Elder Orchid

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Elder Orchid
Elder orchid (Dactylorhiza sambucina)

Elder orchid ( Dactylorhiza sambucina )

Systematics
Family : Orchids (orchidaceae)
Subfamily : Orchidoideae
Tribe : Orchideae
Sub tribus : Orchidinae
Genre : Orchids ( Dactylorhiza )
Type : Elder Orchid
Scientific name
Dactylorhiza sambucina
( L. ) Soó
Red elder orchid

The elder orchid ( Dactylorhiza sambucina ) is a plant from the genus of orchids ( Dactylorhiza ) in the family of orchid (Orchidaceae).

description

The elder orchid is a perennial , herbaceous plant reached, the plant height of about 10 to 30 centimeters. Four to six obscure lanceolate leaves are distributed on the angular stem . They are always unspotted and tapered.

Inflorescence of the yellow-flowered form

The flowers are grouped in a dense and florid spike up to 15 centimeters long . The foliage-like bracts are colored green. The lowest clearly tower above the flowers. The flowers, which have a slight scent of elder, are light yellow to bright yellow or orange to purple in color, but the center of the lips is always marked with dark red dots. The proportion of the two color variations (flower color polymorphism) is variable, mixed colors are rare. The lateral sepals have been repulsed. The almost round lip is indistinctly three-lobed. The spur is usually curved steeply downwards.

The flowering period extends from the end of April to June, depending on the altitude and location.

Chromosome number

The number of chromosomes is 2n = 40 or 42.

distribution

The distribution area covers almost all of Europe, but in the Mediterranean area is limited to the mountains. The species occurs from the colline to the alpine altitude . In Germany it rises in the Alps to 1200 m above sea level, in other Alpine countries up to 2000 m. According to Baumann and Künkele , the species has the following altitude limits in the Alpine countries: Germany 98–1200 meters, France 300–2400 meters, Switzerland 600–2200 meters, Austria 300–2000 meters, Italy 260–2280 meters, Slovenia 280–1840 meters. In Europe it rises from 30 meters to 2400 meters above sea level. It is common locally in the Alps, but in parts - especially in Germany - it is absent. In Austria the species can be found scattered. It died out in Vorarlberg and North Tyrol.

Locations and distribution in Central Europe

The plant prefers poor, extensively cultivated meadows and pastures on lime-free or superficially decalcified subsoil. The elder orchid colonizes moderately acidic to weakly alkaline, lime-poor, mostly loose and sandy-stony loamy soils, which should be somewhat humus, it prefers mountain meadows, but also goes into light forests. It likes to thrive on porphyry or gneiss . It is a character species of the Viscario-Festucetum from the Koelerio-Phleion phleoidis association, but also occurs in societies of the Violion caninae or lean societies of the order Arrhenatheretalia elatioris. It often occurs in smaller, loose stands at its locations.

The elder orchid has always been very rare in Central Europe, it only occurs there in low-lime mountain ranges, in the Alpine foothills and in the Alps, and today it is threatened in its population due to the destruction of its location by "melioration".

Sources and further information

literature

The article is mainly based on the following documents:

  • Erich Oberdorfer : Plant-sociological excursion flora for Germany and neighboring areas . With the collaboration of Angelika Schwabe and Theo Müller. 8th, heavily revised and expanded edition. Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart (Hohenheim) 2001, ISBN 3-8001-3131-5 .
  • Manfred A. Fischer, Wolfgang Adler, Karl Oswald: Excursion flora for Austria, Liechtenstein and South Tyrol . 2nd, improved and enlarged edition. State of Upper Austria, Biology Center of the Upper Austrian State Museums, Linz 2005, ISBN 3-85474-140-5 .
  • Xaver Finkenzeller, Jürke Grau: Alpine flowers (=  Steinbach's natural guide . Volume 16 ). Mosaik, Munich 1985, ISBN 3-570-01349-9 , p. 34 .
  • Dietmar Aichele, Heinz-Werner Schwegler: The flowering plants of Central Europe , Franckh-Kosmos-Verlag, 2nd revised edition 1994, 2000, volume 5, ISBN 3 440-08048-X

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b Erich Oberdorfer : Plant-sociological excursion flora for Germany and neighboring areas . With the collaboration of Angelika Schwabe and Theo Müller. 8th, heavily revised and expanded edition. Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart (Hohenheim) 2001, ISBN 3-8001-3131-5 , pp.  284 .
  2. ↑ a b Helmut Baumann , Siegfried Künkele : Orchidaceae . In: Oskar Sebald u. a .: The fern and flowering plants of Baden-Württemberg . 1st edition Volume 8, page 359. Verlag Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart 1998. ISBN 3-8001-3359-8
  3. ↑ Angerer: Alpine Plants, p. 416

Web links

Commons : Elder Orchid ( Dactylorhiza sambucina )  - Album with pictures, videos and audio files

Distribution maps