Violet Limodore

Description:

Violet Limodore is a species of myco-heterotrophic, achlorophyllous orchid. The leaves are reduced to scales and, although Limodorum contains photosynthetic pigments, these are insufficient to support the nutrition of the adult plant which is believed to rely entirely on a mycoheterotrophic or parasitic relationship with fungi, primarily of the family Russulaceae. Seeds are among the largest produced by orchids and seedlings develop very slowly, remaining entirely below ground for 8-10 years before flowering.

Habitat:

Oak forest clearing, National park Paklenica