Ophrys lunulata
Half-moon orchid (Ophrys lunulata )
The half-moon orchid (Ophrys lunulata ) is a plant of the genus Ragwurzen ( Ophrys ) in the orchid family ( Orchidaceae). It flowers from March to April.
Description
This perennial herbaceous plant reaches heights of growth from 10 to 40 cm. This plant species is one of two spherical to ovoid tubers as outlasting. At the base of the stem is not until two scale-like leaves, and three to six leaves in a basal rosette and one to three differ -ended leaves are above.
The inflorescence is loose and includes normally six to ten, rarely four flowers. The lower support sheets are longer than the flowers. The sepals are pink to red colored, while the deeply lobed lip red to dark brown appears with a bald yellow to light brown edge. The time usually has the shape of a half moon, where this orchid has its name.
Location and distribution
This type can be found on nutrient-poor grasslands, Garriguen, former cultivated land and in open woods on moderately dry to moist, base-rich, but also weakly acidic soils to a height of 800 meters above sea level. It is believed that this orchid is native only in Sicily and in the Aeolian Islands, as information such as about discoveries in Malta are questionable.