Naked man orchid - Orchis italica - AWESOME!

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Late night browsing through native orchids in my good old Europe, this one is off the hook! Orchis italica, known also as "Naked Man Orchid" is Mediterranean orchid mainly located in the southern half of Spain. I would love to see one in wild!

[Laserbeak]

Wow, can you grow these? Are they sold?

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Originally Posted by Laserbeak

Wow, can you grow these? Are they sold?

No, they are protected and rare, unfortunately:-( But absolutely stunning:-) And so funny too:-))))

[AussieVanda]

I almost didn't want to look as I wasn't sure what I was going to see but that's funny as!

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Originally Posted by AussieVanda

I almost didn't want to look as I wasn't sure what I was going to see but that's funny as!

Thank you AussieVanda, did not want to scare anyone, but I find this one really interesting and gorgeous, wish it would be for sale, but some things we can not have, like your Australian duck orchid:-)

[euplusia]

Very peculiar. We have a similar species here named Orchis simia. Simia is Latin for monkey, what you can clearly see in the first picture. In the vernacular people call it phiz or doll orchid. Related is the man orchid (Orchis anthropophora). Italians say Ballerina.
It is said that all this species invaded Central Europe from the Mediterranean after the end of the Ice Age, following human agriculture or pasture.
And within the last 2 decades specified nurseries made a big progress and managed to propagate several species from seed, so they are available for the market now.

[SlipperGirl]

That is so funny and cool looking

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Originally Posted by euplusia

Very peculiar. We have a similar species here named Orchis simia. Simia is Latin for monkey, what you can clearly see in the first picture. In the vernacular people call it phiz or doll orchid. Related is the man orchid (Orchis anthropophora). Italians say Ballerina.
It is said that all this species invaded Central Europe from the Mediterranean after the end of the Ice Age, following human agriculture or pasture.
And within the last 2 decades specified nurseries made a big progress and managed to propagate several species from seed, so they are available for the market now.

OMG that is very similar, Euplusia, do you know where they are for the sale? Awesome, thanks so much for sharing this!

[AnonYMouse]

Bwahahahahaha

I think they left out something in the name. I think it should be "naked man with funny hat" orchid.

[RosieC]

Really cool, not seen this one before, like euplusia it made me think of Orchis simia immediately. I think that can be a rare one as well at least it is in this country though it grows wild in a couple of places here.