The wonderful diversity of nature in the mystical land of Lake Cerknica can be experienced at every turn... The wet soil on the plain of the intermittent lake, dry meadows on the slopes of hills, and vast forests ruled by a family of wolves are just a handful of the diverse habitats found in this very special piece of the world – each of them home to living creatures that have no place under the sun elsewhere. The richness of the living world in this area is also hinted at by the ever-increasing number of species sightings that have not yet been seen here, despite the fact that Lake Cerknica has been known since ancient times.
A visit to the wet meadows and low marshes, beech-fir forests, and dry grassy slopes of Notranjska Park is a special treat for nature and plant lovers, because with a little persistence and a bit of luck, you can find a whole range of plants in a relatively small area that have already disappeared from other areas... unfortunately, too often due to human interference in the natural environment. Almost a third of all plant species recorded by botanists in Slovenia thrive in our protected area, so presenting this diversity with just a few examples is a tough nut to crack.
Let's try to present a few species of one genus of orchids that thrive here. Orchids, or cuckoo flowers, are one of the most diverse plant families, reaching their greatest diversity in the tropical regions of the Earth, but several dozen species of these interesting plants also live in our region. The luxuriously flowering varieties of tropical species adorn our homes, the fermented fruits of one of them are used in the preparation of desserts, and for conservationists, representatives of this family are important because they indicate preserved habitats and a well-functioning ecosystem, in which all the pieces of the mosaic form a stunning whole. Orchids thrive in Slovenia, and we classify them into 27 genera, one of which is the marsh orchid (Epipactis).
If you take a walk through Notranjska Park in the height of summer, you may encounter several species belonging to this genus. Despite the genus name, only one species – the marsh helleborine (Epipactis palustris) – is associated with moist to wet soil, while most species have adapted to life in forests and cannot survive outside their shelter.
The first of these to bloom is the small-leaved helleborine (Epipactis microphylla), which is extremely difficult to spot in the vast forest due to its small size. During the long hot days of July and August, Greuter’s helleborine (Epipactis greuteri), narrow-lipped helleborine (Epipactis leptochila), and violet helleborine (Epipactis purpurata) orchids also bloom in hidden places in the forests of Notranjska. All of the above-mentioned forest marsh orchids are classified as rare species on the Slovenian red list of endangered species. Mueller's helleborine (Epipactis muelleri) is at home in light forests and small meadows near them, while the most unusual of the marsh orchids – the dark-red helleborine (Epipactis atrorubens) – has completely "betrayed" its genus name, as it is most suited to dry and light habitats such as quarries and rocky grassy slopes.
Several other species from the marsh orchid genus thrive in Notranjska Park – a genus known for the difficulty of identifying its species, as the different species are quite similar to each other, while individuals of the same species are quite different ... but we will introduce these on another occasion.
Finally, I would like to remind you that all species of the orchid family are protected in Slovenia and it is forbidden to remove them from nature or damage them intentionally. Furthermore, the best place to encounter them is in their natural habitat.
The implementation of extensive nature conservation projects exceeds the financial capacity of the local community, therefore Notranjska Park regularly applies for projects with the possibility of co-financing by the European Union.
The implementation of large-scale conservation projects exceeds the financial capabilities of the local community, therefore Notranjska Park regularly applies for projects with the possibility of co-financing from the European Union.
