giant orchid
ExplorePlants
giant orchid
Himantoglossum robertianum
The giant orchid is a beautiful flower with long, unique shapes. It can grow quite tall and has a lovely scent that attracts butterflies and bees.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The giant orchid has a stout stem topped with a dense cluster of purplish-green to brownish-purple flowers. Each flower displays a distinctive large, deeply lobed lip, often white or pinkish with dark spots, resembling a small figure.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassLiliopsidaOrderAsparagalesFamilyOrchidaceaeGenusHimantoglossum
Category
PlantsRarity
Rare
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Giant orchid seeds are tinier than dust, so small they float on the wind!
Its name 'Himantoglossum' means 'strap tongue', describing its long, wavy lip!
Some people think its flowers look like tiny little people or dancers!
This orchid can pop up surprisingly early, even in late winter!
Special abilities
Ability
Underground Energy Tank
Giant orchid uses its hidden underground tubers to store food, helping it survive and grow back each year.
Ability
Sweet Scent Signal
This orchid produces a sweet honey-like scent, a powerful signal that guides busy bees right to its flowers for pollination.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 20-80 cm
- Spread
- 10-30 cm
- Flower Size
- 1-2.5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late winter to early spring
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
European honey bee
Apis mellifera
visits flowers for nectar and transfers pollen
eaten by
Garden snail
Helix aspersa
snails sometimes feed on leaves and young shoots
eaten by
European rabbit
Oryctolagus cuniculus
rabbits might browse on the plant's tender parts
Traits
Aromatic
Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators.
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Summer Blooming
Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
Fragrant Flower
Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Endangered
Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't pick flowers, as they are important for nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify giant orchid?
The easiest way to identify giant orchid is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How tall is giant orchid?
20-80 cm
How wide does giant orchid spread?
10-30 cm
How big are the flowers on giant orchid?
1-2.5 cm
When does giant orchid bloom?
Late winter to early spring
Is giant orchid edible?
No
Is giant orchid toxic?
None
What is giant orchid's lifecycle?
Perennial
Snap Map
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