Globe orchid (Traunsteinera globosa, Fl. Saxon.: 87 (1842))

Family: Orchidaceae

Author: Rchb.

Bibliography: Fl. Saxon.: 87 (1842)

Year: 1842

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Traunsteinera

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to Caucasus

Description

The Globe orchid, known scientifically as Traunsteinera globosa, is an exquisite member of the Orchidaceae family. This captivating plant was first documented in “Flora Saxonica” in 1842 by the botanist renowned for his authoritative contributions to botany, Rchb.

Native to a broad range that stretches from Europe to the Caucasus, the Globe orchid thrives in diverse climatic conditions. It is easily identifiable by its spherical, densely-packed inflorescence, which can resemble a small globe, hence its common name. The flowers are typically pink or purple with intricate markings that enhance their decorative appeal.

The Globe orchid prefers limestone-rich, grassy slopes and meadows, often flourishing at higher altitudes where it benefits from cooler temperatures and ample sunlight. The plant grows from a small, tuberous root and displays slender, upright stems that support the delicate, globe-like floral clusters.

Observing a Globe orchid in its natural habitat is a testament to Europe and the Caucasus’s rich and varied flora. This plant not only enhances the biodiversity of these regions but also serves as a beautiful reminder of the intricate and interconnected natural world.

Common Names

Deu: kugel-knabenkraut, kugelorchis
En: Globe Orchid, Round-headed orchid
Bg: Кълбеста траунщейнера
Cs: Hlavinka horská
Nl: Knotsorchis, Kogelorchis
Fr: Orchis globuleux
De: Rosa Kugelorchis, Kugel-Knabenkraut, Kugelorchis, Kugelformige Orchis
Hu: Gömböskosbor
It: Orchide dei pascoli, Orchide globosa
Pl: Storczyca kulista
Ru: Траунштейнера шаровидная
Sk: Pavstavač hlavatý
Uk: Траунштейнера куляста
: Globe orchid

Synonyms

• Orchis globosa var. gracilis (Schur)
• Orchis globosa var. angustifolia (Zapal.)
• Traunsteinera globosa f. prutica ((Zapal.) Soó)
• Traunsteinera globosa f. major ((Schur) E.G.Camus)
• Orchis globosa var. dentifera (Zapal.)
• Orchis globosa (L.)
• Orchis halleri (Crantz)
• Orchites globosus ((L.) Schur)
• Orchis globosa var. prutica (Zapal.)
• Traunsteinera globosa f. dentifera ((Zapal.) Soó)
• Nigritella globosa ((L.) Rchb.)
• Traunsteinera globosa f. gracilis ((Schur) E.G.Camus)
• Orchis globosa var. major (Schur)
• Orchis globosa var. albiflora (Schur)

Distribution

• Austria (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Italy (native)
• Krym (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Aug 21, 2021 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 6, 2019 by furs (cc-by-sa)

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

Taken Jun 4, 2021 by Paolo Cassissa (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 24, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (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.

Habit

Taken Jun 11, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 24, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 11, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

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

Taken Aug 21, 2021 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 18, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 12, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 18, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 24, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

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

Bark

Taken Jul 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jul 18, 2012 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 24, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Yann QUELEN (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

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

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2784401)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:660401-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Traunsteinera globosa (L.) Rchb.)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.0

Ph minimum: 7.5

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 6

Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’]

Soil nutriments: 3