Orchis canariensis

The genus Orchis gave a name to the entire family (Orchidaceae). However ,few people atually know how prosaic the Latin word ''orchis''is: our ancestors belived in the aphrodisiacal (aroucing sexual desire ) effects of the tubers of Orchis -for their shape and their delicate roots closely resemble male testicles ! And the word ''orchis''translates nothing else but ''testicles ''

O. canariensis is ahighly rare species endemic to all of the Canary Islands except the driest ones -lanzarote and Fuerteventury . The egg-shaped tubers of the plant give rise to a 6-18 in/15-45 cm -tall stalk bearing 2-3 elongated lanceolate leaves .The inflorescence is relatively short and consists of 5-20 flowers . The tepals are purple and red and usually decorated with a greenish marking in the middle.The lip is whitish with a dark marking along the edges . This species grows in relatively damp locations influenced by trade winds ,i.e., usually on mountain slopes on the Canary Islands .The soil environment consists of a slightly alkaline substrate of volcanic orgin.O. canariensis blooms between February and April .