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Man Orchid Orchis anthropophora 

 
 
Attracts HoverfliesHoverflies are attracted to this plant
Attracts FliesFlies are attracted to this plant
Attracts BeetlesBeetles are attracted to this plant
Perennial Life CyclePerennial life cycle
Orchid-Like FlowersOrchid-like flowers
Green FlowersGreen flowers
6 Petals6 petals
May-Jun Flowering
period
Oval LeavesOval leaves
Smooth-Edged LeavesSmooth-edged leaves
Round StemRound stem
Fibrous RootsFibrous roots
40cmMaximum height
 
 
  Main image of Man Orchid
© 2021 Adrian Briggs
 

Man Orchid is a native perennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in chalk pits and chalk grassland, to a mature height of up to 40cm.

The Man Orchid takes its name from the appearance of its hooded flowers, with dangling appendages that look like a head and limbs. It grows from tubers, does not always flower annually and is now a rare sight in the UK.

Botanic classification and naming: Man Orchid is a member of the Orchid (Orchidaceae) family. The genus name 'Orchis' identifies the plant as a Orchid with paired tubers resembling 'testicles' and its species name 'anthropophora' means 'man-like plant'.

Concerns: Orchids, like wild flowers in general, are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) from being removed from the wild. Specified rare orchids such as the Early Spider Orchid, Monkey Orchid and Lady's Slipper Orchid are additionally protected from picking and damage. The Man Orchid is considered to be 'endangered' in the UK.

Benefits: The Man Orchid provides nectar for pollinators and is mainly pollinated by sawflies and beetles.

Benefits to wildlife are also indicated with orange icons in the plant profile bar at the top.

 

 
Flower of Man Orchid

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Flowers:
Man Orchid usually flowers between May and June.

Flower colour:

Flower Colour Green

Green

Flower shape:

Flower Shape  Orchid-like

Orchid-like

Petals:

Petal Number =  6

6

Leaf of Man Orchid

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Leaves:

Leaf Shape:

Leaf Shape is Oval

Oval

Or:

Alternative Leaf Shape is Elongated

Elongated

Leaf Margins:

Leaf Margin is smooth

smooth

Stem of Man Orchid

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Stem and Roots:

Stem shape:

Stem Shape is Round

Round

Root type:

Root Type is Fibrous

Fibrous