Native French Orchids

[kavanaru]

In May this year I went to spend some days in the French Alps. I was surprised to see so many orchids. Literally, there were thousands of plants blooming at thattime. Mainly the four species shown here, but I could identify also at least 5 other species growing and in buds (including Cypripedium calceolus

Orchis mascula


Orchis purpurea


Dactylorhiza fuchsii (considered as sub-species of Dactylorhiza maculata)


Dactylorhiza sambucina (both yellow and purple forms are found within the same population all the time)

[ronaldhanko]

I'm blown away and very envious. What a thing to see all these! Thanks, too, for looking at my blog.

[kavanaru]

Thanks, Ron! you should have seen the field where I found the Dactylorhiza sambucina... Thousands of them all over the place! so many, that at the beginning (seen form the car) I thought they were primulas... really impressive!!

as per your blog... reallly nice!! I am the one envious here

[RosieC]

I saw Dactylorhiza fuchsii or a natural hybrid of it last year, but there were just the odd one scattered here and there, not masses of them like you describe.

What wonderful pics, I especially like the Orchis mascula ones, such a wonderful colour. I really like the yellow form of the Dactylorhiza sambucina as well, I've only really seen purple Dactylorhiza before so it's really interesting to see this.

[DelawareJim]

Beautiful plants, and fabulous photography Ramon.

I can well see how you initially mistook the Dactylorhiza sambucina for primroses. A great example of convergent evolution.

I've got to get back there again sometime. I can still remember how blown away I was seeing the Gentiana kochiana and Rhododendron ferrugineum in the Swiss Alps.

Cheers.
Jim

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

They're all beautiful!

Wish they were able to be grown here in Southern California.

[fotofashion]

...and worthy, perhaps, of inclusion in the calendar.
Beverly A.

[camille1585]

Wow, great shots Ramon! I like D.mascula, there are a few different color forms of it. The alba is quite pretty, there are some growing in a field next to our countryhouse.

All of the areas of the french Alps that I have hiked (mainly in Savoie and Haute Savoie) have been extremely rich in orchids. I agree, fields of D.sambucina are amazing to see! I also know of one spot were at least 200 Cyp calceolus are growing, and it's just jaw dropping to see. I believe that there are at least a hundred different species growing in that area of the Alps, so if you go out at peak orchid season you're bound to see at least a dozen species in one hike. There's a great website (in french) on all the orchids of the Hautes-Alpes department. Orchidées des Hautes-Alpes : Bienvenue sur le site des Orchidées des Hautes-Alpes

Jim- The Gentiana kochiana is quite stunning to see, and I now have some growing in my garden. Have you seen Gentiana verna? The blue of it is even more intense. It really is as blue as in the photo.

[marydaniellesantos]

Originally Posted by fotofashion

...and worthy, perhaps, of inclusion in the calendar.
Beverly A.

I completely agree! Your photos are always stunning! Thank you for sharing!

[rastafouni]

Wonferful, thanks for posting Ramon and Camille.

If I remember well, I think that Camille has written an interesting article on orchid Board about orchids from the Alps.
I started growing orchids in Thailand but originally I am from Haute Savoie and it seems that I've missed a lot as I was mostly trecking on the mountains in search of mushrooms... didn't look enough for those nice flowers.