Traunsteinera globosa

Traunsteinera globosa
Traunsteinera globosa near the Grand Ballon in the Vosges of southern France.
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Embryophytes
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Genus: Traunsteinera
Species:
T. globosa
Binomial name
Traunsteinera globosa
Synonyms[1]
  • Nigritella globosa (L.) Rchb.
  • Orchis globosa L.
  • Orchites globosus (L.) Schur

Traunsteinera globosa, commonly known as the globe orchid, is a species of flowering plant in the orchid family (Orchidaceae).

Description

Traunsteinera globosa is a slender, tall orchid growing to heights of 20 to 70 cm. Spikes bear a single, pyramidal or globular, very dense inflorescence and multiple lanceolate leaves. The flowers are pink, or very rarely white, with purple spots. The sepals and petals are around 6mm long and elongated, swelling toward the tip to form a spatula shape. The labellum is three-lobed, the middle lobe of which is sometimes toothed, the spur is shorter than the ovary, and the bracts around as long.[2][3]

Distribution and habitat

Traunsteinera globosa is found in full sun in mountain meadows or light woodland on calcareous to neutral soils at heights of 500 to 3000 m above sea level, though usually in excess of 1500 m.

It is found in the mountains of Central and Southern Europe from southern France to Romania, Crimea, and the Caucasus.[4]

Ecology

Taunsteinera globosa is pollinated by insects such as flies, bees, and beetles. It employs a tactic of food-deceptive mimicry, resembling the flowers of Trifolium pratense and Knautia species in order to attract their pollinators despite offering no reward. T. globosa actively benefits from greater populations of co-flowering species as it attracts potential pollinators.[5][6]

References

  1. ↑ "Traunsteinera globosa (L.) Rchb. | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2026-06-13.
  2. ↑ Kühn, Rolf; Pedersen, Henrik Ærenlund; Cribb, Phillip (2024). Field Guide to the Orchids of Europe and the Mediterranean (2nd ed.). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. ISBN 978-1-84246-819-7.
  3. ↑ Davies, Paul; Davies, Jenne; Huxley, Anthony (1983). Wild Orchids of Britain and Europe. Chatto & Windus. ISBN 0-7011-2642-6.
  4. ↑ "Traunsteinera globosa (L.) Rchb. | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2026-06-13.
  5. ↑ Juillet, N.; Gonzalez, M. A.; Page, P. A.; Gigord, L. D. B. (28 Feb 2007). "Pollination of the European food-deceptive Traunsteinera globosa (Orchidaceae): the importance of nectar-producing neighbouring plants". Plant Systematics and Evolution. 265 (1): 123–129. doi:10.1007/s00606-006-0507-9. hdl:20.500.11850/67653. ISSN 1615-6110.
  6. ↑ Jersáková, Jana; Spaethe, Johannes; Streinzer, Martin; Neumayer, Johann; Paulus, Hannes; Dötterl, Stefan; Steven D., Johnson (February 2016). "Does Traunsteinera globosa (the globe orchid) dupe its pollinators through generalized food deception or mimicry?". Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. 180 (2): 269–294.
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  • Orchids of Britain and Europe, Traunsteinera globosa