Neottia ovata

Neottia ovata, commonly known as the Common Twayblade, is a small and delicate orchid species native to Europe and Asia. It typically thrives in damp woodland areas, often in the shade of trees or shrubs. The plant features a single stem that can grow up to 30 cm tall, bearing small greenish-yellow flowers arranged in a loose spike at the top. The leaves of Neottia ovata are oval-shaped and grow alternately along the stem. They are dark green with prominent veins running through them. The plant produces its flowers from May to July, with each flower having three sepals and three petals. The Common Twayblade is an important food source for many insects, such as bees, butterflies, moths, and flies, which pollinate its flowers during their visits for nectar or pollen collection. Traditionally, Neottia ovata has been used for medicinal purposes, such as treating digestive disorders like diarrhea or dysentery, due to the anti-inflammatory properties found in its roots. Overall, Neottia ovata is an interesting plant species due to its unique appearance, which distinguishes it from other orchids found in Europe and Asia. Additionally, it provides important ecological benefits through pollination services carried out by insects during the blooming season.

Characteristics

Plant Type

Herb

Life Cycle

Perennial

Genus

Neottia

Family

Orchidaceae

Hardiness Zone

2

Mature Height

20 cm to 61 cm

Mature Spread

10 cm to 30 cm

Leaf Color

Green

Leaf Type

Deciduous

Flower Color

Yellow, Green

Flower Size

1.02 cm to 2.03 cm

Bloom Time

Late spring, Early summer

Planting Time

Spring, Summer

Harvest Time

Mid summer, Late summer

Native Area

Turkey, Sweden, India, Austria, Slovakia, Montenegro, Pakistan, Slovenia, Croatia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Russia, Germany, Iceland, Estonia, Romania, Latvia, Belgium, Moldova, Netherlands, Nepal, France, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Bangladesh, Poland, Armenia, Greece, Ukraine, Serbia, Lithuania, Norway, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Iran, Albania, Ireland, United Kingdom, Hungary, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan

Tags (5)

Common Names (8)