Orchids - Strap-leaved orchids

Plant family

Orchid family (Orchidaceae)

Cultivation Break

Season Overview

Details

Light requirement

Sunny

Water requirement

Dry

Soil

Light (sandy)

Nutrient requirement

Low

Light germinator

Plant distance

35 cm

Row spacing

35 cm

Seeding depth

3 cm

Instructions

Description

The genus 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 buck's tongue also occurring in warmer areas of central Europe. The strap-tongues are widespread throughout the Mediterranean region. In Western Europe, their range extends north to England, while in the southwest the distribution extends to North Africa. Towards the east, Iran is reached via Turkey. The habitats are always on dry, calcareous soils in sunny to semi-shady locations. In addition to grassland, abandoned fields and various Mediterranean shrub communities, sparse forests are also colonized. Growth They are vigorous, perennial herbaceous plants with two elongated oval tubers as survival organs. The leaf rosette emerges in the fall and is largely complete by winter. The leaves are elongated to strap-shaped. The leaves begin to wither or have already withered during the flowering period. The flowering period extends from April to August, depending on the location. The terminal, racemose inflorescence is covered with numerous flowers. The bracts are long and protrude 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 very elongated, especially the middle lobe. This is linear in shape and twisted to the left; it often ends in a deep incision. The lateral lobes are shorter and have a wavy edge. The base of the labellum forms a spur. The column is short, the stamen contains two pollinia, which are attached to a common adhesive disk (viscidium) via stalks (caudiculae), which is surrounded by a hemispherical membrane (bursicula). The stigma is roundish to rounded-square. The separating tissue between 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, strap-shaped 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.