Military orchid
Photo: Arne Ader
Translation: Liis
Military orchid.
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Military orchid |
Hall käpp
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Orchis militaris |
The Estonian name of the military orchid, hall käpp, means grey fist or paw. Why grey? – because the outside of the flower is clearly paler-coloured and thus easily distinguished from similar orchids in nature. On the drier alvar lands of western and northwestern Estonia its flowering is already noticeable. The military orchid is quite common elsewhere too, but not as numerous as here, because it prefers a chalcareous soil. In fertile habitats it can grow up to half a metre high; there the leaves surrounding the stalk are particularly lush.
And what has it to do with the military in its Latin name? – let’s look more closely at the flower; a magnifier is a great help. You might discern a little soldier man with a huge helmet, standing with arms and legs akimbo, and the plant itself stands ramrod straight, with a military carriage.
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