Dactylorhiza-majalis-ssp-majalis_3

Description:

Dactylorhiza majalis ssp. majalis (Rchb,) Hunt Summerh., syn.: Orchis latifolia nomen ambiguum, Dactylorhiza comosa (Scop.) Sell.Western Marsh Orchid, DE: Breitblattrige FingerwurzSlo.: majska prstasta kukavicaDat.: June 06. 2012Lat.: 46.34647 Long.: 13.98599Code: Bot_627/2012_DSC3925Habitat: Alpine high marsh, grassland, flat terrain, acid ground, full sun, exposed to direct precipitations, average precipitations ~ 3.000 mm/year, average temperature 3-5 deg C, elevation 1.215 m (4.000 feet), alpine phytogeographical region. Substratum: humid soil.Place: Pokljuka flats, near the road from Gorjue villatge to Mrzli studenc place, East Julian Alps, Posoje, Slovenia EC Comments: Dactylorhiza majalisis a very variable species having several subspecies described, which taxonomy meaning is still disputed. Fortunately, only generally accepted subspecies 'majalis' is known in Slovenia. The species also often forms hybrids, not only with several species of its own genus, but also with members of genera Coeloglossum, Nigritella and Gymnadenia. Thus encounters with plants, which are not simple to be determined, are quite frequent. Generally one can find it almost in all European countries growing from plains up to 2.000 m elevation. It is not really a rare plant, but also not a common one. The seeds of this orchid contain no nutrition (endosperm) for the embryo. Thus, germination can take place only by means of infection with a root fungus, which provides initial nutrition.Dactylorhiza majalis loves marches and acid ground. Since these habitats are quickly disappearing from our world, at least at lower elevations, or because of the entry of nitrogen via fertilizers in them, it is highly endangered. Plants photographed were growing in a group of about twenty.Protected according to 'Uredba o zavarovanih prosto iveih rastlinskih vrstah' Ur.l. RS, t.46/2004 (Regulation on protected wild plants, Official gazette of Republic of Slovenia, No. 46/2004).Enlisted in the Slovene Red List of rare and endangered species, marked by "V" representing a vulnerable species.Ref.:(1) H. Baumann, S. Kuenkele, R. Lorenz, Orchideen Europas, Ulmer (2006), p 53. (2) A. Martini et all., Mala Flora Slovenije, Tehnina Zaloba Slovenije (2007) (in Slovene), p 771. (3) M.A. Fischer, W. Adler, K. Oswald, Exkursionsflora sterreich Liechtenstein, Sdtirol, LO Landesmuseen, Linz, Austria (2005), p 1040.(4) H. Haeupler, T. Muer, Bildatlas der Farn- und Bltenpflazen Deutschlands, Ulmer (2000), p 714.