Biology
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英語
)
由Arkive提供
An unusual feature of this long-lived perennial (6) orchid is that the flowers at the top of the flower spike open before those further down, this gives the spike a flattened appearance rather than the typical spire shape, (2) although when in full bloom this can be difficult to detect (2). It can take about 7 years after germination for a plant to flower, leaves begin to appear in April, and flowering occurs from May to June. A single plant is known to have flowered every year for 19 years (6). Like all members of this genus, each plant has two oval tubers, which earned the genus the Greek name Orchis, which translates as 'testicle' (1).
Conservation
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英語
)
由Arkive提供
This orchid occurs on wardened nature reserves and private land managed by a local Wildlife Trust. At one site, flowering plants are protected from trampling and grazing by wire hats, which sit over the plant (4). Under Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981 it is illegal to uproot, cut, sell or destroy monkey orchids (5).
Description
(
英語
)
由Arkive提供
The English name of this very rare orchid refers to the shape of the flowers, which resemble monkeys. The curled 'arms and legs' of the lip are long and thin and there is a stumpy 'tail' (1).
Habitat
(
英語
)
由Arkive提供
Inhabits grassy areas and woodlands (3).
Range
(
英語
)
由Arkive提供
Known from two locations in Kent and two sites in Oxfordshire (1), the monkey orchid was fairly common in the Thames Valley about 150 years ago (2). The species is widespread throughout southern and western Europe, the Mediterranean and North Africa (6).
Status
(
英語
)
由Arkive提供
Classified as Vulnerable in Great Britain, and fully protected under Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (5).
Threats
(
英語
)
由Arkive提供
Collecting, grazing by rabbits and the removal of turf have affected this species (2). A colony was discovered in 1974 amongst sand dunes at Spurn Peninsula Nature Reserve in South East Yorkshire. Unfortunately in 1983 a bad storm caused the area to be inundated with seawater and the colony died (2). DNA tests have demonstrated that this species has low genetic diversity, a feature which may cause this orchid to be vulnerable to natural change (8).
Orchis simia
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英語
)
由wikipedia EN提供
Orchis simia, commonly known as the monkey orchid, is a greyish pink to reddish species of the genus Orchis. It gets its common name from its lobed lip which mimics the general shape of a monkey's body.[1]
The range of the species is central and southern Europe, including southern England, the Mediterranean, Russia, Asia Minor, Caucasus, northern Iraq, Iran to Turkmenistan and northern Africa[2][3] where it occurs in grassland, garrigue, scrub and open woodland, chiefly on limestone soils. It is absent from the Balearic Islands, Corsica and Sardinia.[4] On Cyprus the species can be categorized as threatened,[2] and it became a protected species in the UK in 1975 under the Conservation of Wild Creatures and Wild Plants Act.[5]
Gallery
Wild monkey orchid (Orchis simia), Hérault, France
References
Orchis simia: Brief Summary
(
英語
)
由wikipedia EN提供
Orchis simia, commonly known as the monkey orchid, is a greyish pink to reddish species of the genus Orchis. It gets its common name from its lobed lip which mimics the general shape of a monkey's body.
The range of the species is central and southern Europe, including southern England, the Mediterranean, Russia, Asia Minor, Caucasus, northern Iraq, Iran to Turkmenistan and northern Africa where it occurs in grassland, garrigue, scrub and open woodland, chiefly on limestone soils. It is absent from the Balearic Islands, Corsica and Sardinia. On Cyprus the species can be categorized as threatened, and it became a protected species in the UK in 1975 under the Conservation of Wild Creatures and Wild Plants Act.
,_H%C3%A9rault,_122624.jpg)
