Orchis coriophora L.

Family: ORCHIDACEAE

Genus: Orchis

Sinònims: Orchis fragans Pollini Orchis coriophora L. subsp. fragans (Pollini) K. Richt.

Catalan common name: Abellera olorosa.

Province distribution: Balearic Islands. Barcelona. Girona. Lleida. Tarragona. València.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca. Ibiza. Formentera.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Mediterranean

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Geophyte.

Habitat: Garriques.

Characteristics: This orchid is characterised by its compact spike of dark red or purple flowers. The flowers have a spur facing downwards which is as long as the labellum. The leaves are narrowly lanceolate, they come out of both the base and the stem. Orchis conica also forms a compact spike but the flowers are whitish and purple stained. It lives in moist soils, ofteny in flooded places, but also in inland zones. It flowers at the beginning of spring.