Gymnadenia nigra ssp. rhellicani / Nigritella nigra ssp. rhellicani - Black Vanilla Orchid (Orchidaceae)

This orchid has a strong scent reminiscent of vanilla - picture
Marija Zupanc

This is a plant of the mid-European alpine zone and can be found in short grassland and alpine meadows between 1,000 and roughly 3,000 metres above sea level.

It grows in dry to slightly moist conditions in open sunny positions on calcareous substrates. It flowers from the end of June to the middle of August which is much later than many other orchids that occur in the same regions.

The infloresence of Gymnadenia nigra is conical at first, becoming egg-shaped when all the flowers are open. The plant grows from 5 - 30cm in height and has between 7 and 11 leaves at the base of the stem and several further bract-like leaves growing up the stem to just below the flower.

Although localised in its appearance it can often flower in large numbers in favoured locations.

Its territory in Europe extends from the Alps to the Carpathian mountains.

The specimen on this page whas photographed in Slovenia in July.