Sawfly orchid

Description:

Plant blooms from winter to spring and can grow 3 to 8 flowers that are 2.5cm wide per an inflorescence. Plant is found in areas with partial shade. Plants rely on a fungus in the soil allows them to obtain sufficient nutrients. The flowers are pollinated by a male insect which is attracted when the flower release a similar scent to female pheremones. The root is ediable and grinded into a powder called salep. Salep is very nutritious and is made into a drink or added to other cereals and used in bread. Tubers for creating salep should be harvested as the plant dies down after flowering and setting seed.

Habitat:

They are found in cool grassy areas with rocky acidic soil.