| Neotinea ustulata | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Orchidoideae |
| Genus: | Neotinea |
| Species: | N. ustulata |
| Binomial name | |
| Neotinea ustulata | |
| Synonyms [2] | |
Orchis ustulataL. | |
Neotinea ustulata (syn.Orchis ustulata), theburnt orchid[3] orburnt-tip orchid, is a European terrestrialorchid native to mountains in central and southern Europe, growing at up to 2,400 m (7,900 ft) elevation. The plant is considered Endangered in Great Britain and Least Concern internationally based on IUCN Red List criteria.[4] The burnt-tip orchid was voted thecounty flower ofWiltshire in 2002 following a poll by the wild flora conservation charityPlantlife.[5]
Neotinea ustulata grows from two spherical tubers with thick roots. Old sources believed that the plant could grow underground for 10–15 years before the first stem appears. Plants have 3 to 9 cm (1.2 to 3.5 in) leaves with prominent veins, along with a couple of leaves typically around the flower stem, which can reach 28 cm (11 in), though typically less than 13 cm (5.1 in) tall.[4]
Flowers are born in a dense cylindrical pattern, with individual plants capable of producing up to 70 flowers. The sepals and petals form a 3 mm (0.12 in) hood that is reddish-brown, over a white crimson-spotted lower lip that is 4 mm (0.16 in). Flowers have a strong fragrance that is described as similar to honey, though flowers do not produce nectar.[6]N. ustulata flowers from May through June, with the subspecies,Neotinea ustulata subsp.aestivalis blooming in July in England. The late flowering subspecies has a different, unpleasant aroma, indicating different pollinators.[7] The common name comes from the tips of the flower buds having a burnt appearance.[4]
Seed set for flowers is low, at around 20%, but each seed capsule may contain 2000-4000 seeds, which are dust-like and travel hundreds of kilometres on the wind.[7]
Neotinea ustulata is distributed throughout central and south Europe, with its main populations in Spain and Greece in the south, reaching England and southern Sweden in the north, and reaching as far east as the Caucasus and Ural mountains. It grows as high as 2,400 m (7,900 ft) elevation in the Carpathian mountains and the Alps. It typically grows on chalky subsoil (occasionally acidic soils) ingrassland; fens and open pine forest; mountain meadows, valleys, and ledges; wet grasslands.[4] The plant's largest population in northwest Europe is onParsonage Down, inWiltshire,England.[8][9]
The early-flowering subspeciesNeotinea ustulata var. ustulata is pollinated by atachinid parasitic flyTachina magnicornis. The late-flowering subspeciesNeotinea ustulata var. aestivalis is pollinated by the longhorn beetlePseudovadonia livida and possibly also bybees.[7][6]
Neotinea ustulata is highly restricted in which species ofmycorrhizal fungi it can partner with, relying upon species in theRhizoctonia group. One study has indicated that partnership with a species ofCeratobasidium also occurs.[7]
As this species is one of the smallest European orchids, it generally relies on low intensity grazing to compete with other plants for light.[10] It is however, not spared by grazers; above ground, plants may be eaten bysheep,cows,rabbits,slugs andsnails.Wild boar sometimes dig out the roots of the plant and consume them.[10]
The genusNeotinea is named after an Italian botanist,Vincenzo Tineo (1791-1856), who was Director ofPalermo botanical garden and later the Chancellor of Palermo University. His published works include 'Plantarum rariorum Sicilae' (1817) and 'Catalogus plantarum horti' (1827).[11] The Latinspecific epithetustulata means "slightly burnt",[12] referring to the appearance of the flower spike, as the common name does.
Media related toburnt orchid (Neotinea ustulata) at Wikimedia Commons
Data related toburnt orchid (Neotinea ustulata) at Wikispecies
