Orchis tridentata

Most Orchis propogate only vegetatively -by way of seeds .The development of one individual from a germinated seed to maturity is extremely long ,taking up to 13-15 years !

O. tridentata is among the most ecologically sensitive and very slowly growing species . Its species name was derived from the ''trident'' protuberance on the end of its flower helmet . The plant forms ground leaf rosettes (usually as early as the fall) bearing 3-5 bluish green , elongated lanceolate leaves . A stalk bearing blooming flowers is only between 4.8 -10 in /12-25 cm tall . The raceme inflorescence is intensely reduced and in the course of its development it changes its shape: at first ,it is cone shaped ,later short and egg-like .The tepals arranged into a helmet are pikish purple with a somewhat dark venation;the three lobed lip is whitish -to -pinkish and covered all over with deep purple spots .O.tridentata blooms between March and June .It is a Mediterreanean species that can also be found in Caucasia and Iraq.It inhabits sunny grassy meadows with calcic soils .