 |
Latin: Orchis mascula
English: Early purple orchid
German: Männliches Knabenkraut
Bloom: May to mid-June
These two plants show colour variations of the same orchid.
Photographed near Bad Munstereifel,
May 14, 2006
|
 |
These orchids grow on unfertilized meadows, dry hillsides, bush and
open woods, mostly in calciferous soil.
The flower colours range from pale pink to purple, very occasionally
white. The leaves are spotted as shown here or unspotted as in above photo.
Photographed near Bad Munstereifel,
May 14, 2006 |
 |
A closeup of a purple flower head.
Photographed near Bad Munstereifel,
May 14, 2006 |
 |
A plant with pink flowers and unspotted leaves.
Photographed near Bad Munstereifel,
May 14, 2006 |
 |
Latin: Orchis morio (now Anacamptis
morio)
English: Green winged orchid
German: Kleines Knabenkraut
Bloom: End of April to beginning of July
This is the first orchid to bloom in spring in the Eifel..
Photographed near Stadtkyll,
April 29, 2009 |
 |
These orchids grow on dry to damp, unfertilized meadows and hillsides
on calcium.
Photographed near Stadtkyll,
April 29, 2009 |
 |
Anacamptis morio was originally grouped in the orchis family but was
transferred to anacamptis about 12 years ago, based on new information
on its genetic make-up..
Photographed near Stadtkyll,
April 29, 2009 |
 |
The English name green winged orchid comes from the green striped upper
petals forming the helmet..
Photographed near Stadtkyll,
April 29, 2009 |
 |
The colour of the flowers ranges from deep purple to mauve or pale
pink to white with purple spots or pure white.
Photographed near Stadtkyll,
April 29, 2009 |
 |
The pure white variant is quite rare. We were lucky and found 2 plants
with pure white blossoms.
Photographed near Stadtkyll,
April 29, 2009 |
 |
Latin: Orchis purpurea
English: Lady orchid
German: Purpur-Knabenkraut
Bloom: May to mid-June
Photographed near Bad Munstereifel,
May 15, 2005 |
 |
These orchids grow on sunny, dry hillsides, bush and open woods, only
in calciferous soil.
Three orchis purpurea plants and an orchis mascula.
Photographed near Bad Munstereifel,
May 14, 2006 |
 |
Three orchis purpurea plants showing the variations in the flower colours
and forms.
Photographed near Bad Munstereifel,
May 14, 2006 |
 |
A closeup of a flower head.
Photographed near Bad Munstereifel,
May 1, 2002 |
 |
This photo of a single flower shows where the orchid got its name.
The Latin and German names come from the purple colour of the stem and
3 upper petals that form the "lady's bonnet". The flower looks
like a little lady with 2 arms, a wide skirt often divided in the middle,
and wearing a bonnet, hence the English name Lady Orchid.
Photographed near Bad Munstereifel,
May 14, 2006 |
 |
These flowers have almost no divide in the lower petal.
Photographed near Bad Munstereifel,
May 14, 2006 |
 |
This photo shows the light colour variation: the stem is green and
the 3 upper petals are pinkish rather than purple.
Photographed near Bad Munstereifel,
May 14, 2006 |
 |
A closeup of the light colour variation.
Photographed near Bad Munstereifel,
May 14, 2006 |
 |
Another colour variation.
Photographed near Bad Munstereifel,
May 1, 2002 |
 |
Little ladies with a Blue butterfly.
Photographed near Bad Munstereifel,
May 14, 2006 |
All photographs are my property and may not be copied or used
without my written permission.
