Anacamptis spp.
pyramidal orchid
Europe, Mediterranean basin, North Africa, and western Asia
SunFull Sun – Part Shade
Overview
Anacamptis spp. is a genus of about eleven species of terrestrial orchids in the family Orchidaceae, native to Europe, the Mediterranean basin, North Africa, and western Asia. Plants grow from pairs of underground tubers and send up a basal rosette of narrow, lance-shaped leaves 2-10 in (5-25 cm) long, sometimes marked with spots. A single erect flower stem 6-24 in (15-60 cm) tall carries a dense spike of many small flowers, conical to cylindrical in outline. Individual blooms measure 0.3-0.8 in (8-20 mm) across in shades of pink, magenta, purple, and white, each with a three-lobed lip and a slender backward-pointing spur holding nectar. The type species, A. pyramidalis, the pyramidal orchid, has a sharply conical spike of rose-pink flowers pollinated by day-flying butterflies and moths. Plants die back to the tubers after flowering and remain dormant through summer drought or winter cold, depending on the species. Anacamptis spp. grows in grassland, dunes, and open scrub, often on lime-rich soils, and like most terrestrial orchids depends on soil fungi and resists transplanting from the wild.
Native Range
Anacamptis spp. is native across Europe from the British Isles and Scandinavia south to the Mediterranean, and east through North Africa, the Caucasus, and western Asia to Iran. Several species are restricted to the Mediterranean basin.Suggested Uses
Anacamptis spp. is grown in wildflower meadows, naturalistic grassland, and specialist orchid collections, and A. pyramidalis is sometimes added to chalk-grassland restorations. The nectar-spurred flowers draw butterflies and day-flying moths.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6" - 2'
Bloom Information
Most Anacamptis spp. species flower from mid-spring into summer (roughly April-July in the Northern Hemisphere), with Mediterranean species opening earlier and northern grassland species later. The dense spikes hold their small pink to purple flowers for two to four weeks. Seed capsules ripen over the following weeks, releasing dust-like seed.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
pink, magenta, purple, or whiteFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Drought Tolerance
Drought tolerant when established