This extremely rare species of orchid can live for years underground without flowering. Epipogium aphyllum, as botanists call it, has once again shown the tip of its nose in the Spanish Pyrenees, right in the middle of the Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park, the largest in Catalonia. We explain how.
She had literally been missing for a year. And here she is back in the Pyrenees, just on the other side of the Spanish border. The Ghost Orchid (Epipogium aphyllum) blooms again this summer in the Natural park of Cadí-Moixeró
With an area of more than 41,000 hectares, it is the largest natural park in Catalonia. It extends to the south-east of the Pyrenean chain and includes mountain ranges of medium and high altitude such as the Serra del Cadí, the Serra de Moixeró and the Pedraforca. Protected area since 1983, it is known for the richness and diversity of its flora.
And it is probably no coincidence that one of the rarest flowers in the world makes its reappearance there. The park agents who check its population every year have just found at least twenty specimens of this fascinating orchid! On social networks this week, the Parks of Catalonia proudly share this discovery.
Known by the scientific name ofEpipogium aphyllum, this orchid owes its fame above all to its mystery. The plant is extremely rare because it “refuses” to propagate. It is devoid of chlorophyll (hence its whitish or translucent appearance), it has no leaves and does not use photosynthesis for its growth.
She still depends on a fungus for food. Botanists say she is “mycoheterotroph”. Specimens can live for years, hidden under our feet without blooming, or even bloom underground, waiting for the right conditions to pop their heads out of the ground. It is also a very rare species in France and therefore naturally protected on this side of the border.
2023-08-12 05:21:14
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