Wild orchid: *Orchis simia*

What a beautiful flower! Wild orchids are not very known here in central Europe but we have a certain diversity of orchids. Here is the Orchis simia (Monkey orchid). I photographed it a few days ago, the flower will ted in some days. You have to be at the right spot at the right moment to see this beautiful orchid.

If you look carefully, you can see that each flower looks like a little body with a tail. This is why it is named after a monkey.

The flower likes calcareous soils and grows in dry areas like meadows or banks. It can be 20 to 50 cm height.

I hope you enjoyed this rare flower.