Many orchids can be
found in our region. Here is one currently blooming near the farm.
It is Orchis
mascula, the early-purple
orchid.
It is a perennial herbaceous plant green at the base and purple on the apex.
The root system consists of two tubers, rounded or ellipsoid. The leaves,
grouped at the base of the stem, are oblong-lanceolate, pale green, sometimes
with brownish-purple speckles.
The inflorescence is composed of 6 to 20 flowers gathered in dense
cylindrical spikes. The flower color varies from pink to violet. The lateral
sepals are ovate-lanceolate and erect, the median one, together with the
petals, is smaller and cover the gynostegium. The labellum is three-lobed and convex, with
crenulated margins and the basal part clearer and dotted with purple-brown
spots. The spur is cylindrical or clavate, horizontal or ascending. The
gynostegium is short, with reddish-green anthers.
It blooms from April to June.
This orchid is devoid of nectar and attracts pollinating insects (bees,
wasps and sometimes beetles) with the appearance of its flower which mimics
other species.
The species is widespread across Europe.
It is referred to as "long
purple" by Gertrude in Shakespeare's Hamlet.
A flour called salep
or sachlav is made of the ground tubers of this or some other species of
orchids. It contains a nutritious starch-like polysaccharide called
glucomannan. In some magical traditions, its root is called Adam and Eve Root.
It is said that witches used tubers of this orchid in love potions.
