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Project Noah Nature School
Orchis mascula
Also known as Blue butcher and Early-purple orchid, this orchid is a perennial herbaceous flowering plant from Orchid family (Orchidaceae). It grows some 40 cm high. Leaves are oblong-lanceolate, pale green with parallel nerves and grouped at the base of the stem. Stems were dark violet. The inflorescence are cylindrical, some 10 cm long and composed of up to 20 flowers. Flowers are some 2 to 3 cm long. We observed two color varieties, dark rose and purple. The root system has two tubers resembling testicles, which explains the origin of the name.
Sun exposed meadow on hillside - the prairie was full of them, growing together with Gentiana lutea.
This plant is used in traditional medicine, especially in Asia. It has some anti-diarrhea characteristics, and is used in phytotherapy for these purposes. Tubers are also used in oriental cuisine - a starchy flour, called Salep, is extracted from tubers, and used in making beverages and desserts.
Spotted on May 31, 2015
Submitted on Jun 15, 2015
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