The hazelnut plantation at Cascina La Famo is home to nine different species of orchid - Orchis purpurea (Lady Orchid), Ophrys fuciflora (Late Spider Orchid), Cephalanthera damasonium (White Helleborine), Ophrys apifera (Bee Orchid), Anacamptis morio (also known as Orchis morio - the Green-winged Orchid), Platanthera chlorantha (Greater Butterfly Orchid), as well as the much rarer Cephalanthera longifolia (Narrow-leaved Helleborine), Ophrys sphegodes (Early Spider Orchid) and Neotinea tridentata (Toothed Orchid).
All nine species of orchid thrive in the semi-shade between the hazelnut trees, and most of them flower in May at our latitude. The grass between the hazels is not subjected to any chemical treatment, and is cut just once each year, in July, which allows the spent orchid flowers sufficient time to set seed.
All of these pictures were taken at Cascina La Famo in late April or May, except for Ophrys sphegodes which were taken on 20th March.
Late Spider Orchid
Late Spider Orchid (2)
Late Spider Orchid (3)
Lady Orchid
Lady Orchid (2)
Lady Orchid (3)
White Helleborine
White Helleborine (2)
Bee Orchid
Bee Orchid (2)
Green-Winged Orchid
Green-Winged Orchid (2)
Early Spider Orchid
Early Spider Orchid (2)
Narrow-leaved Helleborine
Narrow-leaved Helleborine (2)
Three-toothed Orchid
Three-toothed Orchid (2)
Greater Butterfly Orchid
Greater Butterfly Orchid (2)