The Native Wild Orchids of Andalucia
Wild Orchids are Among the Most Delightful of Spain’s Spring Flowers
Feb 18, 2009
Orchids with their exotic, waxy flowers tend to be considered primarily as tropical plants, but in fact they may be found in every continent of the world including the Antarctic. Over 20,000 different wild orchid species occur naturally around the world, and as they hybridize so easily horticulturalists have bred a huge number of cultivated orchid varieties – possibly as many as 100,000.
Native Andalucian Orchids
Over fifty different wild orchids are native to Andalucia, all but two of the total number found in Spain. Some are quite rare, but there are a number of relatively common, albeit quite beautiful, species, which are widespread along the coast and in the Sierras.
Wild orchids come in an infinite variety of shapes, colours and sizes, from the dainty Milky Orchid which rarely reaches 20cm to the Lizard Orchid which can grow to over 90cm. Most have multi headed flower spikes. Some individual flowers are quite compact, others slender and graceful with long flowing spurs, but all have a characteristic “lip” - an enlarged petal or sepal which acts as a landing platform for pollinating insects. This is usually the most colourful part of the flower, and may mimic the insect it aims to attract. So realistic is the Bee Orchid that real bees may actually try to mate with its lip.
The earliest Andalucian orchids to flower, such as the Fan-Lipped and Milky orchids, normally appear in early February, brilliant splashes of colour sparkling beneath a sheltering rock or shrub. Through March and April many others join the swelling tide of colour as the spectacular display of Andalucia's spring flowers spreads across the hillsides and roadside verges.The Pink Butterfly Orchid , possibly the most spectacular of all, is amongst the last to flower.
Common Orchid Species
The most widespread of Andalucia’s wild orchids include:
- Spotted Orchid dactylorhiza maculata. A conical or oblong spike of heavily marked pale pink to purple flowers, three lobed lip. Flowers May - July. Often grows in large colonies.
- Mirror Orchid ophrys speculum. Green or yellow sepals, dark purple petals. Lip three lobed with a shiny, metallic blue centre and yellow, brown fringed edge. Flowers March - May.
- Monkey Orchid orchis simia. White or pale pink flowers, forming a blunt spike. Lip similarly coloured, shaped like a figure with two arms, two legs and a tiny tail. Flowers March - May.
- Pink Butterfly Orchid orchis papilionacea.White or pale pink flowers, with darker spots or stripes on heart shape lip. Flowers May - July.
- Sombre Bee Orchid ophrys fusca. Green or yellow sepals, dark purple petals. Lip three lobed with a shiny, metallic blue centre and yellow, brown fringed edge. Flowers March - May.
- Sawfly Orchid orchis tenthredinifera.Pink or purple/violet sepals, purple or violet petals. Squarish, unlobed purple/brown lip with a yellow margin. Flowers March - May.
- Toothed Orchid orchis tridentata. A cone of pale violet/lilac flowers spotted with purple. Flowers March - May.
Where to Find Wild Orchids
All the common orchids listed are widespread throughout Andalucia, but are paricularly common in places like the natural parks of the Sierra Nevada, and the Sierra de Tejeda Almijara y Alhama in Axarquia. Look for them in areas of rocky garrigue, in olive groves and pasture, and in roadside verges.
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