Meadow orchids

Seductresses... of insects

In spring, the meadows around here come alive with flowers. 
The most beautiful and striking to the attentive observer are the wild orchids, fascinating plants that combine beauty, complexity and fragility:
Their flowers are unusual: they have a petal – the labellum – that acts as a landing pad for pollinators. 
Some are masters of seduction for insects, imitating their scent, colour or even shape to attract them and make them land on them. 
The seeds contain no nutritional reserves and need the help of microscopic fungi to germinate, with which they establish a symbiotic relationship. Without these fungi, the seed cannot develop.
Precisely because they depend on fungi and very specific habitats, orchids are slow to grow and are very sensitive to environmental changes: fertilisers, premature mowing, soil compaction or landscape changes can lead to local extinction.
Their presence indicates a healthy, undisturbed environment with good biodiversity. For this reason, they are considered precious plants and are protected.

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