Family |
Orchidaceae
Orchis anatolica
Boiss.
Orchis anatolica Boiss.
First published in Diagn. Pl. Orient. 5: 56 (1844).
(Nouvelle Flore du Liban et de la Syrie, vol. 1, p. 342, Pl. CXII, 3; 1966)
Description
Life-form & habit: Perennial orchid with ovoid, almost stalkless tubers and an upright cylindrical stem 15–40 cm tall, sheathed by the leaves in its lower half.
Leaves: Two to five lanceolate basal leaves, spreading to erect in a rosette and marked with brown spots; one or two stem leaves have reduced blades.
Inflorescence & flowers: Loose spike of 2–12 or more fairly large pink flowers. Membranous, linear-lanceolate bracts exceed the ovary. Lip 10–13 × 10–14 mm, three-lobed towards the tip, with a paler centre marked by purple dots; the middle lobe is longer, nearly square and truncate or notched. Slender cylindrical spur about 2 cm long, horizontal or slightly curved.
Flowering and habitat
Phenology: March–April.
Habitat & elevation: More or less wooded places.
Distribution
Lebanese distribution: Beirut, Nahr Beirut, Nahr el Kelb, Abey, below Beit Mery, Ghazir, Bikfaya, Souq el Gharb, Aley, Broummana, Jezzine, the Machghara pass, Ehden and its forest, Hasroun, Hadeth, near Qoubbayat, between Taanayel and Zahle, Deir el Achair and Rachaya; also recorded at Kfertay and Kornet Chehwan.
Syrian distribution: Safita, Bhamra, Cheikh Hisamo near Haffe, Slenfe, Kessab, Ain Haramiye, Wadi el Qarn, Mayssaloun, Eriha and Kurd Dagh.
Native range: Cyprus, East Aegean Is., Greece, Iran, Iraq, Kriti, Lebanon-Syria, Palestine, Türkiye.