The time of early purples or God's fist
Photos: Arne Ader
Translation: Liis
Early Purple Orchid
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Early purple orchid |
Jumalakäpp, "God's fist" |
Flowering early purple orchids are not very common; mostly they are found in the western part of the mainland and particularly on the western islands. The lower lip of its flower is broader, like an apron, compared to the more common military orchid. The long lancet-like leaves have small purple-coloured streaks or spots. There are more of these in the lower part of the plant, sometimes also on the stem of the plant that is quite sturdy. Maybe that is the reason for its Latin name – the masculine orchid. It grows on drier meadows, wooded meadows, in sparse alvar forests and oak forests; it likes a light position and calcareous soil.
Jumalakäpp, ”God’s fist”, and kuradikäpp, ”Devil’s fist”, are two widely spread folk names, but generally it is not clear which plant is called what. So nearly all orchids with reddish-violet flowers have been called ”God’s fist” or ”Devil’s fist” locally in one place or another. ”Devil’s fist”, kuradikäpp, is not an officially accepted name; there is just the ”Devil’s finger fist”, kuradi-sõrmkäpp, (Dactylorhiza maculata; spotted orchid) that occurs sparsely in paludified forests, bog edges and, more rarely, wet meadows.
Early Purple Orchid
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