Family: cuckoo orchids (Orchidaceae)
Flowering time: April–May
Size: 20–50 cm
Habitat: dry to semi-dry meadows, bright forests and forest edges
With the exception of the honey lip, all the petals of the helmeted cuckoo orchid (Orchis militaris) form the helmet, which gave this species its Slovenian name. The petals forming the helmet are externally gray-pink, their inner side is adorned with scarlet veins. The narrow honey lip is four-lobed and in outline resembles a human. From here its scientific name originates, since the Latin term miles means soldier. The middle of the honey lip is lighter and sprinkled with clusters of scarlet hairs. Its light green basal leaves form a rosette. It thrives on dry habitats scattered throughout Slovenia.
In Slovenia it is protected and listed on the Red List of endangered plant species.
