Gymnadenia odoratissima -- species description

Gymnadenia odoratissima (Linnaeus) L.C.M. Richard 1818

This plant has unusually large side lobes on the labellum. They are typically smaller, as shown in the other photographs below.

Synonyms: Basionym: Orchis odoratissima L.
Habenaria odoratissima Franch.

Common name(s): Short-spurred Fragrant Orchid

Pronunciation: jim-na-DEEN-ee-ahOH-door-ah-TIS-ih-mah
Plant: terrestrial, 15-45cm, 4-8 linear-lanceolate, keeled leaves. The underground tubers are divided into finger-like lobes.
Flowers: Dark pink to lilac; lip has a spade-like appearance; see illustrations. Inflorescence: Sparsely flowered raceme, lip is 3 lobed but side lobes are short and blunt; flower has a short spur.
Fragrant: Yes.
Bloomtimes: Late spring to summer.
Habitat: Calcareous grasslands and roadcuts.
Distribution: Europe, including Britain and Ireland.
Culture:
Other Notes: G. odoratissima is a smaller plant than G. conopsea, the spike appearing less dense because of a shorter spur and smaller flowers. The labellum lacks the trilobate appearance of G. conopsea because the lateral lobes are smaller than the midlobe. It is found only in mountainous regions, where the lighter color is said to attract night-flying moths.

References:

The Native Orchids of the United States and Canada Excluding Florida; Carlyle A. Luer; The New York Botanical Garden; pg. 208
Native Orchids of N. America North of Mexico; Donovan Stewart Correll; Stanford University Press 1950, 1978; pg. 116
Wild Orchids of Britian & Europe; Paul & Jenne Davies, Anthony Huxley; Hogarth Press 1988; pg. 89, 90

Last Modified: June 13, 2002 by Joseph Dougherty

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