Mücken-Händelwurz / Große Händelwurz (Wildform)

Season Overview

Description

The sweet sprites (Gymnadenia) are a genus of plants in the orchid family (Orchidaceae). The genus comprises around 26 species, including those of the former genus Nigritella (black orchid). The genus name Gymnadenia is derived from the Greek gymnos, meaning naked, and aden, meaning gland (i.e., "naked gland"), referring to the often exposed viscidium in the flowers. The genus Gymnadenia is Palearctic, Some species are endemic and a few species are widespread. It comprises about 26 species, including the species of the former genus Nigritella (black orchid). There are also a large number of hybrids. Some species are endemic and a few species are widespread. It comprises about 26 species, including the species of the former genus Nigritella. There are also a large number of hybrids. Growth Gymnadenia species grow terrestrially as perennial herbaceous plants of medium height. The relatively thick, fleshy tubers are palmate with several slender, somewhat fleshy roots. The independently erect stem is slender to sturdy, round, fleshy, and glabrous. The leaves are arranged alternately on the stem. The simple leaf blades are linear-band-shaped to elliptical, and the longitudinally folded base of the blade envelops the stem. Leaf sheaths are often present at the base of the stem. Many flowers are densely clustered in terminal, head-shaped to elongated, racemose inflorescences. There are few lanceolate, sterile bracts. The fertile bracts are shorter to slightly longer than the ovary. The sessile, inferior ovary is usually slightly twisted, making the flowers resupinate (not twisted in the species of the former genus Nigritella). The glabrous ovary is narrow-cylindrical or spindle-shaped. The relatively small to medium-sized, hermaphroditic flowers are zygomorphic and trifoliate. The cylindrical spur is often slightly curved and shorter to longer than the ovary, with a blunt or bilobed tip. The tepals are pink to dark purple or, rarely, white. The middle, concave sepal and the lateral, straight petals often bend together in a helmet shape, with the two petals being slightly shorter than the sepal. The two free lateral sepals are usually spread out and bent back. The lip (labellum) is broad-rhombic to obovoid and simple to distinctly three-lobed. The column is short. The erect anthers are elongated or ovate and have two thecae. There are two club-shaped pollinia. The relatively small to elongated rostellum (adhesive gland) is indistinctly three-lobed. The two relatively small staminodia are almost spherical and located laterally at the base of the fertile anther. The two very large stigmas are located laterally at the base on each side of the column. The capsule fruits are upright. Ecology Gymnadenia species are tuberous geophytes. They have endotrophic orchid-type mycorrhiza. Attractants and pollinators In two species (mosquito orchid and fragrant orchid), 45 and 44 volatile aromatic substances, respectively, were identified by gas chromatography that attracted butterflies, of which 37 and 25 species, respectively, could be identified. In the mosquito orchid, benzyl acetate, eugenol, and benzoic acid benzyl ester were identified as attractants, while in the fragrant orchid, benzyl acetate, benzaldehyde, phenylethanal, 1-phenyl-2,3-butanedione, phenylethyl acetate, eugenol, and an unidentified component were identified as attractants.

Growing tips

Location Light: Sunny to semi-shady, no extreme midday heat. Soil: Fresh to moderately moist, humusy, rich in lime, well-drained. Suitable for: Natural gardens, wet meadows, dry meadows, extensively maintained flower meadows. Planting Time: Spring or fall. Tubers: Plant flat, soil not too rich in nutrients. Spacing: 20-30 cm, as they can form clumps. Care Watering: Keep the soil evenly fresh to slightly moist. Avoid waterlogging Fertilization: No fertilization - they prefer lean soils. Winter hardiness: Fully hardy down to -20 °C. Propagation: By seed (slow, requires mycorrhizal fungi). Vegetatively by tuber formation. Special features Flowering time: June to August, depending on species. Flower colors: Pink to purple, fragrant, attract many insects. Height: 30-70 cm. Species diversity: Several species in Europe, e.g. Gymnadenia conopsea (mosquito orchid), Gymnadenia odoratissima (fragrant orchid). Ecological importance: Important wild orchids, pollinator-friendly.

Details

Light requirement

Sunny

Water requirement

Dry

Soil

Medium (loamy)

Nutrient requirement

Low

Light germinator

Plant distance

25 cm

Row spacing

35 cm

Seeding depth

4 cm