HIMANTOGLOSSUM SAMARIENSE

Family and Genus:- See- ORCHIDACEAE

Common Names:- Cretan or Samarian Himantoglossum

Homotypic Synonyms:- Himantoglossum affine subsp. samariense,

Himantoglossum caprinum subsp. samariense

Meaning:- Himantoglossum (Gr) Strap-tongue.

Samariense (L) Of Samaria, reference to the Samarian gorge west

Crete.

Stem:-

1) Up to 50 cm., brown-green.

Leaves:-

1) 5-8 large, varying from elongated to lanceolate 25 x 5 cm with two growing

directly from the stem.

Flowers:-

1) Inflorescence, widely-spaced with 12-20 flowers.

2) Bracts, greenish-red measuring up to 35 mm, larger than the ovary.

3) Sepals;

a) lateral, 12 mm

b) middle, 10 mm.

4) Petals, 9 mm; together forming a long, green hood, edged in reddish brown.

5) Labellum, base, white and spotless, spur, 2-4 mm and sac-like,.tri-lobed;

a) mid-lobe, measuring 50-70 mm twisted brownish-red and forked with the

length of the separation being 12-15 mm.

b) lateral lobes, small 5-10mm and wavy.

Fruit:-

1) Capsule, dehiscing, by 3 or 6 longitudinal slits.

2) Seeds numerous, minute, with undifferentiated embryo and no endosperm.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Rocky places in open woodland, scrubland vegetation and grassland.

500-1300 m.

Distribution:- A rare Cretan endemic, that grows in the three main massifs.

Flowering time:- May-June

Photos by:- Steve Lenton