Pink-butterfly Orchid
Anacamptis papilionacea
This orchid is a master of food-deception; its flowers mimic nectar-producing species to lure in solitary bees, but it actually produces no nectar reward of its own.
- Scientific name
- Anacamptis papilionacea
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Liliopsida › Asparagales › Orchidaceae › Anacamptis
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- grassland
- Habitat
- Mediterranean grasslands, garrigue, scrublands, pastures, and open woodlands.
- Diet
- Autotrophic (photosynthesis, utilizing sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide).
- Range
- Southern Europe, North Africa, Middle East
- Size
- 10 to 40 cm in height.
- Lifespan
- Perennial, capable of living for several decades through its underground tubers.
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat loss from urbanization, agricultural intensification, land abandonment leading to excessive scrub growth, and illegal collection by plant enthusiasts.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. You can safely admire and photograph this orchid from a close distance. Do not pick the flowers or dig up the tubers, as orchids are highly sensitive to habitat disruption and many species are legally protected. If touched, it is non-toxic, but please leave it undisturbed to allow natural pollination.
Anacamptis papilionacea (formerly Orchis papilionacea ) is a species of flowering plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae. It is commonly known as the pink butterfly orchid.
Photo: Davide Puddu, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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