Eifel Germany part 2: the beech forrest
 

The beech forest (Fagus sylvatica) was my favourite location of the tour because I really like nice old trees.

Although only a small patch there were several orchids species present in large numbers. Also there were some typical old forest plants like:

• Lilium martagon
• Anemone nemorosa
• Galium odoratum
• Oxalis acetosella

We found 3 orchids on this location.

Neottia nidus-avisthe bird's-nest orchid a saprophyte (to keep things simple) with no chlorophyll (what makes leaves green and produces the sugar for all green plants and oxygen for us). They rely on interaction with fungi for their food. The benefit of the relationship for the fungi is not clear. The name is coming from the shape of the root system.

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...nidus-avis.jpg

Neottia ovata synonym Listeria ovata European common twayblade. Recently this species and the other Listerias have been added to the Neottias based on DNA analysis. It was one of the most common orchids on the tour and was found on most forrest edges / tree lines.

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...ttiaovata1.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...ttiaovata2.jpg

Cephalanthera damasoniumWhite Helleborine. I passed several of these thinking that the flowers were closed. But it seems they don't open any further and are typically self pollinated.

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...damasonium.jpg

Cool, great photos.

More nice pics! :) Neottia nidus avis is so easy to overlook, it blends in so well. I heard that it was recently rediscovered in the Netherlands, in Limburg. Funny, because where I live in france these grow like a weed in the middle of the city!