Ghost orchid (Epipogium aphyllum, Summa Veg. Scand.: 32 (1814))

Family: Orchidaceae

Author: Sw.

Bibliography: Summa Veg. Scand.: 32 (1814)

Year: 1814

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Epipogium

Vegetable: False

Observations: Temp. Eurasia

Description

The Ghost Orchid, scientifically known as Epipogium aphyllum, is a remarkable and rare species within the Orchidaceae family. Noted for its ethereal beauty and elusive nature, the Ghost Orchid has captivated botanists and plant enthusiasts alike since its first formal description in Summa Vegetabilium Scandinaviae in 1814 by renowned botanist Sw.

This exquisite orchid species is predominantly found in temperate regions across Eurasia, gracing forests with its ghostly presence. True to its name, the Ghost Orchid is often a fleeting sight, appearing and disappearing unpredictably, which adds to its mystical allure. Unlike other orchids that have lush green leaves, Epipogium aphyllum is devoid of foliage, an adaptation reflected in its scientific name – ‘aphyllum’ directly translates to ‘leafless’.

The Ghost Orchid’s delicate flowers are pale and translucent, often bearing soft hues of white and yellow with intricate markings. These blossoms are typically suspended on slender, almost translucent stems, giving the illusion that they are floating midair. This unique floral arrangement, coupled with the plant’s scarce foliage, creates an otherworldly appearance reminiscent of a ghost, hence the common name.

Growing in the shaded understory of forests, the Ghost Orchid thrives in a symbiotic relationship with mycorrhizal fungi, which provide essential nutrients that the plant cannot obtain through photosynthesis due to its lack of chlorophyll. This intricate relationship highlights the complex and delicate balance within ecosystems where the Ghost Orchid resides.

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, Epipogium aphyllum holds significant ecological importance, serving as a reminder of the intricate interdependencies in nature. Conservation efforts are crucial for this enigmatic species, as it faces threats from habitat loss, climate change, and human activities. Protecting the habitats of the Ghost Orchid ensures the preservation of not only this beautiful plant but also the broader ecological networks upon which it depends.

In summary, the Ghost Orchid, or Epipogium aphyllum, is a stunning and rare member of the Orchidaceae family. Its leafless, ethereal form, and reliance on symbiotic fungi make it a fascinating subject of study and a cherished sight in the temperate forests of Eurasia.

Common Names

Deu: blattloser widerbart, widerbart
Dan: knælæbe
Lav: bezlapu epipogija
Eng: ghost orchid
Swe: skogsfru
Sme: vuovdeeamit
Cym: tegeirian y cysgod, y galdrist rithiol
En: Ghost orchid, Leafless Epipogium, Spurred Coralroot
Hy: Էպիպոգիում անտերև
Be: Надбароднік бязьлісьцевы
Bg: Безлистен епипогиум
Zh: 無葉上鬚蘭, 裂唇虎舌兰
Hr: Bezlisni nadbradac
Cs: Sklenobýl bezlistý
Da: Knælæbe
Nl: Spookorchis
Et: Lehitu pisikäpp
Fi: Metsänemä, Korallimetsänemä
Fr: Épipogon sans feuilles, Épipogium sans feuilles
De: Blattloser Widerbart, Widerbart, Ohnblatt
Hu: Levéltelen bajuszvirág
It: Epipogio
Kk: Жапырақсыз орашық
Lv: Bezlapu epipogija
Lt: Belapė antabarzdė, Belape antbarzde
Se: Vuovdeeamit
No: Huldreblom, Huldreblomst
Os: Зылындидин
Pl: Storzan bezlistny
Ru: Надбородник безлистный
Sv: Skogsfru
Zh-tw: 無葉上鬚蘭
Th: กล้วยไม้ผียูเรเชีย
Uk: Надбородник безлистий
Cy: Y galdrist rithiol, Tegeirian y Cysgod

Synonyms

• Epipogium epipogium ((L.) H.Karst.)
• Epipogium gmelinii (Rich.)
• Epipactis epipogium ((L.) All.)
• Satyrium epipogium (L.)
• Epipogium aphyllum var. stenochilum (Hand.-Mazz.)
• Serapias epigogium ((L.) Steud.)
• Epipogium generalis (E.H.L.Krause)
• Limodorum epipogium ((L.) Sw.)
• Epipogium aphyllum f. albiflorum (Y.N.Lee & K.S.Lee)

Distribution

• Altay (native)
• Amur (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Korea (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Krym (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Nepal (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Poland (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Feb 24, 2022 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2021 by abc d (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 3, 2021 by César Gonzalez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 24, 2022 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 2, 2018 by Thierry Ceyrac (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Sep 5, 2014 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Anonymous (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jun 25, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Keith JONES (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude Bouzat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Paul Fabre (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 24, 2022 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 15, 2002 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2019 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jul 7, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Paul Fabre (cc-by-sa)

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

Fruit

Taken Aug 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

© 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.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2849252)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:633401-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Epipogium aphyllum Sw.)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.5

Light: 2

Atmospheric humidity: 6

Bloom months: [‘jul’, ‘aug’]

Soil nutriments: 4