Himantoglossum hircinum is a perennialherbaceous plant, reaching a height of 115 centimetres (45 in). It persists in the soil as a pair of ovoid/subglobose tubers, with short roots. Its leaves are 5–20 cm long, with basal leaves larger than aerial leaves and the plant is glabrous. Flowers are green-white with a long twisting/coiled labellum which may be tinged with a variety of colours; white, green, purple or brown. Flowers strongly smell of male goats.[1]
This orchid grows in dry meadows, rocky areas, and open woods. It tends to grow on south-facing grassy slopes, among Bromus and Brachypodium grasses.[2] In France it is often found on roadsides. In the United Kingdom it grows to a maximum altitude of 850m.[3]
This species is found across Europe, from Spain eastwards to the Balkans and in western North Africa. It is usually rare but can sometimes be found in great numbers in suitable habitats. Examples of sites for this species include among sand dunes at Sandwich Bay in the United Kingdom, Massif Central in France and the Mugello Valley in Italy.[4]
Ecologyedit
Flowers
Himantoglossum hircinum is a food-deceptive orchid species, meaning the flowers generally provide no nectar to their pollinators.[5] The Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland states however that some plants have been found to provide nectar to pollinators, and that it remains unclear which species are the principal pollinators of the lizard orchid, although they suggest Andrena bees.[6]
It has been suggested that H. hircinum is a mycorrhizal generalist, though some have questioned this, due to the species' limited distribution, and the issue remains unresolved.[7]
Chemistryedit
Orchinol, loroglossol and hircinol are phenanthrenoids that can be isolated from infected Loroglossum hircinum.[8]
Conservationedit
This is a rare species with protected status in the United Kingdom and Germany and possibly other countries.[9]
Etymologyedit
The 'lizard' in the plant's English common-name refers to the shape and colour of the flowers. The Latin genus Himantoglossum means 'strap-tongue', after the shape of the flower labellum and the species epithet 'hircinum' means 'of goats', after the smell the flowers produce.[10] In German the plant is known as 'Bocks Riemenzunge', which translates as 'buck's (i.e. goat's) strap-tongue'. The French name 'l'orchis bouc' means 'buck (i.e. goat) orchid'.
^New Journal of Botany - Morphometric, molecular, ontogenetic and demographic observations on selected populations of the Lizard Orchid, Himantoglossum hircinum
^Structure of Orchinol, Loroglossol, and Hircinol. Roy M. Letcher and Llewellyn R. M. Nhamo, J. Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans. 1, 1973, pages 1263-1265, doi:10.1039/P19730001263
^Orchids of Britain and Ireland: A Field and Site Guide - Genus Himantoglossum
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Himantoglossum hircinum.
March 12, 2024
himantoglossum, hircinum, lizard, orchid, redirects, here, other, uses, lizard, orchid, disambiguation, lizard, orchid, species, orchid, genus, himantoglossum, found, europe, north, africa, scientific, classificationkingdom, plantaeclade, tracheophytesclade, a. Lizard orchid redirects here For other uses see Lizard orchid disambiguation Himantoglossum hircinum the lizard orchid is a species of orchid in the genus Himantoglossum found in Europe and North Africa Himantoglossum hircinumScientific classificationKingdom PlantaeClade TracheophytesClade AngiospermsClade MonocotsOrder AsparagalesFamily OrchidaceaeSubfamily OrchidoideaeGenus HimantoglossumSpecies H hircinumBinomial nameHimantoglossum hircinum L Spreng SynonymsSatyrium hircinum L Orchis hircina L Crantz Loroglossum hircinum L Rich Aceras hircinum L Lindl Contents 1 Description 2 Habitat and distribution 3 Ecology 4 Chemistry 5 Conservation 6 Etymology 7 References 8 External linksDescription edit nbsp Pale flowered specimenHimantoglossum hircinum is a perennial herbaceous plant reaching a height of 115 centimetres 45 in It persists in the soil as a pair of ovoid subglobose tubers with short roots Its leaves are 5 20 cm long with basal leaves larger than aerial leaves and the plant is glabrous Flowers are green white with a long twisting coiled labellum which may be tinged with a variety of colours white green purple or brown Flowers strongly smell of male goats 1 A similar looking species called Himantoglossum adriaticum is found in Eastern Europe Habitat and distribution editThis orchid grows in dry meadows rocky areas and open woods It tends to grow on south facing grassy slopes among Bromus and Brachypodium grasses 2 In France it is often found on roadsides In the United Kingdom it grows to a maximum altitude of 850m 3 This species is found across Europe from Spain eastwards to the Balkans and in western North Africa It is usually rare but can sometimes be found in great numbers in suitable habitats Examples of sites for this species include among sand dunes at Sandwich Bay in the United Kingdom Massif Central in France and the Mugello Valley in Italy 4 Ecology edit nbsp FlowersHimantoglossum hircinum is a food deceptive orchid species meaning the flowers generally provide no nectar to their pollinators 5 The Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland states however that some plants have been found to provide nectar to pollinators and that it remains unclear which species are the principal pollinators of the lizard orchid although they suggest Andrena bees 6 It has been suggested that H hircinum is a mycorrhizal generalist though some have questioned this due to the species limited distribution and the issue remains unresolved 7 Chemistry editOrchinol loroglossol and hircinol are phenanthrenoids that can be isolated from infected Loroglossum hircinum 8 Conservation editThis is a rare species with protected status in the United Kingdom and Germany and possibly other countries 9 Etymology editThe lizard in the plant s English common name refers to the shape and colour of the flowers The Latin genus Himantoglossum means strap tongue after the shape of the flower labellum and the species epithet hircinum means of goats after the smell the flowers produce 10 In German the plant is known as Bocks Riemenzunge which translates as buck s i e goat s strap tongue The French name l orchis bouc means buck i e goat orchid References edit Journal of Ecology Himantoglossum hircinum Journal of Ecology Himantoglossum hircinum Journal of Ecology Himantoglossum hircinum Sandwich Bay and Hacklinge Marshes SSSI citation New Zealand Journal of Botany Himantoglossum hircinum lizard orchid reviewed in the light of new morphological and molecular observations BSBI Species Accounts Himantoglossum hircinum New Journal of Botany Morphometric molecular ontogenetic and demographic observations on selected populations of the Lizard Orchid Himantoglossum hircinum Structure of Orchinol Loroglossol and Hircinol Roy M Letcher and Llewellyn R M Nhamo J Chem Soc Perkin Trans 1 1973 pages 1263 1265 doi 10 1039 P19730001263 BSBI Species Accounts Himantoglossum hircinum Orchids of Britain and Ireland A Field and Site Guide Genus HimantoglossumExternal links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Himantoglossum hircinum J Claessens J Kleynen European orchids Andrena sp pollinator of Himantoglossum hircinum Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Himantoglossum hircinum amp oldid 1183377051, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
