undergrowth. They are therefore not very noticeable at this relatively late time. New species are discovered (or named) regularly in Europe. The genus Epipactis is also very widespread in the northern hemisphere. Species hybridize easily within the genus, which will sometimes complicate identification. For Epipactis atrorubens, no worries, the stem is generally tall and bears a cluster of many flowers ranging from slightly faded red to intense purple. The labellum is wrinkled as you will see in the photos. It can be seen on the edge of woods, along roadsides, on rather dry and calcareous ground. Widespread in France in the eastern half and the South (and very rarely in the West and the Center). In Epipactis, the labellum is divided into two parts: the hypochile, concave, contains more or less nectar, which gives it a shiny appearance, and the epichile, often pointed, sometimes folded, with a complex appearance, rarely smooth and covered with bumps, hollows or furrows that allow insects to cling while they draw nectar. Petals and sepals are generally of the same color, more or less greenish. The pollinia, once stuck on the head of the insect, slowly disintegrate, which allows several flowers to be fertilized. Click on the photos to enlarge

Gymnadenia conopsea odoratissima. Orchis moucheron. Fragrant orchid. Gymnadenias have a reputation for giving off a faint vanilla scent and this species is no exception, although sometimes the flowers can be odorless. Gymnadenia odoratissima will be very difficult to differentiate apart from a more pronounced odor and a smaller size. In the field therefore, unless you have 2 populations to observe in parallel, naming one and the other requires measuring the flowers. The other morphological differences are quite subtle and relate to the size of the flowers, the shape of the labellum in particular. The distribution area being included in that of Gymnadenia conopsea , this complicates the task even more. Click on the photos to enlarge

Orchis militaris. Orchis militaire. Military orchid. The military orchid is part of the genus Orchis, largely amputated from many species now classified in the genera Anacamptis or Dactylorhiza. In each genus, one species is the lectotype (in synthesis, the most representative species) and the Orchis militaire represents the genus Orchis. Orchis are tuberous orchids, usually having two which gave them their Greek name Orchis which means testicle. One of the tubers allows the growth of the plant while the second forms during this same period and will replace the original tuber gradually withered the following year. If we were to dig up an orchid (which I of course prohibit), we would therefore find the tuber of the year more or less withered, the tuber in the making for the future season and sometimes an old one totally withered from the previous year. Orchids are fairly tall plants (20 to 60 cm), rather robust and easily spotted in meadows, wastelands or light undergrowth. The preferred soils are generally calcareous or marly and rather dry. The sepals and lateral petals are united to form a "helmet" while the central petal (labellum) offers a fairly complex shape that varies from one species to another. Three Orchis are quite close morphologically and "coloristically": Orchis militaris (Military Orchis), Orchis purpurea (Purple Orchis) and Orchis simia (Monkey Orchis). Hybridizations are therefore possible that will not allow a certain identification. The military orchid is rather pink with a narrow labellum in its central part itself provided with small tufts of hair. Present in many departments (except Brittany and Massif Central due to unsuitable soil), it flowers between the end of April and the end of June depending on the region and altitude. Click on the photos to enlarge

Découvrez Ophrys apifera Ophrys abeille sur Orchidée-photo.com Ophrys provincialis. Ophrys de Provence. Provence bee orchid Medium-sized Ophrys. Moderately flowering plant. It "replaces" Ophrys sphegodes in the southeastern Mediterranean region of France. Sepals and petals are green, sometimes purplish. The basal field is often red, with a variable macular pattern generally bordered in white. Pseudo-eyes surrounded by white. Click on the photos to enlarge

Epipactis distans . Epipactis à feuilles écartées. Distant helleborine. (C. Arvet-Touvet) The flower is typical of Epipactis in its shape with petals and sepals of the same whitish/greenish colour. The hypochile is dark brown in colour. Like all Epipactis, it flowers in June/July in semi-shade. It can also be found on the side of the road in open terrain but at altitude. In Epipactis, the labellum is divided into two parts: the hypochile, concave, contains more or less nectar, which gives it a shiny appearance, and the epichile, often pointed, sometimes folded, with a complex appearance, rarely smooth and covered with bumps, hollows or furrows that allow insects to cling while they draw nectar. Petals and sepals are generally of the same color, more or less greenish. The pollinia, once stuck on the head of the insect, slowly disintegrate, which allows several flowers to be fertilized. Click on the photos to enlarge

Ophrys aymoninii. Ophrys d'Aymonin. Fly orchid. Long considered an atypical form of Ophrys insectifera (fly orchid), this pretty little orchid was given species status in 1981 and its name (which is quite rare for European orchids) is dedicated to a botanist: G. Aymonin. The general shape of the plant or the floral elements are therefore almost identical but the yellow margin around the lower part of the labellum distinguishes it from O. insectifera . We also find a white or metallic blue band in the middle of the labellum and petals like small antennae but green/yellow in color, sometimes slightly tinged with brown. Hybrids are possible with O sphegodes or O araneola . The orchid is present in a handful of departments in the south of France only: Aveyron, Lozère, Herault and Gard. It will be found quite easily in the Causses of Aveyron. Click on the photos to enlarge

Ophrys arachnitiformis. Ophrys en forme d'araignée. False spider orchid. Ophrys arachnitiformis is one of the species that is not always easy to identify, especially since the authors of guides (as well as many pseudo-specialists) do not always have the same definition, consider that the geographical distribution differs, or do not present similar illustrations. It must be considered as a subspecies of Ophrys sphegodes from the Mediterranean rim with a rather early flowering. The sepals and petals are white to pink with a medium-sized labellum. As sometimes, everything is a matter of conviction but not always of convincing scientific elements, we must therefore remain cautious and for my part, I deliver this description and these views with all reserve in the hope of a finally settled debate and a precise diagnosis for the future. Click on the photos to enlarge

Epipactis purpurata . Epipactis pourpre. Violet helleborine. (J. E. Smith) A plant of undergrowth, sometimes of clearings, Epipactis purpurata measures from 20 to 70 cm. The flowers can be washed with purple or remain rather dull but the stem is generally of a slightly purple tint. The leaves are of medium to small size. In Epipactis, the labellum is divided into two parts: the hypochile, concave, contains more or less nectar, which gives it a shiny appearance, and the epichile, often pointed, sometimes folded, with a complex appearance, rarely smooth and covered with bumps, hollows or furrows that allow insects to cling while they draw nectar. Petals and sepals are generally of the same color, more or less greenish. The pollinia, once stuck on the head of the insect, slowly disintegrate, which allows several flowers to be fertilized. Click on the photos to enlarge