Man orchid (Orchis anthropophora, Fl. Pedem. 2: 148 (1785))

Family: Orchidaceae

Author: All.

Bibliography: Fl. Pedem. 2: 148 (1785)

Year: 1785

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Orchis

Vegetable: False

Observations: W. Europe to Medit.

Description

The Man Orchid, scientifically known as Orchis anthropophora, is a captivating species belonging to the renowned Orchidaceae family. First documented in 1785 in the comprehensive “Flora Pedemontana” (Volume 2, page 148) by Allioni, this orchid has piqued the interest of botanists and nature enthusiasts alike.

Native to Western Europe and extending towards the Mediterranean region, the Man Orchid thrives in calcareous soils typically found in grasslands and open woodlands. It is distinguished by its unique inflorescence that strikingly resembles the form of a human figure, an attribute that has led to its common name.

The Man Orchid’s structure features a spike adorned with numerous small flowers, each deceptively resembling a humanoid shape with a helmet-like hood and limb-like petals, giving it its peculiar and fascinating appearance. These blooms typically display greenish to yellowish tones, often tinged with subtle hues of red or purple, and emerge between May and June, contributing to the plant’s ethereal charm.

Ecologically, Orchis anthropophora plays a vital role in its habitat, contributing to the biodiversity of the regions it inhabits. It attracts various pollinators, ensuring the continuation of its species and supporting the broader ecosystem.

In summary, the Man Orchid is not only a botanical marvel due to its unusual and striking appearance but also an important component of the ecological tapestry of Western Europe to the Mediterranean. Its enchanting anthropomorphous flowers continue to intrigue and inspire those who encounter them, cementing its status as a true gem of the Orchidaceae family.

Common Names

Deu: ohnhorn-knabenkraut
Eng: man orchid
Nld: poppenorchis
Cym: tegeirian gŵr, tegeirian y gŵr, tegeiriau’r gŵr
En: Man orchid
Ar: سحلب بشري
Ca: Flor de l’home penjat
Zh: 人帽兰
Hr: Okruglastogomoljasta bezostruška
Nl: Poppenorchis
Fi: Nukkekämmekkä
Fr: Homme pendu, Acéras homme-pendu, Homme-pendu, Orchis homme-pendu, Orchidée homme-pendu, Orchis homme pendu, Acéras homme pendu, Porte-Homme, Pantine
De: Ohnhorn, Ohnhorn-Knabenkraut, Fratzenorchis, Menschentragendes Ohnhorn, Ohnsporn
It: Ballerina
Lt: Šlaitinis beragis
Fa: ارکیده آدم
Pt: Erva-do-homem-enforcado, Erva-dos-rapazinhos, Orquídea-dos-rapazinhos
Ru: Ацерас фигурный
Es: Orquídea hombre, Flor del Hombre Ahorcado, Hombre ahorcado, Hombrecillo ahorcado
Sv: Spökyxne
Cy: Tegeirian y gŵr, Tegeirian Gŵr, Tegeiriau’r Gŵr

Synonyms

• Aceras anthropophorum f. apiculatum (Höppner)
• Aceras anthropophorum var. balearicum (Chodat)
• Ophrys anthropophora (L.)
• Ophrys anthropomorpha (Willd.)
• Aceras anthropophorum var. angustata (Rouy)
• Satyrium anthropomorphum (Pers.)
• Satyrium anthropophorum ((L.) Pers.)
• Serapias anthropophora ((L.) Jundz.)
• Aceras anthropophorum f. angustatum ((Rouy) Maire)
• Loroglossum anthropophorum ((L.) Rich.)
• Aceras anthropophorum f. purpurata (Balayer)
• Aceras anthropophorum ((L.) W.T.Aiton)
• Aceras anthropomorphum ((Pers.) Sm.)
• Arachnites anthropophorus ((L.) F.W.Schmidt)
• Aceras anthropophorum var. angustatum (Rouy)
• Loroglossum brachyglotte (Rich.)
• Himantoglossum anthropophorum ((L.) Spreng.)
• Aceras anthropophorum var. latior (Rouy)
• Aceras anthropophorum f. latior ((Rouy) Maire)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken May 13, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 14, 2014 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 12, 2022 by Stéphane Mars (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 28, 2020 by claire myosotis (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 9, 2019 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Nov 8, 2019 by michel Crémilleux (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 4, 2020 by Florian Barrot (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 25, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 9, 2019 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2017 by Susana López (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Apr 19, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2021 by beurny (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 14, 2014 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 12, 2022 by Stéphane Mars (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 9, 2022 by martine lebeaupin (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2017 by carmen Pérez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2001 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Apr 27, 2019 by Florian Barrot (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Apr 15, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 25, 2022 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 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.

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

Other

Taken May 15, 1997 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

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

Taken May 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Apr 30, 1851 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 23, 2021 by Renaud Brochiero (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2849624)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:648363-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Orchis anthropophora (L.) All.)

Specifications

Growth

Bloom months: [‘apr’, ‘may’, ‘jun’]