Biology:Orchis italica

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Short description: Species of orchid

Orchis italica
Orchis italica wiki mg-k01.jpg
Plant of Orchis italica (Tuscany)
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Genus: Orchis
Species:
O. italica
Binomial name
Orchis italica
Poir.
Synonyms

Orchis italica, the naked man orchid or the Italian orchid, is a species of orchid native to the Mediterranean Basin.[2] It gets its common name from the lobed lip (labellum) of each flower which mimics the general shape of a naked man. In Italy, it is believed that the consumption of the plant is conducive to virility.[3] It prefers partial shade and low nutrient soil, and flowers in April. Orchis italica grows up to 50 centimetres (20 in) in height, with bright pink, densely clustered flowers.

Distribution

Orchis italica is commonly found in large clusters in the Mediterranean region.[4] It is native to southwestern Europe (Balearic Islands, Portugal, Sardinia, and Spain ), southeastern Europe (Albania, Greece, Italy, Crete, Sicily, and countries of the former Yugoslavia), western Asia (Cyprus, the East Aegean Islands, Lebanon, Syria, Israel, Palestinian Territories and Turkey), and northern Africa (Algeria, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia).[5]

References

External links

Wikidata ☰ Q1315197 entry