Orchis italica
Orchis italica Poir.
Orchis italica, known as the naked man orchid or Italian orchid, is a species native to the Mediterranean Basin. It is characterized by its bright pink, densely clustered flowers and a lobed lip resembling a naked man wearing a hat. The plant grows up to 50 cm in height and flowers in April, preferring partial shade and low-nutrient soil. It is found in countries such as Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, and others across the Mediterranean region.
Description
Orchis italica is a member of the Orchidaceae family and is native to the Mediterranean Basin. It is commonly referred to as the naked man orchid due to the shape of its lobed lip, which resembles a human figure. The plant typically grows in partial shade and thrives in low-nutrient soils. It reaches a height of up to 50 cm and produces bright pink, densely clustered flowers in April. In Italy, the plant is traditionally associated with promoting virility. Its distribution includes regions such as Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, and several other Mediterranean countries.
Distribution
Portugal Continental · Albania · Algeria · Baleares · Cyprus · East Aegean Is. · Greece · Italy · Kriti · Lebanon-Syria · Libya · Morocco · Palestine · Portugal · Sardegna · Sicilia · Spain · Tunisia · Turkey · Yugoslavia
Synonyms
Orchiaceras welwitschiiOrchis italica f. albifloraOrchis italica lus. maculataOrchis longicrurisOrchis undulatifoliaOrchis welwitschiiOrchis fusca var. stenolobaOrchis longicruris subsp. longipenisOrchis purpurea var. stenolobaOrchis simia var. undulatifoliaOrchis purpurea subsp. stenolobaOrchis tephrosanthos var. undulatifoliaOrchis italica f. brevilobaOrchis italica var. fontinalisOrchis italica var. sepalinaOrchiaceras bivonae var. welwitschiiOrchis purpurea var. stenolobaOrchis longicruris var. breviloba