Monkey Orchid is a
native
perennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in grazed chalky grassland in a sunny position, to a mature height of up to 30cm.
The Monkey Orchid is named after the distinctive shape of its purple and white or magenta and white flowers, which have several monkey-like features. Each 'monkey' dangles by its 'head' from a hood made of sepals and petals. The 'head' has two pollen-bearing structures which appear as 'eyes' and the pollen-receiving stigma appears like a smiling 'mouth'. Below this, there is a 'torso' with tufted 'hair' and attached to this are four elongated 'limb'-like lobes and a central 'tail'. To complete the illusion, the end of each long lobe is curled upwards to look like 'hands' and 'feet'.
Botanic classification and naming: Monkey 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 'simia' means 'monkey (flowers)'.
Concerns: Orchids, like wild flowers in general, are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) from being removed from the wild. Rare orchids such as the Monkey Orchid, Early Spider Orchid and Lady's Slipper Orchid are additionally protected from picking and damage. The Monkey Orchid is considered to be 'vulnerable and near-threatened'.
Benefits: Although the Monkey Orchid attracts butterfly and fly pollinators, it has low fertilisation rates and so hand-pollination is used to help preserve the species in the UK.
Benefits to wildlife are also indicated with orange icons in the plant profile bar at the top.
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