Observation of Gymnadenia conopsea in Costa Pubilla

During a recent hike along the route to Costa Pubilla, I had the opportunity to spot a single specimen of Gymnadenia conopsea, commonly known as the Fragrant Orchid. The observed individual was already quite advanced in its flowering stage, indicating a late-season find.

This slender geophyte orchid is renowned for its distinctive long, cylindrical spike inflorescence, featuring flowers that range from pink to white and emit a pleasant vanilla scent, hence its common name. A key characteristic is its very long, thin, and pointed spur, which plays a crucial role in attracting butterflies for pollination. Gymnadenia conopsea typically thrives in humid environments such as wet meadows, bogs, and mountain scrub, a habitat consistent with the location of this observation. Although only one plant was sighted, its presence at Costa Pubilla contributes valuable data to the understanding of the orchid flora in this mountain area.