Gymnadenia frivaldii - (Orchidaceae)

Gymnadenia frivaldii

A group of Gymnadenia frivaldii in the Pirin Mountains of Bulgaria

Although this small orchid can appear in large numbers in suitable places it is still remarkably hard to spot. Gymnadenia frivaldii grows up to 30 cm in height and has white to pinkish flowers borne in a flower spike that is initially conical and then becoming more cylindrical as the flowers open - see below. It grows in very wet marshy flushes quite high up in the mountains (between 1000 and 2300m above sea level) but also likes to be in the full sun.

Gymnadenia frivaldii - close-up picture

A fully open flower spike of Gymnadenia frivaldii

Gymnadenia frivaldii is a Balkan endemic that occurs in Bulgaria with a territory extended as far as Northern Greece and the southern Carpathians. Although thought to be related to Pseudorchis albida (also known as Gymnadenia albida), molecular analysis has indicated a closer link to Gymnadenia conopsea, the fragrant orchid, which also occurs in large numbers in the Balkans.

The specimen above was photographed in the Pirin Mountains of Bulgaria in mid June.