# 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.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Rare
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Grasslands

![giant orchid](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Robertianum1.jpg&width=800)

Photo: CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Robertianum1.jpg)

## 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.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Liliopsida
- **Order:** Asparagales
- **Family:** Orchidaceae
- **Genus:** Himantoglossum

## 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

- **Underground Energy Tank:** Giant orchid uses its hidden underground tubers to store food, helping it survive and grow back each year.
- **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-snail) (*Helix aspersa*) — snails sometimes feed on leaves and young shoots
- **Eaten by:** [European rabbit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-rabbit) (*Oryctolagus cuniculus*) — rabbits might browse on the plant's tender parts

## Traits

- [Aromatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aromatic): Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators.
- [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
- [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
- [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
- [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
- [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## 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?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### 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

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Giant Orchid: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/giant-orchid)