Bocks-Riemenzunge (Wildform)

Season Overview

Description

The genus of lizard tongues (Himantoglossum) in the orchid family (Orchidaceae) contains only a few species. They are mainly native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean region, with only the Bocks lizard tongue also occurring in warmer areas of Central Europe. Lizard tongues are widespread throughout the Mediterranean region. In Western Europe, their range extends north to England, and in the southwest, they are found as far as North Africa. To the east, they are found in Turkey and Iran. They are always found on dry, calcareous soils in sunny to semi-shaded locations. In addition to grasslands, abandoned fields, and various Mediterranean shrub communities, they also colonize sparse forests. Growth These are vigorous, perennial herbaceous plants with two elongated oval tubers as survival organs. The leaf rosette sprouts in autumn and is largely complete by winter. The leaves are elongated to strap-shaped. The leaves begin to wilt or are already wilted during the flowering period. Depending on the location, the flowering period extends from April to August. The terminal, racemose inflorescence is covered with numerous flowers. The bracts are long and tower above the ovary. This is twisted so that the flowers are resupinate. The petals are greenish to purple. The three outer petals and the lateral petals adhere to each other and form a hood. The three-lobed lip is strongly elongated, especially the middle lobe. This is linear in shape and twisted to the left; it often ends in a deep incision. The side lobes are shorter and have a wavy edge. The base of the lip forms a spur. The column is short, and the stamen contains two pollinia, which hang via pedicels (caudiculae) on a common adhesive disc (visidium) surrounded by a hemispherical membrane (bursicula). The stigma is round to rounded-square. The separating tissue between the stigma and stamen (rostellum) is clearly developed. The flowers are pollinated by various bees from the genera Andrena, Apis, and Colletes. The spur contains small amounts of sugary nectar.

Growing tips

Location Light: Sunny to semi-shady, prefers warm, dry places. Soil: Lime-rich, well-drained, rather dry to moderately fresh. Suitable for: Nutrient-poor grassland, dry meadows, rock gardens, semi-natural areas. Planting Time: Spring or fall. Tubers: Plant flat, soil not too rich in nutrients. Spacing: 30-40 cm, as the plants can grow very large. Care Watering: Only water lightly during longer dry periods. Avoid waterlogging at all costs. Fertilization: No fertilization - they prefer lean soils. Hardiness: Fully hardy down to -20 °C. Propagation: By seed (slow, requires mycorrhizal fungi). Vegetatively by tuber formation. Special features Flowering time: June to July. Flowers: Very showy, with long, ribbon-like lips ("strap tongues"), often twisted or coiled. Height: 50-100 cm, sometimes up to 120 cm. Species diversity: In Europe, e.g. Himantoglossum hircinum (buck's strap), H. robertianum (giant strap). Scent: Some species exude an intense, sometimes goat-like scent.

Details

Light requirement

Sunny

Water requirement

Dry

Soil

Medium (loamy)

Nutrient requirement

Low

Light germinator

Plant distance

20 cm

Row spacing

30 cm

Seeding depth

3 cm