Neottia nidus -avis

An ecologically highly adaptive and relatively plentiful non-green orchid. Its almost leafless stems bear only the slightest traces of chlorophyll ,and the plants are thus dependent mainly on the fungal hyphas present in their underground parts for nutrition . Neottia nidus-avis is able to ''employ '' a really high number of fungi ,because its underground organs assume a really vast surface area : a short trailing and slowly extending rhizome spends several years producing a massive nest-shaped cluster of succulent roots . Both scientific names of the species refer to the appearance of this cluster -the generic names of the species refer to the appearance of this cluster -the generic name and the species name. The seedling of the species spend the first 5-8 years hidden underground storing nutrients ,and only then can the flower- bearing stalk appear above the ground.After the flowers fade and the seeds mature , the rhizome dies ,but the tip of roots give rise to new individuals and the whole cycle can begin again. The plants stalk is 8-16 in /20-40 cm tall and only sparsely covered with reduced leaves . The exteded cylindrical inflorescence is dense and up to 5.2 in/13 cm long . The flowers are yellowish brown ,pale yellow or ,rarely pure white . The species is also able to blossom underground !Neottia nidus -avis inhabits shady deciduous forests and blooms usually between May and June .It is plentiful in Europe ,Northern Africa and Asia Minor ,its habitat extending in to Middle Siberia and Caucasia .