Appearance of Neottia ovata in La Selva county

This Sunday, April 26th, we dedicated the day to field research in the Garrotxa and La Selva counties. During this exploration, we had the opportunity to document the presence of Neottia ovata, commonly known as the Ovate Twayblade, in good condition and in its initial growth phases in the La Selva county.

This perennial terrestrial orchid, which can live up to 40 years, derives its specific name, ovata, from the egg-like shape of its leaves. At this early stage, its two large, opposite, oval-shaped basal leaves—the most distinctive feature of the species before flowering—were clearly discernible. Neottia ovata is a mixotrophic plant, supplementing photosynthesis with carbon obtained from mycorrhizal fungi, an interesting adaptation for its survival in various habitats.

This observation, made on a sunny spring day, contributes to our understanding of the phenology and distribution of this species. The Ovate Twayblade typically inhabits deciduous or mixed forests and meadows, preferring alkaline or slightly acidic soils with medium moisture, conditions that can be found in the explored area of La Selva.