Himantoglossum hircinum (L.) Spreng., Syst. Veg. 3: 694 (1826).
Homotypic Names:
Satyrium hircinum L., Sp. Pl.: 944 (1753).
Orchis hircina (L.) Crantz, Stirp. Austr. Fasc., ed. 2, 2: 484 (1769).
Loroglossum hircinum (L.) Rich., De Orchid. Eur.: 32 (1817).
Aceras hircinum (L.) Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl.: 282 (1835).
Description:
Is a bulbous geophyte that has two classical ovoid rhizo-tubers fairly develeppoed. At the base the plant is surrounded by numerous fibres. The stem may reach the 90 cm, even if as an average it does not exceed the 70. The leaves are numerous and quite showy, elongated and of a nice pale green colour. The floriferous spike, elegantly extended, may include up to 40 fetid smelling flowers. Viewed from near we can appreciate the globous green helmet, with bright red rays and internal dotting. The two pollinodes are also green and appear massive. The labellum, subdivided in three parts, two of which normal, elongates and is twisted on the central lobe up to six and a half cm, in a dramatic way, like a pinkish and brownish violaceous ribbon, hence, rightly, as aforementioned, the name of “himantoglossum”.
All this is done for fascinating the pollinators, essential to the reproduction, especially if we consider that this species stands among those having no nectar.
Notes:
As a matter of fact, many insects do frequent this attraction masterpiece. The most frequent are hymenopterans of the family Andrenidae, the most active pollinators of the orchids: species like Andrena nigroaenea, Andrena potentillae and Andrena haemorrhoea. But we have also the Apis mellifera, and Colletes similis. The hood is attractive for the coleopterans Oedemera nobilis and Valgus hemipterus, pollinophagous, and also for scarabaeids and cerambycids.
Flowering:
The plant blooms from May to late July.
Habitat:
Inhabitant of dry meadows, arid, and sunny, of sandy and pebbly slopes, loves also stay in the open spaces of the woods. Its choice soil is calcareous, preferably draining.
Distribution:
Europe, NW. Africa, Iraq
References:
J. G. Williams: Orchideen Europas mit Nordafrika und Kleinasien. BLV Verla; Robert L. Dressler: Die Orchideen - Biologie und Systematik der Orchidaceae. (1996)
Images:
Click on each image to see a larger version.

Habitat/In situ	Habitat/In situ	Habitat/In situ
Photograph© Rogier van Vugt. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Rogier van Vugt. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Rogier van Vugt. Image used with kind permission.