home

Himantoglossum robertianum - Giant Orchid

Phylum: Magnoliophyta - Class: Liliopsida - Order: Orchidales - Family: Orchidaceae

Giant Orchid plant

This unmistakeable orchid grows to over a metre in height. Although widespread throughout the Mediterranean region it is localised and rare except in Rhodes, where it can occur in particularly large colonies. In recent years, plants have started to appear in France and it may be that the higher temperatures resulting from global warming enable the Giant Orchid to extend its territory. We have seen this orchid on roadside verges in the Cevennes at high altitudes.

Giant Orchid flower

Description

Everything about this orchid is big, from the robust stem, the large leaves that clasp the stem, and the massive flowers that are arranged in a dense spike. The strongly fragrant flowers are very variable in colour, from white-and-green combinations to dark pink and purple with strong lip markings. The lip is divided into three lobes, with the central lobe being subdivided again.

Distribution

Predominantly a Mediterranean species this orchid is showing signs of extending its territory north as climate change and warmer temperatures have an impact on our wildlife.

Giant Orchid plants

Picture by kind permission of Anne Horsfall

Habitat

Usually growing in open ground with alkaline substrate, the Giant Orchid can also appear in open woodland and old olive groves; it likes plenty of sunshine.

Flowering times

This orchid flowers very early in the year - from the end of February to the beginning of April. The specimens shown here were found in Crete. Other countries were the Giant Orchid occurs include Cyprus, Spain, Portugal and Italy, to name but a few.

Etymology

The genus name Himantoglossum means 'strap tongue' and refers to the strap-like labellum (lip) of the flower. The specific epithet robertianum probably honours the late 18th century/early 19th century French botanist G N Robert.

Reference sources

The Plant List

Pierre Delforge (2005) Orchids of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East; A&C Black


Sue Parker's latest ebook is a revised and enlarged edition of Wild Orchids in The Burren. Full details here...

Buy it for just £5.95 on Amazon...

Sue Parker's new ebook is a comprehensive and fully revised edition of her acclaimed field guide to the Wild Orchids of Wales. Full details here...

Buy it for just £5.95 on Amazon...

Wild Orchids of the Algarve, how, when and where to find them

Sue Parker's 5-star acclaimed field guide to the Wild Orchids of the Algarve is now available as an ebook. Full details here...

Buy it for just £5.95 on Amazon...


Please Help Us: If you have found this information interesting and useful, please consider helping to keep First Nature online by making a small donation towards the web hosting and internet costs.

Any donations over and above the essential running costs will help support the conservation work of Plantlife, the Rivers Trust and charitable botanic gardens - as do author royalties and publisher proceeds from books by Pat and Sue.

© 1995 - 2024 First Nature: a not-for-profit volunteer-run resource

Please help to keep this free resource online...

Terms of use - Privacy policy - Disable cookies - Links policy