Orchis provincialis

Orchis provincialis, the Provence orchid, is a species of orchid in the genus Orchis.

Provence orchis
Flower of Orchis provincialis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Genus: Orchis
Species:
O. provincialis
Binomial name
Orchis provincialis
Synonyms
  • Orchis cyrilli Ten. 1820
  • Orchis laeta Steinh. 1838
  • Orchis leucostachys Griseb. 1840
  • Orchis mascula Alsch. 1832
  • Orchis olbiensis Ardoino ex Moggr. 1864
  • Orchis pallens Savi
  • Orchis provincialis var. laeta (Steinh.) Maire & Weiller 1959
  • Orchis pseudopallens Tod. 1842[1]

Description

Orchis provincialis is a herbaceous plant 20–40 centimetres (7.9–15.7 in) high. The 4-5 basal leaves are oblong-lanceolate, with a length of about 8 cm and arranged in a rosette, the color is green with purplish brown spots. The cauline leaves are sheathing the stem, with yellowish lanceolate bracts. The inflorescence comprises 5 to 30 small flowers. Their color varies from creamy white or pale yellow to various shades of pink and purple in some varieties. The lateral sepals are ovate and erect, the median sepal is slightly leaning forward. The labellum is trilobed, with small spots from orange to purple on the median lobe. The white spur is cylindrical and curved upward, longer than the ovary. The gynostegium is short, obtuse, with pale yellow pollen. This orchid blooms from March to June.

Distribution

The species has a Mediterranean distribution and it is widespread from northwestern Africa, south-central and southern Europe to the Caucasus.

Habitat

Orchis provincialis prefers slightly acidic soils of grassland, scrub and woodland, at an altitude of 0–1,750 metres (0–5,741 ft) above sea level.

  • Plants
  • Flowers
  • Flower
  • Close-up on a flower
  • Close-up on a flower
  • Leaf

References
  1. Synonyms in The Internet Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia
  • Pierre Delforge - Orchids of Europe, North Africa And the Middle East - 2006, Timber Press
  • Pignatti S. - Flora d'Italia (3 voll.) - Edagricole – 1982, Vol. III
  • Tutin, T.G. et al. - Flora Europaea, second edition - 1993
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