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Neottia nidus-avis

bird's-nest orchid

Orchidaceae

Europe, temperate Asia, and North Africa

Attracts Pollinators Fragrant (light)

SunFull Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 5–8

Overview

Neottia nidus-avis, the bird-nest orchid, is a leafless, honey-brown perennial orchid that contains no chlorophyll and obtains all its carbon from soil fungi linked to nearby trees. The whole plant is pale brown to ochre, 8-18 inches (20-45 cm) tall, the unbranched stem clothed in a few brown scale-like sheaths in place of leaves. Its common name comes from the dense, tangled mass of short, fleshy roots at the base, which resembles a bird nest. From May to July the upper stem carries a spike of 15-50 brownish flowers, each about 0.4 inch (10 mm) across, with a two-lobed lip and a faint honey scent that draws small flies and gnats. Because it depends entirely on a fungal partner, it appears in deep shade under beech and other trees on humus-rich, often calcareous soil, and it cannot be transplanted or cultivated like green orchids. Plants may stay dormant underground for several years between appearances, surviving on their fungal connection. The brown colouring and shaded woodland habitat make it easy to overlook among leaf litter.

Native Range

Neottia nidus-avis is native across Europe and into temperate Asia and North Africa, growing in shady deciduous and mixed woodland, especially under beech, on humus-rich and frequently calcareous soils. It is absent from North America.

Suggested Uses

This is a wild woodland species of botanical and conservation interest rather than a garden plant. It is observed in nature reserves and ancient woodland, where its brown spikes appear among leaf litter in early summer.

How to Identify

Bird-nest orchid is recognised by being wholly honey-brown and leafless, an unbranched stem 8-18 inches (20-45 cm) tall with brown scales instead of green leaves. The spike holds many small brown flowers, each with a forked, two-lobed lip. At the base a dense tangle of short, fleshy roots forms the nest-like mass that gives the plant its name. Its complete lack of green colour separates it from all leafy woodland orchids.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8" - 1'6"

Width/Spread4" - 8"

Colors

Flower Colors

brown

Foliage Colors

brown

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering runs from May to July. The 15-50 honey-brown flowers open along the upper stem and give off a faint honey scent that attracts small flies and gnats, though many flowers also self-pollinate. Dust-like seed is shed in late summer and can only develop where the right soil fungus is present.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

brown scale-leaves; no green foliage

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Shade

Tolerates up to 2 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.5 - 8.0(Alkaline)

357912

Soil Types

loam chalk

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

several years (mycoheterotrophic)

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Neottia nidus-avis cannot be grown by ordinary means because it lives entirely on carbon supplied by soil fungi associated with woodland trees. It occurs naturally in deep shade on moist, humus-rich, often lime-rich soil under beech and other broadleaved trees. Attempts to dig up and move it fail once the fungal link is broken. In the wild it needs undisturbed leaf litter, stable soil fungi, and the shade of mature trees. Conservation of the plant rests on protecting its woodland habitat rather than on cultivation. It has no garden pests or feeding needs because it is not grown in gardens.

Pruning

No pruning or maintenance applies, as the plant is not cultivated. Spent brown flower spikes wither and collapse naturally after seed is shed. The plant then retreats below ground, sometimes for several seasons.