- Flowering period
- May - June
- Threat status ?
- Habitat
- Dry meadow
- Scientific name
- Orchis mascula
Orchis mascula
LB: Maans-Bouwekraut
FR: orchis mâle
DE: Stattliches Knabenkraut, Männliches Knabenkraut
The nectar decoying flowers of the early-purple orchid do not produce nectar, but mimic in colour and shape the flowers of other nectar plants blooming at the same time, in order to be attractive to pollinating insects. This is a widespread and highly successful pollination strategy of orchids. The early-purple orchid grows in rough pastures and forest edges and is quite common throughout the country.