Orchis simiaLam. - Monkey orchid
Scientific Description:
Similar to Orchis stevenii Rchb.f. and Orchis militaris L., but smaller and more slender. Spike ovoid to conical, terminal flowers opening first. Sepals longer acuminate, hood ash-grey outside with rose dots or veins. Labellum c. 15–20 mm, centre whitishrose with minute purplish papillae, deeply segmented near base into linear lateral lobes, middle lobe ligulate, divided into 2 diverging linear lobules, with prominent tooth in between; all lobules darker purple towards apex, ± curled upwards. Spur cylindrical, c. half as long as ovary.
Flowering time: April–May.
Habitat: Grassy hillsides, scrub, on calcareous soils, s.l. –1200 m.
Reference:
Renz J & Taubenheim G (1984). Orchis simia Lam., In: Davis PH (ed.), Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands, Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 8: 522.
Public Description:
Orchis simia, commonly known as “monkey orchid”, is native to central and southern Europe, including southern England, the Mediterranean, Russia, Türkiye, Caucasus, northern Iraq, Iran to Turkmenistan and northern Africa. It gets its common name from its lobed lip which mimics the general shape of a monkey's body with greyish pink to reddish flowers. It has very nutritious tuber which is a source of “salep”. Monkey orchid is found poor grasslands, garrigue, maquis, scrubland, woodland edges and open woodland. It prefers dry to slightly moister conditions, neutral to calcareous soils. It grows in full sunlight to mid-shade and flowers from March to June.
References:
Anonymous 1 (2017). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orchis_simia, Accessed date: 10.05.2017.
Anonymous 2 (2017). http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/175980/1, Accessed date: 10.05.2017.
Güler N (2012). Orchis L., In: Güner, A., Aslan, S., Ekim, T., Vural, M. & Babaç, M.T. (eds.), Türkiye Bitkileri Listesi (Damarlı Bitkiler). Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanik Bahçesi ve Flora Araştırmaları Derneği Yayını. İstanbul, pp. 645–650.