English: Violet Limodore; Violet bird's-nest orchid.
Region: Europe, Mediterranean, western Asia.
Habitat: open woodland of evergreen oak, pine and chestnut; on alkaline soil; from sea level to 1300 metres.
BotanyHerb; myco-heterotrophic, parasitic on fungi,
Russulaceae; achlorophyllous; to 85 cm; seedlings develop very slowly, remaining entirely below ground for 8 to 10 years before flowering.
Root: rhizomatous.
Leaves: reduced to scales; contains insufficient photosynthetic pigments.
Inflorescence: 10-20 flowers.
Flowers: violet; flowers from April to June.
Seeds: among the largest in orchids.