Epipogium aphyllum

A somewhat mysterious orchid ,both in apperance and life style . Its tissues lack chlorophyll and the plant is thus fully dependent on nutrition provided by fungal fibers (a process known as obligate mycotrophy).The plants survive in the soil by means of a rootless ,intensely branched coral like rhizome . The branching of the rhizome is the way the plant reproduces the vegetatively ;its natural habitat oftern reveals the picture of seemingly independent specimens ,which are infact connected together underground .The sparse inflorescence bears 2-4 pale yellow to reddish flowers that possess a scent similar to bananas .The position of the flowers in the inflorescence is exceptional with in the group of all European orchids -in their development ,they do not undergo a process known as resupination and as a result the lip is atypically pinted upward . The rhythm of life and sexual propogation of Epipogium orchids are still wrapped in mystry ;sometimes the plants don't bloom for years and give no sign of existence .Moreover ,they oftern bloom underground ! The species inhabits shady deciduous forests and its geographical area is extremely large-including Europe ,Asia minor ,the Himalayas ,Korea ,Kamchatka and Japan .