Orchis pupurea

The number of species it contains makes the genus Orchis one of the richest in Europe -over 30 of its representatives are known to grow there. About 60 species of Orchis occur in northern Africa ,thr canaries ,the Mediterranean and the adjacent Asian area. The Mediterranean is also the orginal centre of development of European Orchis .

Orchis purpurea is showy and robust .A specimen in bloom has the following appearance ;a ground leaf resette gives rise to 3-6 glossy ,elongated egg-shaped leaves ,and a stalk reaching length of 90 cm and bearing another one or two relatively small clasping leaves on its lower part .The flower raceme is dense and rich. The flowers are equiped witha red and brown helmet and their whitish lip is covered with numorous tufts of red hairs . Two completely identical specimens are virtually impossible to find even in small ,isolated populations .The species inhabits lowlands and hilly areas in warmer regions ;it has a liking for classic soils in forests and meadows .This orchid blooms between April and June ,depending on the location .It is widespread in Europe ,northern Africa and Asia Minor.