The wild orchids of France: a quiet treasure
Did you know that France is home to more than 160 species of wild orchids? A short journey through the most striking of them.
When orchids are mentioned, most people picture lush tropical varieties from the florist. And yet, under our climate live orchids of incomparable delicacy: Ophrys, Orchis, Himantoglossum, Cephalanthera…
France counts more than 160 species of wild orchids — a remarkable diversity that spans calcareous meadows, marshes, woodlands and mountains.
Masters of deception
These small flowers have evolved astonishing strategies. The bee orchid (Ophrys apifera) imitates the appearance and scent of a female insect to deceive pollinators; others bloom only after years underground, nourished by symbiotic fungi.
Fragile beauties
Painting them is also a way of protecting them — drawing attention to fragile species, often threatened by the disappearance of calcareous meadows and open woodlands.
Each painting in this series is the result of an encounter, a walk in the mountains or along the edge of a forest, sketchbook and watercolour box in the bag.
- Ophrys apifera — the bee orchid, pollinated by deception
- Orchis purpurea — the lady orchid, of deep woods and edges
- Himantoglossum hircinum — the lizard orchid, with its extraordinary coiled lip
Soria Givord
Botanical painter
