Lizard Orchid
ExplorePlants
Lizard Orchid
Himantoglossum hircinum
The Lizard Orchid is a special flower that looks like a little lizard! It has long, green leaves and beautiful purple flowers that can make you smile when you see them in nature.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Lizard Orchid has tall, slender stems bearing numerous greenish-yellow flowers with strikingly long, twisted, reddish-brown or purple lips. These distinctive, elongated lips often curl and resemble a lizard's tail or tongue, giving the flower its unique name.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassLiliopsidaOrderAsparagalesFamilyOrchidaceaeGenusHimantoglossum
Category
PlantsRarity
Rare
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Each plant produces thousands of dust-like seeds, carried far by the wind!
It can take up to 10 years for a tiny Lizard Orchid seed to bloom!
Its scientific name, 'hircinum,' means 'of goats' because of its musky smell!
Some Lizard Orchid flowers have lips so long they twist like corkscrews!
Special abilities
Ability
Musky Scent Signal
The Lizard Orchid emits a strong, goat-like scent, helping it lure specific insect pollinators from afar.
Ability
Twisted Landing Strip
Its uniquely long and twisted flower lip provides a distinct landing platform, guiding insects directly to its pollen.
Ability
Underground Powerhouse
Lizard Orchids store energy in underground tubers, allowing them to survive harsh conditions and re-emerge year after year.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-80 cm
- Flower Size
- 3-6 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late spring to early summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
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Red Mason Bee
Osmia bicornis
attracted by scent and flower shape
pollinates
Buff-tailed Bumblebee
Bombus terrestris
visits flowers seeking nectar and pollen
eaten by
Red Slug
Arion rufus
grazes on the orchid's leaves and stems
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Spring Blooming
Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
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
Don't pick flowers in the wild; they are best enjoyed where they grow!
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Lizard Orchid?
30-80 cm
How big are the flowers on Lizard Orchid?
3-6 cm
When does Lizard Orchid bloom?
Late spring to early summer
Is Lizard Orchid edible?
No
Is Lizard Orchid toxic?
None
What is Lizard Orchid's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Lizard Orchid pollinated?
Insect
Where is Lizard Orchid usually found?
Grasslands
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
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