Orchids of Cascina La Famo, Piedmont, Italy


The Orchids of Cascina La Famo


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.



Ophrys Fuciflora

Late Spider Orchid


Ophrys Fuciflora

Late Spider Orchid (2)


Ophrys Fuciflora

Late Spider Orchid (3)


Orchis purpurea

Lady Orchid


Orchis purpurea

Lady Orchid (2)


Orchis purpurea

Lady Orchid (3)


Cephalanthera Damasonium

White Helleborine


Cephalanthera Damasonium

White Helleborine (2)


Ophrys Apifera

Bee Orchid


Ophrys Apifera

Bee Orchid (2)


Anacamptis Morio

Green-Winged Orchid


Anacamptis Morio

Green-Winged Orchid (2)


Ophrys sphegodes

Early Spider Orchid


Ophrys sphegodes

Early Spider Orchid (2)


Cephalanthera longifolia

Narrow-leaved Helleborine


Cephalanthera longifolia

Narrow-leaved Helleborine (2)


Neotinea Tridentata

Three-toothed Orchid


Neotinea Tridentata

Three-toothed Orchid (2)


Platanthera chlorantha

Greater Butterfly Orchid


Platanthera chlorantha

Greater Butterfly Orchid (2)