Résultats de recherche

Ophrys massiliensis. Ophrys de Marseille. Early spider orchid. Almost nothing will differentiate it from the Ophrys aranifera/sphegodes (Spider Orchid) from a morphological point of view. Its labellum a little smaller perhaps? Carrying a caliper or being able to compare the 2 species in the same place is not the most convenient, even impossible since its singularity lies in its precocity because it flowers in the south of France from January most often but sometimes from the end of December. It is therefore officially only a subspecies or early regional variety, very similar to the Ophrys sphegodes (Spider Orchid). Click on the photos to enlarge

Gymnadenia corneliana. Nigritelle rose/de Cornelia. Nigritella are high altitude orchids only. They can be found in the Massif Central or the Jura for the lowest altitudes but abundantly in the Alps and also in the Pyrenees. Differentiating the species will be a complicated task because even within a station we will find plants with more or less conical or round spikes, more or less elongated. The coloring is generally purple as for many high altitude plants. All species have a more or less pronounced smell of vanilla. It will therefore be necessary to rely on specialized works to find distinctive signs in the shape of the labella and bracts. This species is found only in the Alps. It displays a pink coloration at the bottom of the inflorescence and bracts longer than the latter. Click on the photos to enlarge

Cephalanthera rubra. Cephalanthère rouge. Red helleborine. Cephalantheres are generally light undergrowth orchids. The flowers open little except for the Rubra species presented here. It is described as red but is clearly closer to pink. Click on the photos to enlarge

Epipactis distans. Epipactis à feuilles écartées . . The flower is typical of Epipactis in its shape with petals and sepals of the same whitish/greenish colour. The hypochile is dark brown in colour. Like all Epipactis, it flowers in June/July in semi-shade. It can also be found on the side of the road in open terrain but at altitude. In Epipactis, the labellum is divided into two parts: the hypochile, concave, contains more or less nectar, which gives it a shiny appearance, and the epichile, often pointed, sometimes folded, with a complex appearance, rarely smooth and covered with bumps, hollows or furrows that allow insects to cling while they draw nectar. Petals and sepals are generally of the same color, more or less greenish. The pollinia, once stuck on the head of the insect, slowly disintegrate, which allows several flowers to be fertilized. Click on the photos to enlarge

5I8A5247 Décrivez votre image. Non-commercial site: you will never be asked for your personal details or to make any payment on this site. Photos of wild orchids Discover Orchids from France and Europe by Pascal Decologne. Orchidee-photo.com France : Aveyron, Aude, Lozère, Côte d'Or, Jura, Savoie, Essonne, Seine & Marne, Yvelines. Sardinia (Italy) Gargano (Italy) Quick Access: Basics of Orchids Get free high definition files on demand: Order form . Orchids of France These orchids are present in France and of course for the vast majority in other European countries. There are no species of orchids endemic to France, but there are sometimes regional varieties that can be elevated to the rank of subspecies ( Ophrys aymoninii for example). Clic on pictures below to see more. Cypripedium calceolus. S abot de Venus. Lady's slipper. Updated 09/2023 . Spiranthes spiralis. Spiranthe d'automne. Autum n lady's tresses. Updated 09/2023 . Anacamptis longicornu. Orchis à long éperon. Long spurred orchid. Updated 09/2023. Anacamptis pyramidalis. Orchis pyramidal. Pyramidal orchid. Updated 09/2023. Orchis simia. Orchis singe. Mon key orchid. Updated 09/2023. Orchis anthropophora. Orchis homme pendu. Ma n orchid. Updated 09/2023. Traunsteinera globosa. Orchis globuleux. Globe orchid. Updated 09/2023. Gymnadenia rhellicani. Orchis vanille. Updated 09/2023 Platanthera bifolia. Platanthère à deux feuilles. Lesser butterfly orchid. Updated 09/2023. Neottia ovata. Listère ovale. Common twayblade. Updated 10/2023. Epipactis helleborine. Epipactis à larges feuilles . Broad leaved helleborine. Updated 10/2023. Epipactis microphylla. Epipactis à petites feuilles. Small leaved helleborine. Updated 10/2023. Neotinea lactea. Orchis lacté . Milky orchid . Updated 10/2023. Neotinea ustulata. Orchis brûlé. Burnt orchid. Updated 10/2023. Dactylorhiza maculata. Orchis maculé/tacheté. Heath spotted orchid. Updated 10/2023. Dactylorhiza sambucina. Orchis sureau. Elder flowered orchid. Updated 10/2023. Cephalanthera damasonium. Cephalanthère blanche. Large white helleborine. Updated 10/2023. Ophrys scolopax. Ophrys bécasse. Woodcock orchid. Updated 12/2023 Ophrys sphegodes/aranifera. Ophrys araignée. Early spider orchid . Updated 01/2024. Ophrys massiliensis. Ophrys de Marseille. Early spider orchid . Updated 12/2023 Ophrys lutea. Ophrys jaune. Yellow bee orchid. Updated 01/2024. Pseudophrys non déterminés Ophrys speculum. Ophrys miroir. Mirror orchid. Updated 12/2023 Serapias lingua. Serapias en langue. Tongue orchid. Updated 09/2023. Goodyera repens. Goody ère rampante. Creeping lady's tresses. Updated 09/2023. Anacamptis laxiflora. Orc his à fleurs lâches. Loose-flowered orchid. Updated 12/2024. Orchis purpurea. Orchis pourpre. Purple orchid. Updated 09/2023. Orchis mascula. Orchis mâle. Ma le orchid. Updated 09/2023. Himantoglossum hircinum. Orc his bouc. Lizard orchid. Updated 09/2023. Gymnadenia conopsea. Orchis moucheron. Fragrant orchid. Updated 09/2023 Gymnadenia corneliana. Nigritelle rose/de Cornelia. Updated 09/2023 Pseudorchis albida. Orchis miel. Small white orchid. Updated 10/2023. Neottia nidus-avis. Neottie nid d'oiseau. Bird's nest orchid. Updated 10/2023 Epipactis muelleri. Epipactis de Müller. Mueller's helleborine. Updated 10/2023. Epipactis palustris. Epipactis des marais. Marsh helleborine. Updated 10/2023. Neotinea tridentata. Orchis tridenté . . Updated 10/2023. Limodorum abortivum. Limodore à feuilles avortées. Violet limodore. Updated 10/2023. Dactylorhiza elata. Orchis élevé. Robust marsh orchid. Updated 10/2023. Cephalanthera rubra. Cephalanthère rouge. Red helleborine. Updated 10/2023. Ophrys apifera. Ophrys abeille. Bee orchid. Updated 12/2023. Ophrys tenthredinifera. Ophrys guêpe. Sawfly orchid . Updated 02/2024. Ophrys incubacea. Ophrys noir. . Updated 01/2024. Ophrys araneola. Ophrys petite araignée. Early spider orchid. Updated 08/2024. Ophrys lupercalis. Ophrys des lupercales. Dark bee orchid. Ophrys insectifera. Ophrys mouche. Fly orchid. Updated 12/2023. Ophrys bombyliflora. Ophrys bombyx. Bumble bee orchid. Updated 12/2023 Serapias parviflora. S erapias à pe tites fleurs. Small flower tongue orchid. Updated 09/2023. Anacamptis morio. Orch is bouffon. Green winged orchid. Updated 09/2023. Anacamptis papilionacea. Orc his papillon. Pink butterfly orchid. Updated 09/2023. Orchis militaris. Orchis militaire. Militar y orchid. Updated 09/2023. Orchis provincialis. Orchis de Provence. Pro vence orchid. Updated 09/2023. Himantoglossum robertianum. Barlie d e Robert. Giant orchid. Updated 09/2023 . Gymnadenia odoratissima. Orchis très odorant. Short spurred fragrant orchid. Updated 09/2023 Platanthera chlorantha. Platanthère verte. Greater butterfly orchid. Updated 09/2023. Coeloglossum viride. (D viridis) Orchis grenouille. Frog orchid. Updated 08/2024. Epipactis atrorubens. Epipactis pourpre. Dark red helleborine. Updated 10/2023. Epipactis distans. Epipactis à feuilles distantes. . Updated 10/2023. Epipactis purpurata. Epipactis pourpre . Violet helleborine. Updated 10/2023. Neotinea maculata. Orchis intact. Dense flowered orchid. Updated 10/2023. Dactylorhiza fuchsii. Orchis de Fuchs. Common spotted orchid. Updated 10/2023. Dactylorhiza incarnata. Orchis incarnat. Early marsh orchid. Updated 10/2023. Cephalanthera longifolia. Cephalanthère à longues feuilles. Sword leaved helleborine. Updated 10/2023. Ophrys fuciflora. Ophrys frelon. Late spider orchid. Updated 12/2023 Ophrys aveyronensis. Ophrys de l'Aveyron. Updated 02/2024. Ophrys passionis/caloptera. Ophrys de la passion. Ophrys arachnitiformis. Ophrys en forme d'araignée. False spider orchid. Updated 08/2024. Ophrys fusca. Ophrys brun. Dark bee orchid. Updated 03/2024. Ophrys aymoninii. Ophrys d'Aymonin. Fly orchid. Updated 12/2023. Orchids of Sardinia Presentation of some endemic species of Sardinia (or mainly present on the island and rarely elsewhere). Click on pictures to access the gallery Ophrys annae. Ophrys d'Anne. Ophrys fuciflora subsp. annae . Updated 09/2024 Ophrys exaltata morisii. Ophrys de Moris. Ophrys x arachnitiformis . Updated 09/2024 Ophrys chestermanii. Ophrys de Chesterman. Ophrys fuciflora subsp. chestermanii . Updated 09/2024 Ophrys fusca iricolor subsp. eleonorae. Ophrys d'Eleonore . Updated 09/2024 Ophrys normanii. Ophrys de Norman. Ophrys tenthredinifera subsp. normanii . Updated 09/2024 Orchis ichnusae. Ophrys de Sardaigne. Ophrys mascula subsp. ichnusae . Updated 09/2024 Orchids from Monte Gargano (Pouilles, It) Presentation of some typical species of Monte Gargano. (and not common with the French species presented above). Located in southern Italy, in the Puglia region, at the height of Naples, Monte Gargano is a small massif with mainly limestone soil that juts out into the Adriatic Sea. The lower part to the west attached to the Italian boot is a cultivated plain and the massif to the east is a land of olive trees and semi-dense forest. Its highest point is at 1050 meters (Monte Calvo - Bald Mountain), which installs a relative layering of vegetation from sea level to the summit plateaus and thus allows to observe a great diversity of orchids. The deciduous forest shelters only a few orchids, it will therefore be necessary to look for them on the edges or on the limestone plateaus often particularly bare. The little plant substrate on certain karst limestone slabs does not prevent the development of species of which some abound ( Anacamptis morio and papilionacea in particular). Over a full year, between 70 and 80 species and subspecies of orchids can be observed. Click on the photos to access the orchid species galleries. Orchis quadripunctata. Orchis à 4 points. Four spotted orchid. Updated 09/2024 Dactylorhiza romana. Orchis de Rome. Roman orchid. Updated 09/2024 Ophrys apulica. Ophrys des Pouilles. Ophrys fuciflora subsp. apulica. Updated 09/2024 Orchis italica. Orchis d'Italie. Naked man orchid. Updated 09/2024 Ophrys bertolonii-bertoloniiformis. Ophrys de Bertoloni. Bertoloni's bee orchid. Updated 09/2024 Ophrys parvimaculata. Ophrys à petite macule. Ophrys fuciflora subsp. parvimaculata. Updated 09/2024 Orchis pauciflora. Orchis pauciflore. Sparse flowered orchid. Updated 09/2024 Ophrys biscutella. Ophrys à 2 losanges. . Updated 09/2024 Ophrys parvimaculata. Ophrys à petite macule. Ophrys fuciflora subsp. parvimaculata. Updated 09/2024 Ophrys apulica. Ophrys des Pouilles. Ophrys fuciflora subsp. apulica. Updated 09/2024 Free orchid illustration photos : The photographs presented are not downloadable but as they are not for sale either, I can provide files on request and free of charge. Tell me the desired views, the required definition and the use you wish to make of them beforehand. Indicate the desired reference in the contact form. Ex: OP/AP 01 (Ophrys apifera 01) which appears in the photo caption.

BIOGRAPHY Presentation Amateur photographer since adolescence and passionate about natural sciences even if I did not make it my job, I discovered wild orchids about ten years ago by chance. I am lucky to live in the south of Essonne and not far from the forest of Fontainebleau. Between Etampes and Fontainebleau, the wastelands and limestone lawns, which are very frequent, are home to many orchids: Orchis, Ophrys, Epipactis...but you quickly feel cramped and the passion sometimes becomes an endless quest for new species, 'Hybrids, from Lusus. So I quickly extended my surveys to my native region: the Côte d'Or and the neighboring Jura. Then the Alps and La Vanoise to take advantage of the staggered flowering of certain species at altitude. At the beginning of spring, Aude and Aveyron... How and... why stop? Not being monomaniacal for all that, I also photograph other flowers, the insects that visit them. Good visit to all and do not hesitate to comment! Contact me Email: pascal.decologne@laposte.net Send Thank you for what you sent !

Anacamptis papilionacea. Orchis papillon. Pink butterfly orchid. The Butterfly Orchid is a large orchid that generally lives in colonies around the Mediterranean. Confusion with other species is almost impossible. The leaves are short, sheathing and not spotted. Petals and sepals are finely veined. The serrated labellum is more or less curved. It can be narrow and plain to very wide and finely striated: we are then on the spectacular "Grandiflora" variety. Its color is generally lighter than the other floral parts. Click on the photos to enlarge

Ophrys arachnitiformis. Ophrys en forme d'araignée. False spider orchid. Ophrys arachnitiformis is one of the species that is not always easy to identify, especially since the authors of guides (as well as many pseudo-specialists) do not always have the same definition, consider that the geographical distribution differs, or do not present similar illustrations. It must be considered as a subspecies of Ophrys sphegodes from the Mediterranean rim with a rather early flowering. The sepals and petals are white to pink with a medium-sized labellum. As sometimes, everything is a matter of conviction but not always of convincing scientific elements, we must therefore remain cautious and for my part, I deliver this description and these views with all reserve in the hope of a finally settled debate and a precise diagnosis for the future. Click on the photos to enlarge

Approach Space dedicated to enthusiasts of wild orchids in France: The texts and photos on this site do not claim to be scientific or artistic but aim to help better understand the nature around us, which we often know little about. All photos are taken by the author of these lines, and engravings are borrowed from old, public domain works. The photos can be viewed, and I can provide free files upon request if you indicate their intended use. The first tabs showcase orchids found in France, but they are not endemic and can also be found in other European countries. Some of the illustrative photos come from other countries (Italy, Switzerland, etc.). A final tab presents orchids encountered only outside of France. If you have arrived at this space, you are probably aware that our countryside (and sometimes our cities) host wild orchids. Often so discreet that one can pass by them without noticing, the discovery of a single individual can leave us puzzled when trying to identify the species. It is better to find a colony (a group of several individuals) to confirm an identification. In France, many orchid species grow to 10 to 15 cm in height, with flowers smaller than a centimeter, making them easy to overlook. We simply admire them, sometimes photograph them, but never pick them, as most are rare and fragile. Flowers in vases or herbariums are outdated! And if they happen to appear in our gardens, it will be on their initiative. There's no point in attempting transplantation; it will fail in nearly all cases. For an orchid to grow and thrive, it requires a specific combination of terrain, light, and humidity. Above all, the familiar pollinating insects of the species must be present. These conditions are rare... and almost never where we would like them to be. To know them, to name them, is also to love them. I hope to share my passion with you or exchange with you because your passion is just as valuable as mine! A contact form is available. The views are introduced with a short text about the species, its biotope, and a few distinguishing features for identification. This is not intended to replace more detailed guides, but in these books, the iconographic base is often limited to one or two images, which only partially match your observations. The great variability of orchids cannot be summarized with so few photos, and I have often found myself frustrated with this "scarcity." The goal here is to illustrate each species with a broad photographic base, representing both the typical species and many variants. Please do not hesitate to point out any errors regarding the illustrations or the species they belong to, or any other necessary corrections. Identifying orchids is not a competition to check off the greatest number of species. You may sometimes meet enthusiasts who swear they have seen all the species that are still left for you to discover or confidently claim that certain species, reputed to be rare, are actually common. Let this not discourage you in your quest, and remain humble in front of a tricky species: it is often a variety of the most common species or a dilemma that will not have an absolutely certain solution. Around 70 orchid species will be presented, as well as a few subspecies commonly encountered: almost all of the most common ones. Of the approximately 160 species (species + subspecies) in our territory, this will represent the majority or all of the discoveries you could make during a few regional walks or over a season. The other species are either rare to very rare, some regional and highly localized (and some are still absent from my inventory, which certainly gets richer every year but remains partial due to the need to visit many regions). For others, they will be impossible to identify without the help of specialists. You may encounter helpful people in the field or through online contacts, but for identification assistance, some individuals who are very vocal about their numerous or exceptional discoveries will strangely remain silent about yours. The descriptions are basic but, I hope, understandable and sufficient. I have stuck to simple language to be accessible without a glossary, even at the risk of lacking scientific rigor, which some may criticize: this is intentional. Orchids love to deceive, so don't be surprised if you occasionally encounter one outside its normal biotope, in a region where it is not supposed to thrive, growing at an unrecorded altitude, or blooming outside its usual flowering period!

Himantoglossum hircinum. Orchis bouc. Lizard orchid. The orchid is common in almost all departments and flowers between May and June. A little earlier sometimes in some years. It is generally a large, robust orchid that likes calcareous soils and is often found on slopes. It gets its name from a sometimes musky odor, but often the scent is light or absent. The English more accurately call it "lizard orchid" because of its very characteristic oversized and sometimes twisted labellum. Click on the photos to enlarge

Ophrys fuciflora. Ophrys frelon. Late spider orchid. The Ophrys frelon or bumblebee is a small Ophrys in size (often 10 to 20 cm, sometimes up to 30 cm and exceptionally 40 cm). The shape is stocky and the flowers are generally few in number (2 to 10). The labellum has a characteristic trapezoid shape, and it is covered with variable hairs and patterns. Note the two atrophied petals generally concolorous (pink) with the sepals at the back. Petals and sepals can be white but always concolorous. The lateral sepals are sometimes "pointed" but can also be very rounded, so this is not an important criterion for identification. The sepals are less extensive than for the Ophrys abeille but there is little risk of confusing them due to the general appearance of the flower. Also note the very visible yellow appendage at the tip of the labellum. This Ophrys is more easily seen in eastern France but it is present in other French departments (a little over half). In the Alps, it is found below 1400 meters. Grows on fresh to dry land. It is found on sufficiently drained embankments or roadsides, in wasteland and sometimes in very shaded meadows.