Neottia nidus-avis: Bird's-nest Orchid Surprise in Gerdar Forest

The most surprising find of the day was the Neottia nidus-avis. We found many tall, very sun-scorched specimens at the beginning of the Gerdar Forest. A density of this saprophytic orchid that is not at all common!

Neottia nidus-avis, commonly known as the Bird's-nest Orchid, is a saprophytic (or mycoheterotrophic) orchid lacking chlorophyll, giving it an entirely brownish or yellowish colouration with no green parts. It features a short, thick rhizome and thrives in shady, preferably deciduous and damp, forests where it feeds on decomposing organic matter. Its inflorescence is a dense spike of small, light-brown flowers.