The Early Purple Orchid
The Early Purple Orchid
The Early Purple Orchid is an orchid plant commonly found in Great Britain and also in Mediterranean Europe and some parts of Africa. These species of orchids grow in a soil medium compared to the usual air or tree medium that most tropical orchids prefer. This specie likes calcareous or neutral soils and they can also thrive in broadleaved woodland. The Early Purple Orchid can also flourish in limestone, calcareous grasslands, and vicinity of coastal cliffs and even in roadsides.
It gained its name because this plant is among the first plants to bloom in the United Kingdom after the winter season. It is highly similar to the other orchid species, the green winged orchid, except for the difference in their basal and stalk leaves.
Description of the Early Purple Orchid
The Early Purple Orchid usually has a basal cluster of around five (usual) to eight (unusual) blunt tipped leaves. The leaves are oblong in shape and are somewhat shiny and smooth in texture. The plant has a stalk from which a couple or more stem leaves may protrude. The leaves have some very visible spotting which can vary according to the sub specie of the orchid. Some Early Purple Orchid plants may not have the distinctive spotting on its basal leaves.
The flowers of the Early Purple Orchid bloom in a spike which stands at a maximum of 60 centimeters tall. They can be found in clusters of 20 to 50 flowers in one spike. They are usually purple in color but can also range from very light purple to almost pink or white blooms. The flowers are similar to most orchids' species which have several sepals and a lip along with the true petals of the flower. The center of the flowers' lip is usually paler in coloration compared to the entire flower.
The Early Purple Orchid smells sweet when it initially blooms but gradually turns to a smell that is slightly akin to urine after it has been pollinated. There are several bees that pollinate this purple orchid. Some people claim that the root of the Early Purple Orchid has some medicinal value. The roots are ground to produce a powder called salep which is either drank or added to other foods to make them more nutritious.
This unique orchid is well known allover Europe for its sweet smell and beautiful flowers. The Early Purple Orchid may be quite common in Europe but it is highly unusual in other parts of the world.