Herbario Virtual del Mediterráneo Occidental
Àrea de Botànica, Departament de Biologia, Universitat de les Illes Balears
Himantoglossum robertianum (Loisel) P. Delforge
Family : ORCHIDACEAE
Genus : Himantoglossum
Synonyms : Barlia robertiana (Loisel) Greuter
Catalan common name : Mosques grosses.
Spanish common name : Orquídea gigante.
Province distribution : Alicante. Balearic Islands. Barcelona. Gerona. Tarragona.
Distribution in the islands : Formentera. Ibiza. Mallorca. Minorca.
General distribution : Mediterranean
Flowering time : January. February. March. April.
Life-forms : Geophyte.
Habitat : Pine woods and open habitats.
IUCN Category : Poco preocupante
Characteristics : This is the largest orchid species in our fields (it can reach up to 0.5 m in height), hence it is very easy to recognise just because of its size. The leaves are broad and oval; it develops a robust stem which has a very dense spike of flowers. The flowers are also quite largeg with a large, lobulate labellum, and are yellowish or lilac. It lives along the side of the pine woods and garrigues (Mediterranean woodland), usually along path-sides. It flowers in February and in March.
