How to Grow Bird’s Nest Orchid

 

What does bird's-nest orchid mean? The botanical name of Bird’s nest orchid wildflowers is Neottia nidus-avis and they are very rare, interesting, rather odd-looking plants. The bird’s nest orchid’s plant growing conditions are primarily humus-rich, broad-leaved forests. The bird’s nest orchid’s plant is named for the mass of tangled roots, which resemble a bird’s nest. Continue reading to learn more about the bird’s nest orchid wildflowers.

  

Bird’s Nest Orchid wildflowers Growing Conditions

 The bird’s nest orchid plants contain almost no chlorophyll and they are unable to produce any energy from the sunlight. In order for the plant to survive, the orchid must depend on mushrooms throughout its entire lifecycle. The orchid’s roots are connected to the mushroom, which breaks down organic material into nutrition that sustains the orchid. Most scientists aren’t sure if the mushroom gets anything from the orchid in return, which means that the orchid may be a parasite. So, once again, what does bird's-nest orchid mean? If you were fortunate enough to stumble across the bird’s nest orchid plants, you would be surprised at its unusual appearance. Since the orchid lacks chlorophyll, it is unable to photosynthesize. The leafless stems, as well as the spiky blooms that appear in summer, are a pale, honey-like shade of brownish yellow. Although the bird’s nest orchid plants reaches heights of about fifteen inches (45.5 cm.), the neutral color makes the bird’s nest orchids difficult to spot. The bird’s nest orchids aren’t exactly pretty, and most people who have seen these wildflowers up close report that they emit a strong, sickly yet sweet, “dead animal” aroma. This makes the bird’s nest orchid wildflowers attractive – maybe not to humans, but to a variety of flies that pollinate the plant.

Furthermore, the bird’s nest orchid plants are found primarily in the deep shade of birch and yew forests. You won’t find the bird’s nest orchid plants in conifer woodland. The bird’s nest orchid wildflowers grow across most of Europe and parts of Asia, including Spain, Ireland, Finland, Turkey, Iran, Algeria, and even Siberia. The bird’s nest orchid wildflowers aren’t found in North or South America.