ORCHIS MORIO L. – Green-winged Orchid

Syn.: Orchis officinalis Salisb., Orchis crenulata Gilib.
Family: Orchidaceae Juss.

Distribution: Europe, except the northernmost, southernmost and easthernmost areas.
Habitat: Grows in meadows and grassy slopes, pastures, from lowlands to foothills.
Description: Perennial herb, 8–40 cm high, with an erect stem. The lower leaves are lanceolate, to 14 cm long, upper ones smaller, unspotted. The flowers are in a short terminal raceme, purple, rarely whitish, green-veined. Flowers from May to June. The fruit is a capsule.
Threat and Protection: Green-winged Orchid is an endangered and strictly protected plant in some countries (CZ, SK). This species is simultaneously protected by Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).


Photos: 18. 5. and 20. 6. 2003 (Ladislav Hoskovec: Czechia, Bílé Karpaty, Čertoryje); 5. 5. 2003 and 15. 5. 2004 (Zdeněk Podešva: Czechia, Bílé Potoky and Louky pod Javorovou).