Orchis militaris

The species name of Orchis militaris refers to the appearance of the tepals ,pinkish -to -white and gray on the outside ,namely to the noticeable helmet-like shape that they form together .Specimens of the species are very robust -up to 28 in /70 cm tall when in bloom .Their egg-shaped ,pale green leaves are crowded in the lower part of the stalk . A medium -sparse or dense inflorescence bears up to 40 flowers featuring -besides theh helmet -dark-dotted lips resembling in shape the lips of Orchis simia.

O.miltiaris is among the most ecological adaptive terrestrical orchids ,which is why it was very plentiful in the past .It is also often transplanted in to gardens .Today ,it has become an endangered species ,especially in continental Europe ,due to a massive reduction of the area of its natural habitat .O.militaries is famous for its easy hybridization with other orchis species .The plants inhabits infertile meadows or light forests with calcic ,drier soils .It blooms between April and June ,depending on the location. As to the area of natural habitat,it is one of the most widespread European orchids -it inhabits practically the whole of Europe (including northern Italy in the south and Sweden in the north ,England in the west and Lake Baikal ,Russia,Greece and Turkey in the east ).