The Military Orchid

(Firstly, a huge thanks to everyone who took the time to celebrate my twelfth blip anniversary. My journal is as it is because I live in one of the most beautiful parts of the world, I am very lucky and I never forget that.)


Back to the Military Orchid … In each flower the sepals and side petals are gathered together to form a pointed "helmet" which gives it its name. The « arms and legs » of the « soldier are underneath.

The following facts have been gleaned from the internet, I find them fascinating…

This orchid is just behind our house and is extremely rare and a protected species. In Britain they can be seen at the  Rex Graham nature reserve in Suffolk. 95% of the British specimens are there.

The military orchid (Orchis militaris) thrives on a few sections of the Swiss railway embankments. Embankments are important sites for rare plants, as they are not subject to agricultural use and neither herbicides nor fertilisers are used. That has a positive impact on plants like the military orchid which like hardy environments.

Unfortunately the popularity of saloop (a powder made from the tubers of these orchids) in Turkey, has led to a decline in the populations of wild orchids. It is not surprising when you know it takes from 1,000 to 4,000 tubers to make only a kilo of flour. It was recently made illegal to export true saloop. Merchants are now turning to Iran and Greece for their supplies. 

In England in the 18th and 19th centuries, saloop was also sold in place of tea and coffee which were much more expensive. It was also thought to be an aphrodisiac and a cure for syphilis! 

I am extremely privileged to have several specimens of these delicate orchids so close to home.