| jojoj16. 01. 2016 18:43:33 |
Frog Orchid and Alpine Onion-orchid
Differentiating orchids (Orchidaceae) can be quite uncertain, just by habitus or general appearance.
Frog Orchid and Alpine Onion-orchid can be easily confused only by height of growth and color of the "helmet", that is 5 perianth leaves which "cover" the flower, while the 6th perianth leaf (the lower one of the 3 from the inner circle) is significantly different – named the lip. The color of the helmet is in both species very variable and similar from greenish, yellowish to reddish.
We can easily distinguish them by the following characteristics:
Frog Orchid - Coeloglossum viride (L.) Hartm.
The lip is strap-shaped – at the base equally wide as at the tip. At the tip it is split into 3 lobes, with the middle lobe distinctly smaller than the lateral ones, sometimes almost rudimentary so we barely notice it, therefore the lip can appear bifid (like a snake's tongue). In color it can be yellow to greenish-reddish.
The stem is smooth, round and leafy at least with one (1) stem leaf, otherwise there can be 3-6.
Leaves are flat oblong-ovate, at tip ± pointed and scissor-like clasping the stem. Basal ones are somewhat larger than upper ones.
Alpine Onion-orchid - Chamorchis alpina (L.) Rich.
The lip is cuneately narrowed towards the top. At the base wider than at the top. Whole! – undivided with tip pointed or rounded. Initially yellow but quickly wilts and browns.
Stem is ridged and LEAFLESS!
Leaves are only basal, linear approximately as long as the stem.
I should also mention that currently the Frog Orchid is reassigned from the genus Coeloglossum to the genus Dactylorhiza, so you wouldn't be confused if in the latest literature, or literature still being prepared, you find the species Dactylorhiza viridis (L.) R. M. Bateman, Pridgeon & M. W. Chase. Perhaps even without citing the synonym Coeloglossum viride. In both cases it's the green wolf's tongue in Slovenian.
Let me also say that with orchids it is almost necessary to show the lip too, because many of them can be distinguished from each other only by this "criterion".
And one more thing. All Slovenian orchids are THREATENED and therefore protected plants. But tireless nature lovers will apparently continue thinning the species by picking flowers. For example the beautiful lady's-slipper on Zelenica may soon disappear, like the scarlet cuckoo on the Slovenian coast. And some other elsewhere too.
Girls, overcome yourselves and leave the flowers where you saw them. Photograph them with all passion.
jojoj
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