Fragrant orchid (Gymnadenia conopsea, W.T.Aiton, Hortus Kew. 5: 191 (1813))

Family: Orchidaceae

Author: (L.) R.Br.

Bibliography: W.T.Aiton, Hortus Kew. 5: 191 (1813)

Year: 1813

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Gymnadenia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to N. & C. Japan

Description

The Fragrant Orchid, scientifically known as Gymnadenia conopsea, is a captivating species renowned for its enticing aroma and delicate beauty. This elegant member of the Orchidaceae family thrives across a diverse range of climates, extending from Europe to Northern and Central Japan. The distinguished British botanist, William Townsend Aiton, first documented the species in his influential work “Hortus Kewensis” in 1813, a classic reference outlining various plant species.

Gymnadenia conopsea is characterized by its slender spikes adorned with numerous small, yet intricately structured, pink to purplish flowers. These blossoms typically appear in the summer months, blanketing meadows and grasslands with their delicate hues and enchanting fragrance. The orchid’s scent, often described as spicy and sweet, is one of its most notable features, drawing both people and pollinators alike to its presence.

Adaptable to a variety of habitats, the Fragrant Orchid favors calcareous soils and is commonly found in moist environments such as marshes, damp meadows, and limestone grasslands. Its broad geographical distribution testifies to its resilience and ability to thrive in different environmental conditions.

A symbol of natural beauty and biodiversity, the Fragrant Orchid holds a special place in botanical studies and conservation efforts. Its widespread distribution from Europe through to Japan underscores the interconnectedness of our global ecosystems, highlighting the importance of preserving such exquisite species for future generations to appreciate and enjoy.

The formal identification and classification by the authoritative figure of Robert Brown (R.Br.) further cement the status of Gymnadenia conopsea within the rich tapestry of the Orchidaceae family. Each detailed observation and careful documentation contribute to our comprehensive understanding and appreciation of this remarkable orchid.

Common Names

Eng: fragrant orchid, common fragrant-orchid
Deu: große händelwurz (i. w. s.), mucken-handelwurz, mücken-händelwurz
Dan: langakset trådspore, trådspore
Nob: brudespore
Nno: brudespore
Swe: brudsporre, punakirkiruoho, brudgran, brudsporreblomma
Nor: fagerhuvendel, langspora
Nld: grote muggenorchis
Fra: gymnadénie moucheron
Lav: odu gimnadenija
Fin: punakirkiruoho
Sme: moarserássi
Cym: tegeirian peraroglaidd, tegeirian peraroglaidd talsyth, tegeirian pêr, tegeiriau pêr
En: Fragrant orchid, Orchids, Common Fragrant-orchid, Sweet-scented Orchid
Ca: Caputxina olorosa
Cs: Pětiprstka žežulník
Da: Langakset trådspore, Trådspore
Nl: Grote muggenorchis
Fi: Punakirkiruoho
Fr: Orchis moucheron, Gymnadénie intermédiaire, Gymnadénie moucheron, Orchis moustique
De: Langspornige Handwurz, Große Händelwurz (i. w. S.), Mucken-Handelwurz, Mücken-Händelwurz, Große Händelwurz, Mücken Händelwurz, Mücken Handwurz
It: Manina rosea, Orchide garofanata
Lv: Odu gimnadenija
Se: Moarserássi
No: Fagerhuvendel, Langspora
Nb: Brudespore
Nn: Brudespore
Sk: Päťprstnica obyčajná
Sv: Brudsporre, Punakirkiruoho, Brudgran, Brudsporreblomma
Cy: Tegeirian Peraroglaidd, Tegeirian Peraroglaidd Talsyth, Tegeirian Pêr, Tegeiriau Pêr

Synonyms

• Gymnadenia angustifolia (Ilse)
• Gymnadenia conopsea f. niphobia (Engenst.)
• Gymnadenia conopsea var. ussuriensis (Regel)
• Gymnadenia conopsea var. ornithis ((Jacq.) Nyman)
• Gymnadenia conopsea var. caucasica (Schltr.)
• Gymnadenia conopsea f. crenulata ((Beck) Soó)
• Gymnadenia conopsea var. albiflora (Zapal.)
• Gymnadenia conopsea var. sibirica ((Turcz. ex Lindl.) Rchb.f.)
• Gymnadenia ornithis ((Jacq.) Rich.)
• Gymnadenia conopsea f. trifida ((Zapal.) Soó)
• Gymnadenia sibirica (Turcz. ex Lindl.)
• Orchis conopsea var. comigera ((Rchb.) Marcet)
• Gymnadenia transsilvanica (Schur)
• Gymnadenia conopsea var. angustifolia (Asch. & Graebn.)
• Orchis cornopica (Mill.)
• Gymnadenia alpina ((Turcz. ex Rchb.f.) Czerep.)
• Gymnadenia conopsea var. serotina (Schönh.)
• Gymnadenia conopsea subsp. peloria ((Foucault ex Poir.) K.Richt.)
• Gymnadenia pseudoconopsea ((P.E.Parm.) Rouy)
• Gymnadenia conopsea subsp. comigera ((Rchb.) K.Richt.)
• Gymnadenia conopsea var. alpina (Turcz. ex Rchb.f.)
• Gymnadenia splendida subsp. odorata (Dworschak)
• Gymnadenia anisoloba (Peterm.)
• Gymnadenia conopsea var. leucantha (Schur)
• Gymnadenia conopsea var. alba (Gray)
• Gymnadenia conopsea f. praecox ((Schönh.) Soó)
• Gymnadenia conopsea var. odorata ((Dworschak) Kreutz)
• Gymnadenia conopsea f. schurii (Soó)
• Gymnadenia conopsea f. gracilis (Zapal.)
• Gymnadenia conopsea f. transsilvanica (Soó)
• Orchis suaveolens (Salisb.)
• Gymnadenia conopsea f. unicuspis (C.G.Westerl.)
• Orchis conopea var. major (Tinant)
• Gymnadenia conopsea var. lapponica ((J.E.Zetterst.) J.E.Zetterst.)
• Gymnadenia splendida (Dworschak)
• × Orchigymnadenia comigera ((Rchb.) Asch. & Graebn.)
• Gymnadenia wahlenbergii (Afzel. ex Rchb.f.)
• Gymnadenia conopsea var. bieczensis (Zapal.)
• Orchis conopea (Gras)
• Orchis peloria (Foucault ex Poir.)
• Orchis ornithis (Jacq.)
• Gymnadenia conopsea var. clavata (Rchb.f.)
• Habenaria gymnadenia (Druce)
• Gymnadenia conopsea f. elatior (Zapal.)
• Gymnadenia conopsea f. lapponica (J.E.Zetterst.)
• Gymnadenia conopsea var. latifolia (Schltr.)
• Habenaria conopsea ((L.) Benth.)
• Gymnadenia conopsea f. ornithis ((Jacq.) Neuman)
• Gymnadenia conopsea f. comigera ((Rchb.) Rchb.f.)
• Gymnadenia densiflora var. candida (G.Foelsche & W.Foelsche)
• Orchis setacea (Gilib.)
• Gymnadenia conopsea var. crenulata (Beck)
• Gymnadenia conopsea subsp. serotina ((Schönh.) Dworschak)
• Gymnadenia conopsea var. comigera ((Rchb.) Rchb.f.)
• Gymnadenia conopsea var. neglecta (Vöth)
• Gymnadenia graminea (Dworschak)
• Gymnadenia conopsea var. flavida (Kurt.Wagner)
• Orchis conopsea (L.)
• Gymnadenia conopsea var. ecalcarata (Rchb.f.)
• Gymnadenia conopsea var. trifida (Zapal.)
• Gymnadenia conopsea f. serotina ((Schönh.) Soó)
• Gymnadenia conopsea f. albiflora (Moldenke)
• Gymnadenia comigera (Rchb.)
• Satyrium conopseum ((L.) Wahlenb.)
• Gymnadenia conopsea var. graminea ((Dworschak) Kreutz)
• Gymnadenia conopsea var. praecox (Schönh.)
• Orchis pseudoconopsea (P.E.Parm.)
• Gymnadenia conopsea var. inodora (Fr. ex Rchb.f.)
• Orchis conopea var. albiflora (Tinant)
• Gymnadenia conopsea f. monticola (Schur)
• Gymnadenia conopsea f. sublobata (Zapal.)
• × Dactylogymnadenia comigera ((Rchb.) Rauschert)
• Gymnadenia conopsea f. subdensiflora (C.G.Westerl.)
• Gymnadenia conopsea subsp. angustifolia ((Asch. & Graebn.) Zimm.)
• Gymnadenia ibukiensis (Makino)
• Gymnadenia vernalis (Dworschak)
• × Dactylodenia comigera ((Rchb.) Aver.)
• Orchis pseudoconopea (Gren.)
• Gymnadenia conopsea var. platyphylla (Rchb.f.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Altay (native)
• Amur (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• Chita (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Iran (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Japan (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Korea (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Krym (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Nepal (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Connecticut (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jul 26, 2011 by Marcel Ambühl (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 19, 2019 by Nicolas Fleurance (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 9, 2018 by walter kern (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2017 by Simon Popy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 20, 2018 by Renaud Brochiero (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 10, 2021 by Manuëlle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 19, 2021 by Renaud Brochiero (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 16, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 3, 2017 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 23, 2022 by Gerd Suessbier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2021 by Léa Hahn (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 3, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2020 by Francois Mansour (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jun 10, 2020 by Bart J van Loon (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 19, 2019 by Markus Nestmeyer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 16, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 2, 2020 by Polinella (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 11, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Fabienne PAIRE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Jun 11, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Fabienne PAIRE (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2019 by Bernard Chillet_M (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Bark

Taken Jun 22, 2021 by Hilary Martin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 16, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 12, 2021 by Jose Maria Treviño Ferrer (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/7845022)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:636509-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Gymnadenia conopsea (L.) R.Br.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth