Carmel presents us with flowers in all seasons.
In this column we will always present one of the Carmel flowers, at the same time as it appears in the field, and you will be invited to visit it in one of the places where it blooms.
Butterfly orchid
The butterfly orchid is a low, very common orchid, common in most of the Mediterranean part of the country. It is the most common of the orchid species growing in the country. A geophyte (*) with a testicle-like tuber and a single inflorescence stalk. Like most orchid species, it is also a "nectar cheater", with a spur-like spur at the base of the flower that is empty of nectar and serves in other flowers as a reservoir for nectar.
Blooms from February to April. In sparse inflorescences, 6–20 flowers per inflorescence, the flowering process is regular: from the bottom upwards over time. The flowers are pink-purple, with veins and spots of the same color but in a darker shade. Pollinated by various bees.
The tuber is an annual. It stores food for one year of flowering. At the same time, a new tuber will grow next to it, and on it the buds of the next year's shoot. The tubers of various orchid species produce a floury powder that is used to prepare a pudding-like dish known by its Arabic name, sahleb.
(*) An underground storage organ that accumulates materials and water that enable its renewal.
ID
| Family | Orchids. |
| root: | An annual tuber that fills up for the next growth. |
| height: | 25-15 cm. |
| Leaves: | At the base of the plant is a rosette of elliptical, shiny leaves that clasp the lower part of the stem. |
| stalk: | A leafless inflorescence peduncle bearing 20-6 flowers. |
| rash: | At the end of winter and the beginning of spring, from February to April. |
| Flowers: | Their color ranges from pink, purple, and crimson. Each flower has 6 bracts, with the inner one being wider and serving as a "landing pad" for pollinators. The bracts are gathered like a hat above the sepal, which is decorated with purple lines and dots on a light lilac background. |
| The structure of the flower: | Purple flowers arranged in an elongated inflorescence at the top of the stem. |
| The fruit: | No information is provided about the fruit. |
| smell: | There is no special smell. |
| nectar: | Lacking nectar, insects are attracted to the flower due to its striking colors. |
| uses: | Used as an ornamental plant. |
| Distribution in Israel: | In the Mediterranean region, it grows in the vicinity of shrubs and woodland in well-lit areas. |
A place to meet the flower of the week
A secondary entrance to the Forty Grove is about 600 meters southwest on Highway 672 from the main entrance to Carmel Park.
- Drive on road 672 from the university towards Usafia.
- Exit left (towards northeast) onto Kurkar Road from Route 672, about 600 meters southwest of the main entrance to Carmel Park.
- Continue on the kurkar path for about 50 meters until the path is blocked by giant sacks.
- Get out of the car and continue on foot for about 400 meters until the path is blocked by sandbags. Continue on the footpath that descends to the right to the Forty Grove. Continue from the Forty Grove on a narrow footpath heading southwest about 100 meters before the water well at the end of the path. After passing a huge oak tree growing in the center of the path, look for the butterfly orchid in an open field on the left side of the path.
If you go to visit the flower with children, you can tell them the legend of the butterfly orchid.
The Legend of the Butterfly Orchid
Once upon a time, in a hidden and magical valley between green mountains, a unique flower grew – a butterfly orchid. Its petals looked like butterfly wings, and its scent was so delicate that the wind carried it everywhere.
One day, a little fairy named Lily came to the valley. Lily loved flowers, but she had never seen an orchid like this. She leaned over to it and whispered, "You beautiful flower, why do you look like a butterfly?"
The orchid smiled (because in the magical valley, even the flowers knew how to smile) and replied in a gentle voice: "I was once a real butterfly, free and happy, until one day I noticed a sad little girl. She had lost her way in the forest, and I wanted to help her. I hovered over her, trying to guide her to the path, but the sun was setting quickly, and the wind was blowing hard. I knew that if I did nothing, she would be left alone in the cold night."
Lily listened curiously, and the orchid continued: "I turned to the Queen of the Forest and asked her to turn me into a shining light that would lead the girl home. The Queen listened to my request and turned me into a flower – a flower that would shine with a soft light and guide the lost. Thus the girl found her way back home, but I stayed here, watching over everyone who needed help."
Lily's eyes sparkled with excitement. She realized that sometimes, even a small creature can do a great act of kindness. Since then, every time the village children walked in the valley and saw the butterfly orchid flowers, they remembered the story of the brave butterfly, who turned into a flower to help others.
And since then, it is said that anyone who approaches the orchid flower and listens carefully can hear from within it the gentle whisper of a butterfly….
A lovely section.
Is the Little Switzerland trail open? Last year, many areas were blocked for military reasons.
How beautiful. My friend, Danny Katz. Happy Purim. Happy and blessed Shabbat.
1. The plant is protected and should not be picked, neither for decoration nor to prepare an orchid.
2. Put 💓 The rest of the route is closed due to radiation
What a beautiful and moving fairy tale….🥰…
Thanks for the article…💐…