Credit: natur&ëmwelt
Luxembourg’s Fondation Hëllef fir d’Natur has confirmed that orchids across the Grand Duchy are starting to flower.
In a recent press release, the nature foundation detailed that, depending on the species, orchids can be found both on dry lawns and in wet meadows. The foundation remarked that “each species of orchid has its own species of bee which pollinates it” and “each orchid is remarkable for the diversity of shapes and colours of its flowers and for its adaptation to the environment in which it grows”.
Orchids are dependent on specific types of environments, such as dry lawns or wet meadows. While some orchids are fairly widespread and easy to observe, others are rare and inconspicuous.
Fondation Hëllef fir d’Natur noted that the broad-leaved orchid and the spotted orchid, with their red to purple flowers, are among the easiest orchids to observe. However, they are becoming increasingly rare, as the habitats they depend on - fresh or moist and, especially, unfertilised meadows - have declined significantly. Despite the presence of 36 different species of orchid in the country, ten recorded species no longer exist in the wild.
As all orchids are protected and authorities strictly forbid picking them, Fondation Hëllef fir d’Natur has suggested it is better to take a photograph of the orchids so that one can enjoy the plants all year round and come back to admire them the following year.
