Observation of Orchis anthropophora in Aude, France

This observation stems from a recent exploration across various locations within the Aude department in France. During our route, we had the opportunity to document Orchis anthropophora, commonly known as the Man Orchid or Hanging Man Orchid, a species quite prevalent at several of our stops.

We noted its abundance, with many specimens distinguished by their tall floral spikes, reaching the typical species dimensions of 20 to 40 cm, and even approaching 50 cm. The dense, cylindrical spikes of Orchis anthropophora, with their characteristic small, yellowish-green flowers, were a common sight. Each flower, notably lacking a spur, displays the distinctive trilobed labellum that simulates the silhouette of a small human, with linear lateral lobes resembling arms and the longer central lobe divided into legs—a feature that gives it its popular name. These observations were made in an environment likely offering the calcareous, dry, and well-drained soils that this geophyte orchid prefers, in clearings or dry meadows typical of its Mediterranean-Atlantic distribution.