View source for Anacamptis pyramidalis

{{short description|Species of plant}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = AnacamptisPyramidalis.jpg
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| genus = Anacamptis
| species = pyramidalis
| authority = ([[Carl Linnaeus|L.]]) [[Louis Claude Richard|Rich.]]
| synonyms = * ''Anacamptis condensata'' <small>Koch</small>
* ''Orchis appendiculata'' <small>Stokes</small>
* ''Orchis bicornis'' <small>Gilib.</small>
* ''Orchis condensata'' <small>Desf.</small>
}}

'''''Anacamptis pyramidalis''''', the '''pyramidal orchid''',<ref name=BSBI07>{{BSBI 2007 |access-date=2014-10-17}}</ref> is a [[perennial plant|perennial]] [[herbaceous plant]] belonging to the genus ''[[Anacamptis]]'' of the family [[Orchidaceae]]. The scientific name ''Anacamptis'' derives from Greek ανακάμτειν 'anakamptein' meaning 'bend forward', while the Latin name ''pyramidalis'' refers to the pyramidal form of the [[inflorescence]].

== Description ==
[[File:Fertilisation of Orchids figure 4.jpg|thumb|upright=0.86|left|[[Charles Darwin]]'s book ''[[Fertilisation of Orchids]]'' included an illustration of the head of a moth with its [[proboscis]] laden with several pairs of [[Pollinium|pollinia]] from ''Orchis pyramidalis'']]
This hardy plant reaches on average {{convert|10|-|25|cm|in}} of height, with a maximum of {{convert|60|cm|in}}. The stem is erect and unbranched. The basal leaves are linear-lanceolate with parallel venation, up to {{convert|25|cm}} long, the cauline ones are shorter and barely visible on the stem. The arrangement of [[Hermaphrodite|hermaphroditic]] flowers in a compact pyramidal shape is very distinctive and gives the orchid its common name. The colour of the [[flower]] varies from pink to purple, or rarely white, and the scent is described as "foxy".  The flowers have six [[tepal]]s, being three small [[sepal]]s and three [[petal]]s. Two small [[petal]]s are on the sides, while the third and lower ([[Labellum (botany)|labellum]])  is large and trilobate. At the back of the flower there is a tubular spur of about {{convert|1.5|cm|in}} long, while the [[Labellum (botany)|labellum]] bears two lateral small flaps. The flowering period extends from April through July.

== Habitat and distribution ==

''Anacamptis pyramidalis'' requires a sunny spot on diverse soils: loamy or clay. It can even grow on very [[alkaline]] soil. It can be found on meadows, in [[grassland]], sand dunes, [[Maquis shrubland|maquis]] as well as dry and well exposed slopes, at an altitude of {{convert|0|-|1600|m|round=50||disp=x| or more (| approx.) }} above sea level.<ref>[http://www.pakbs.org/pjbot/PDFs/44(SI1)/20.pdf Pakistan Journal of Botany - Studies on the morphology, anatomy and ecology of Anacamptis pyramidalis (L.) in Turkey]</ref><ref>[https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Anacamptis+pyramidalis Plants for a Future - Anacamptis pyramidalis]</ref>

In the UK, ''Anacamptis pyramidalis'' is a very successful coloniser of disturbed soil, and can grow in a wide variety of locations, including [[road verge]]s, [[reservoir]]s, [[quarry|quarries]] and [[airfield]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/pyramidal-orchid |title=Plant Life - Pyramidal Orchid |access-date=2018-11-08 |archive-date=2018-06-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612010825/http://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/pyramidal-orchid |url-status=dead }}</ref>

This orchid is native to southwestern [[Eurasia]], from western [[Europe]] through the [[Mediterranean]] region eastwards to [[Iran]]. In [[Germany]], it is rare and was declared [[Orchid of the Year]] in 1990 to heighten awareness of this plant. 
This orchid is especially common on the [[Isle of Wight]] in the South of [[England]], and was designated the [[County flowers of the United Kingdom|county plant]] in 2008. On the Isle of Wight, it favours growth in chalky or sandstone-rich soil,<ref>{{cite web |title=Pyramidal orchid |url=https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/pyramidal-orchid#:~:text=Pyramidal%20orchid%20Anacamptis%20pyramidalis&text=The%20pyramidal%20orchid%20was%20chosen,soil%20in%20order%20to%20bloom. |website=Plantlife |access-date=17 June 2020 |language=en}}</ref> and thus can easily be found on the [[Downland]] and cliffs to the west and south of the island.<ref>{{cite web |title=Isle of Wight Downs IPA |url=https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/nature-reserves-important-plant-areas/important-plant-areas/isle-wight-downs |website=Plantlife |access-date=26 June 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.iow.gov.uk/azservices/documents/2782-FE8-IW-Biodiversity-Action-Plan.pdf |title=Isle of Wight Biodiversity Action Plan, Maritime Cliffs and Slopes Habitat Action Plan  |publisher=iow.gov.uk |access-date=26 June 2020 |date=December 2007}}</ref>

== Ecology ==
The flowers are pollinated by [[Butterfly|butterflies]] and [[moth]]s. To ensure the fertilization, their morphology is well adapted to the proboscis of [[Lepidoptera]], especially ''[[Euphydryas]]'', ''[[Melanargia]]'', ''[[Melitaea]]'', ''[[Pieris (butterfly)|Pieris]]'' and ''[[Zygaena]]'' species. The mechanism by which its pairs of [[pollinium|pollinia]] attach themselves to an insect's [[proboscis]] was discovered by [[Charles Darwin]] and described in his book on the ''[[Fertilisation of Orchids]]''.<ref name=orchids24>{{harvnb|Darwin|1862|pp=[http://darwin-online.org.uk/content/frameset?viewtype=text&itemID=F800&pageseq=35 20–24], [http://darwin-online.org.uk/content/frameset?viewtype=side&itemID=F800&pageseq=52 37]}}</ref>

''Anacamptis pyramidalis'' has been suggested to form [[mycorrhizal fungi|mycorrhizal]] relationships with ''[[Rhizoctonia]]'', ''[[Fusarium]]'' and ''Papulaspora'' species.<ref>[https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Arzu_Cig/publication/327362280_In_vitro_symbiotic_germination_potentials_of_some_Anacamptis_Dactylorhiza_Orchis_and_Ophrys_terrestrial_orchid_species/links/5b8beee0299bf1d5a7391708/In-vitro-symbiotic-germination-potentials-of-some-Anacamptis-Dactylorhiza-Orchis-and-Ophrys-terrestrial-orchid-species.pdf Applied ecology and environmental research - In Vitro Symbiotic Germination Potentials of Some Anacamptis, Dactylorhiza, Orchis and Ophrys Terrestrial Orchid Species]</ref><ref>[http://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/botany/abstract.htm?id=10547 Turkish Journal of Botany - Diversity of endophytic fungi from various Aegean and Mediterranean orchids (saleps)]</ref>

==Gallery==
{|
|[[File:Anacamptis pyramidalis 3.jpg|thumb|140px|left|Inflorescences of ''Anacamptis pyramidalis'']]
||[[File:Orchidaceae - Anacamptis pyramidalis-4.JPG|thumb|140px|left|Plants of ''Anacamptis pyramidalis'']]
||[[File:Orchidaceae - Anacamptis pyramidalis-2.JPG|thumb|140px|left|Inflorescences of ''Anacamptis pyramidalis'']]
||[[File:Orchidaceae - Anacamptis pyramidalis-3.JPG|thumb|140px|left|Close-up on inflorescence of ''Anacamptis pyramidalis'']]
||[[File:Orchidaceae - Anacamptis pyramidalis-5.JPG|thumb|140px|left|Close-up on a flower of ''Anacamptis pyramidalis'']]
||[[File:Orchidaceae - Anacamptis pyramidalis.JPG|thumb|140px|left|Leaf of ''Anacamptis pyramidalis'']]
|}

==Varieties==
There are some notable [[variety (botany)|varieties]], which are sometimes treated as [[subspecies]] &ndash; and as they seem to be limited to certain regions, this may be correct:{{citation needed|date=February 2015}}

* ''Anacamptis pyramidalis'' var. ''tanayensis'' <small>(Chenevard) Soó in Keller</small> &ndash; Tanay Pyramidal Orchid - Flowers darker and smaller. [[Fribourg (canton)|Fribourg]] and [[Valais]] cantons ([[Switzerland]]).
* ''Anacamptis pyramidalis'' var. ''urvilleana'' <small>(Sommier & Caruana Gatto) Schlechter</small> &ndash; Maltese Pyramidal Orchid, an endemic orchid from [[Malta]] with smaller and paler flowers flowering four–six weeks before ''Anacamptis pyramidalis''.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Mifsud|first=Stephen|year=2016|title=Taxonomic notes on Anacamptis pyramidalis var. urvilleana (Orchidaceae), a good endemic orchid from Malta.|journal=Journal Europäischer Orchideen|volume=48 |issue=1|pages=19–28}}</ref>
* ''Anacamptis pyramidalis'' var. ''sanguinea'' <small>(Druce) Kreutz</small> &ndash; Western Irish Pyramidal Orchid. -[[Inflorescence]] rounder, plant smaller overall. [[County Galway]] to [[County Kerry]] ([[Ireland]])

The variety ''alba'' can be found anywhere in the Pyramidal Orchid's range; its flowers are white.

==Medicinal uses==
{{more citations needed|date=June 2020}}
The dried and ground tuber (from various species of ''Orchis'' and ''Anacamptis'') can be made into a fine white powder, called [[salep]]. This is a very nutritious sweet starchlike substance. It is used in drinks, cereals and in making bread. In Turkey it is used in ice-creams.<ref>Eng Soon Teoh {{google books|iEGjDwAAQBAJ|Orchids as Aphrodisiac, Medicine or Food (2019)|page=46}}</ref> It was also used medicinally in diets for children and convalescents.

== Culture ==
The pyramidal orchid was voted the [[County flowers of the United Kingdom|County flower]] of the [[Isle of Wight]] in 2002 following a poll by the wild flora conservation charity [[Plantlife]].<ref>Plantlife website [http://www.plantlife.org.uk/wild_plants/county_flowers/ ''County Flowers page''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150430170312/http://www.plantlife.org.uk/wild_plants/county_flowers/ |date=2015-04-30 }}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
*{{Citation
 | last =Darwin	
 | first = Charles
 | year =1862
 | title =On the various contrivances by which British and foreign orchids are fertilised by insects, and on the good effects of intercrossing
 | publication-place = London
 | publisher = John Murray
 | url =http://darwin-online.org.uk/content/frameset?viewtype=text&itemID=F800&pageseq=1
 | access-date =2009-07-30 }}

== External links ==
* {{Commons-inline}}
* {{Wikispecies-inline|Anacamptis pyramidalis|pyramidal orchid ''(Anacamptis pyramidalis)''}}
* {{EOL}}
* [http://linnaeus.nrm.se/flora/mono/orchida/anaca/anacpyrv.jpg  Den virtuella floran - Distribution]
* [http://www.maltawildplants.com/ORCH/Anacamptis_pyramidalis.php Comprehensive profile for ''Anacamptis pyramidalis'' from the website MaltaWildPlants.com]
* [https://www.biolib.cz/en/taxon/id42168/ Biolib]

{{OrchidsYearDE}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q158118}}

[[Category:Anacamptis|pyramidalis]]
[[Category:Orchids of Lebanon]]
[[Category:Orchids of Europe]]
[[Category:Flora of Germany]]
[[Category:Plants described in 1753]]
[[Category:Botanical taxa named by Carl Linnaeus]]
[[Category:Flora of Malta]]