Malaxis monophyllos

Hoary strip ( Malaxis monophyllos )

The Small- strip ( Malaxis monophyllos ) is the only European species of the genus Malaxis, an orchid genus of the orchid family ( Orchidaceae).

Name

Other German names are strip ( here there is a likelihood of confusion ), leaved bog orchid or Einblattorchis that as well as the specific epithet refers to the characteristic monophyllos single leaf of the plant. All German name of the inconspicuous orchid are considered by Heinrich Marzell than books name. The genus name Malaxis - ' softening ' comes from the Greek with not exactly clarified naming motivation; most probably the name referred initially to Hammarbya paludosa, which only weakly formed roots has ( Genaust ).

Description

There are inconspicuous perennial herbaceous plants that reach heights of growth from 10 to 35 cm. It is characterized by a single, sometimes two egg-shaped, basal, parallel venation, the stem comprehensive leaves that are 4-9 cm long and 2-5 cm wide. The root tuber ( pseudobulb ) is flat and greenish.

The inflorescences are long and lockerblütige spikes with many small greenish flowers.

The flowering period extends from June to July.

Pollination

Malaxis monophyllos is pollinated by fungus gnats. The pollinia are leaf-like; there are two pollinia are superposed in the anther. They are connected with a drop Klebflüssigkeit and so the pollinators are attached under the chin.

Occurrence

The Small- strip is widely used in Europe, Asia and North America.

It prefers moist locations like wet deciduous forests, wet meadows, fens and Kalkflachmoore.