Bug orchis
Orchis coriophora
Family: Orchidaceae
What it is like
An orchid. The plant is 15-40 cm high. There are 2 tubers present but one is the old one and the new one produces new shoots. The flower stalk is densely covered with flowers. There are 15-25 small green or dark violet flowers. Each flower is about 15 mm wide. The sepals and petals form a hood and the lip is 3 lobed and curves inwards. It has dark brown spots near the base.
There are about 33 Orchis species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate and Mediterranean climate plant. It grows on slightly acid soils in grasslands. It occurs from sea level to 2200 m altitude.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Asia, Europe, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Slovenia, Turkey, Türkiye
How it is used for food
The dried root is cooked and eaten. The bulb is used to produce salep. It is powered and used with milk for a hot drink.
Edible parts
Root, bulb - drink
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Pirinccicegi, Steničja kukavica