Niottia nidus-avis, Bird's Nest Orchid

Identification

Niottia nidus-avis has no green leaves. It grows straight out of the ground to a height of about 15-50cm, and produces many flowers that are clustered near the top of the plant.

Life Cycle

This orchid has a tangle of roots of its own that makes mycorrhizal fungi associations for carbon and nutrient supply and that taps into tree roots to parasitize them. It flowers in clumps in springtime and grows to a height of around 40cm.

Host Information

Deforestation is causing a steep decline of N. nidus-avis alongside deciduous woodland trees and plants.

Distribution

It is found in Northern and Central Europe as well as forests and woodlands farther south toward the Mediterranean. They grow best in warm and wet conditions, and fail to grow at all in very dry seasons.

https://www.first-nature.com/flowers/neottia-nidus-avis.php