Tongue Orchid

Serapias lingua

The Tongue Orchid is a beautiful flower that looks like a little tongue sticking out! It has unique shapes and colors that make it special. This flower loves to grow in sunny spots and can be found in fields and meadows.

Hábitat: Grasslands

Aspecto

The Tongue Orchid has unique greenish-brown sepals and petals that form a protective hood over its distinctive, reddish-purple or brownish-pink lip. This prominent, often hairy 'tongue' hangs forward, making it instantly recognizable and giving the flower its name.

ReinoPlantaeFiloTracheophytaClaseLiliopsidaOrdenAsparagalesFamiliaOrchidaceaeGéneroSerapias

Tongue Orchid

Categoría

Plantas

Rareza

Common

Peligro

1/5 · Muy bajo

Snaps

¡Sé la primera persona en hacer un snap!

Datos interesantes

Its name "lingua" means "tongue" in Latin, for its unique flower lip!

Some scientists believe it might trick male bees by pretending to be a cozy nest.

This sneaky orchid often offers no nectar, making pollinators work for free!

You can find this unique flower hiding in sunny Mediterranean fields and scrublands.

Habilidades especiales

Tongue Orchid can mimic female solitary bees with its flower shape and subtle scent, tricking male bees into pollinating it.

Tongue Orchid has a fuzzy, tongue-like lip that feels like a female bee's body, encouraging male bees to land and pick up pollen.

Medidas y detalles

Altura: 10-40 cm
Extensión: 5-10 cm
Tamaño de la flor: 1-2 cm
Temporada de floración: Spring to early summer
Comestible: No
Toxicidad: Ninguna
Ciclo de vida: Perenne
Método de polinización: Insectos

Conexiones ecológicas

pollinates

solitary bee

Eucera nigrilabris

attracted by deceptive mimicry, no reward offered

pollinates

tawny mining bee

Andrena fulva

tricked by the flower's appearance and texture

eaten by

garden snail

Helix aspersa

snails can browse on the leaves and flowers

Rasgos

Aromático

Las plantas aromáticas producen y emiten compuestos orgánicos volátiles fragantes, a menudo como defensa o para atraer a los polinizadores.

Floración

Las plantas con flores son cualquier planta que produce flores como parte de su ciclo reproductivo.

Floración de verano

Las plantas de floración de verano producen sus flores durante la temporada estival, a menudo aportando un color vibrante cuando muchas otras plantas ya han terminado de florecer.