Limpricht's Rein Orchid

Description:

Deciduous tuberous terrestrial orchid with fairly large (4-6cm across) squid-like flowers. Like all Habenaria, flowers have a nectar spur and in this case look like they should be nocturnal moth pollinated (green/white flowers reflect the moonlight attracting them to drink the nectar) I'd love to know which does the job! The purpose of the branched processes of the orchid's lip are unknown but possibly help disseminate scent. I saw them in the afternoon and then had to push off quick so no chance to sample any aroma.

Habitat:

Steep roadside verge, growing in 10cm of gravel and loamy accumulation over concrete.

Notes:

This was a good sized healthy population (pic 3) but as we drove away, a road maintenance team were approaching with strimmers (weed wackers), so the plants would have been unlikely to set seed.