Pyramidal orchid.

At a glance

Care level

Difficult

Plant type

Terrestrial orchid

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 7 to 14 days

Mature size

12 to 24 inches

Growth rate

Slow

Hardiness

USDA 6 to 9

Bloom time

Late spring to mid summer

Care

This orchid requires specific soil conditions and is best left in its natural habitat rather than cultivated indoors. Watch for signs of wilting or yellowing leaves which often indicate poor drainage or incorrect soil pH. It relies on a symbiotic relationship with soil fungi to thrive.

Watering

Keep the soil on the dry side and very free draining. Water sparingly in dry spells while the plant is in leaf, and not at all while it is dormant after flowering.

Feeding

Fertilizing is generally unnecessary for this species in its natural environment.

Pruning

Remove dead flower stalks after the seeds have dispersed.

Repotting

Repotting is rarely needed and can disturb the delicate fungal network.

Soil

Chalky or limestone based soil

Soil pH

Alkaline

Temperature

-15 to 30°C

Humidity

40 to 70%

Safety

People

There is no evidence of significant toxicity, but it is not intended for human consumption.

Children

The plant is not known to be dangerous to children, but it should not be ingested.

Edibility

This plant is not considered edible and should not be consumed.

How to identify it

• Dense pyramidal flower spikes
• Bright pink to purple petals
• Narrow lance shaped leaves
• Distinctive three lobed lip

Height

0.2 to 0.6m

Spread

0.1 to 0.2m

Leaves

green, deciduous

Flowers

pink, magenta, white, 0.5 to 1cm

Problems to watch for

• Slugs and SnailsCommon
• Botrytis BlightUncommon
• Root RotUncommon
• RustRare

Growing it

Propagation

seed

When to plant

autumn, spring

Focus on maintaining a low nutrient, chalky soil environment to support these delicate orchids.

Grows well with

• Common Knapweed · It shares similar habitat preferences in open, sunny grasslands.
• Yellow Rattle · It helps keep vigorous grasses in check, allowing the orchid space to grow.

Similar species

• Fragrant Orchid · It has a similar growth habit and prefers comparable limestone habitats.

Science

Family

Orchidaceae

Genus

Anacamptis

Order

Asparagales

Class

Liliopsida

Native range

Europe, Mediterranean, and parts of Western Asia.

Conservation

It is protected in some regions and should never be collected from the wild.

It survives in nutrient poor grasslands by forming a complex underground partnership with specific soil fungi.

Value to wildlife

nectar source

Pollinators

butterflies, moths

Uses

ornamental, wildflower meadows

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Can I grow this in a pot?

It is very difficult to maintain in containers due to its specific soil and fungal requirements.

Why is my plant disappearing?

This orchid is deciduous and naturally goes dormant after flowering, disappearing underground until the next season.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Anacamptis comes from the Greek word for bent, referring to the pollinia, while the species name pyramidalis describes the flower spike shape.

Good to know

• The flowers are arranged in a distinct pyramid shape.
• It thrives in chalky or limestone soils.
• The plant relies on a symbiotic relationship with mycorrhizal fungi in the soil.