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Monkey Orchid Orchis simia 

 
 
Attracts ButterfliesButterflies are attracted to this plant
Attracts FliesFlies are attracted to this plant
Perennial Life CyclePerennial life cycle
Orchid-Like FlowersOrchid-like flowers
Purple FlowersPurple flowers
6 Petals6 petals
May-Jun Flowering
period
Elongated LeavesElongated leaves
Smooth-Edged LeavesSmooth-edged leaves
Round StemRound stem
Fibrous RootsFibrous roots
30cmMaximum height
 
 
  Main image of Monkey Orchid
© 2021 Adrian Briggs
 

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.

 

 
Flower of Monkey Orchid

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Flowers:
Monkey Orchid usually flowers between May and June.

Flower colour:

Flower Colour Purple

Purple

Flower shape:

Flower Shape  Orchid-like

Orchid-like

Petals:

Petal Number =  6

6

Leaf of Monkey Orchid

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Leaves:

Leaf Shape:

Leaf Shape is Elongated

Elongated

Or:

Alternative Leaf Shape is Oval

Oval

Leaf Margins:

Leaf Margin is smooth

smooth

Stem of Monkey Orchid

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Stem and Roots:

Stem shape:

Stem Shape is Round

Round

Root type:

Root Type is Fibrous

Fibrous