Pyramid orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis, De Orchid. Eur.: 33 (1817))

Family: Orchidaceae

Author: Rich.

Bibliography: De Orchid. Eur.: 33 (1817)

Year: 1817

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Anacamptis

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe, Medit. to N. Iran

Description

The Pyramid orchid is an enchanting and distinctive plant renowned for its strikingly geometric inflorescence. Scientifically named Anacamptis pyramidalis, this member of the Orchidaceae family captivates observers with its unique, pyramid-shaped clusters of flowers, from which it aptly derives its common name.

First described in 1817 by the distinguished botanist Rich., the Pyramid orchid has since garnered attention for its widespread presence across a diverse range of habitats. Found predominantly throughout Europe and extending from the Mediterranean region to Northern Iran, this orchid demonstrates remarkable adaptability. Its ability to thrive in various environments—from calcareous grasslands to coastal dunes—underscores its resilience and ecological significance.

The inflorescence of Anacamptis pyramidalis consists of densely packed, small, star-like flowers, typically in shades of vivid pink or purple, though varying in hue from white to deep magenta. The flowers’ symmetry and pyramid-like formation make it an exceptional subject for both amateur and professional botanists and nature enthusiasts alike.

Ecologically, the Pyramid orchid plays a vital role in supporting local biodiversity. It serves as a significant source of nectar for various pollinators, including moths and butterflies. Through these interactions, it not only facilitates its pollination but also contributes to the pollinators’ lifecycle, thus enhancing the health of the ecosystems it inhabits.

In summary, the Pyramid orchid, or Anacamptis pyramidalis, is a remarkable species notable for its unique floral structure and broad geographical range. Described over two centuries ago, it remains a subject of fascination and study due to its ecological contributions and aesthetic appeal, highlighting the intricate beauty and complexity of the natural world.

Common Names

Dan: almindelig horndrager, horndrager
Deu: hundswurz, pyramiden-spitzorchis, pyramidenorchis
Nld: hondskruid
Pol: koslaczek stozkowaty
Fra: orchis pyramidal
Eng: pyramidal orchid
Swe: salepsrot, klotyxne, salep
Nor: sørhuvendel
Nob: salepsrot
Nno: salepsrot
Cym: tegeirian ber, tegeirian bera, tegeirian coch yr haf, tegeiriau bera
Gla: magairlín na stuaice
Tur: peynir cicegi, peynircik, piramidal orkide, yogurtcuk, çam salebi
Bul: обикновен анакамптис
Ukr: плодоріжка пірамідальна
En: Pyramid orchid, Pyramidal orchid, Common Pyramidal Orchid, Maltese Pyramidal Orchid
Az: Piramidvari bağ səhləbi
Bg: Обикновен анакамптис
Ca: Barretet piramidal, Flor caputxina
Kw: Tegeyryan purpur an hav
Cs: Rudohlávek jehlancovitý, Rudohlávek jehlancový
Da: Horndrager, Almindelig horndrager
Nl: Hondskruid
Et: Püramiid-koerakäpp
Fi: Kartiokalkkikämmekkä
Fr: Orchis pyramidal, Anacamptis en pyramide, Anacamptis pyramidal
De: Pyramiden-Hundswurz, Hundswurz, Pyramiden-Spitzorchis, Pyramidenorchis, Kammstendel, Pyramiden-Orchis
He: בן-סחלב צריפי
Hu: Vitézvirág
Ga: Magairlín na stuaice
It: Orchide, Orchidea piramidale, Giglione, Orchide piramidale, Orchidea pizzuta
Mt: Orkida piramidali, Orkida pirimidali ta’ Malta
No: Salepsrot, Sørhuvendel
Nb: Salepsrot
Nn: Salepsrot
Os: Сырхсæрдидин
Pl: Koślaczek stożkowaty, Koslaczek stozkowaty
Pt: Orquídea-piramidal, Satirião-menor
Pi: Paramiden-Hundswurz
Ru: Анакамптис пирамидальный
Gd: Magairlín na stuaice
Sk: Červenohlav ihlanovitý
Es: Orquídea piramidal, Piramidasti pilovec
Sv: Salepsrot, Salepsrot Orchid, Klotyxne, Salep
Tr: Sivri salep, Peynir cicegi, Peynircik, Piramidal orkide, Yogurtcuk, Çam salebi
Uk: Анакамптис пірамідальний, Плодоріжка пірамідальна
Cy: Tegeirian bera, Tegeirian Ber, Tegeirian Coch yr Haf, Tegeiriau Bera

Synonyms

• Orchis pyramidalis (L.)
• Aceras pyramidale ((L.) Rchb.f.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jun 23, 2018 by 1 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2018 by 1 (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 24, 2017 by Paul-Olivier Redon (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 13, 2019 by Cruz Fer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2018 by 1 (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jun 8, 2010 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2021 by llinares J (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2021 by Pierre Bonnet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 16, 2020 by Berta Semar (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 13, 2021 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 3, 2020 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2020 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2010 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2022 by John Walsh (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2019 by Marie-Claude Deboin (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 12, 2020 by sabrinanana (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 21, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 13, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2021 by Pierre Bonnet (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 23, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 3, 2019 by Denis Bastianelli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 2, 2020 by enzo delagnes (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 31, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 8, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 2, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jan 5, 2021 by Erich🦅 Ju (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 14, 2021 by francois tissot (cc-by-sa)

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

Taken Jun 3, 2018 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2020 by Alain Bigou (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.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2808330)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:615773-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Anacamptis pyramidalis (L.) Rich.)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 9.0

Ph minimum: 8.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’]

Soil nutriments: 3