Syn.: Androrchis pallens (L.) D.Tyteca et E. Klein, Orchis sulphurea Sims.
Family: Orchidaceae Juss.
Distribution: It occurs in central and southeastern Europe, westward to the north of the Iberian Peninsula, southward to the central Apennines, eastward to the western Caucasus.
Ecology: It grows on meadows, in scrub, open forests and forest margins. Blooms from late April to May.
Description: Perennial herb with subglobose or ovoid tubers. Stem erect, 15–40 cm tall, leaves distributed along lower half of stem, oblong or oblong-obovate. Spike ovoid or oblong, dense; bracts membranous, lanceolate; flowers pale yellow, outer perianth-segments 7–9 mm, ovate-oblong, obtuse, the 2 lateral deflexed, the median erect; inner perianth-segments oblong, labellum 6–8 × 6–8 mm, suborbicular-rhombic, 3-lobed, lateral lobes orbicular, obtuse, middle lobe almost square, truncate or emarginate, spur cylindrical, shorter than ovary. The fruit is a capsule.
Threat and protection: The Pale-flowered Orchid is protected by law in Czechia, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Ukraine and Russia. It is also protected by CITES.
These images were taken in Czechia, Moravia, Bílé Karpaty, Drahy (May 1–28, 2005).
