Orchis anatolica

Όρχις η ανατολική

Etymology of Orchis anatolica: The genus name Orchis derives from Ancient Greek "ὄρχις" [orchis] meaning ''testicles'', a reference to the twin tubers of orchids in this genus. The specific epithet "anatolica" comes from Anatolia (much of it in Turkey nowadays) where this orchid was first recorded by Boissier in 1844.

At least 5 Orchis species exist in the wild Cyprus's habitat.

Orchis anatolica is an uncommon (or locally common we could rephrase) flowering only in March and April in Cyprus. Its colours could be pink or white or a combination of those. It prefers an altitude between 225-925 metres, of the lower northern and eastern slopes of Troodos and on the Kyrenia range, on igneous rocks and pinewoods. Orchis anatolica can reach up to 40 centimetres tall, but it's usually seen reaching around half of it.