About Limodorum abortivum (L.) Sw.
Limodorum abortivum, commonly called violet limodore or violet bird's-nest orchid, is a myco-heterotrophic, achlorophyllous orchid species. It is native to mainland Europe, western Asia, and the Mediterranean region. This is a rhizomatous herbaceous plant that reaches up to 85 cm in height. It produces an inflorescence holding 10 to 20 violet flowers between April and June. Its leaves are reduced to scales. While this orchid contains photosynthetic pigments, the amount produced is not enough to support the adult plant's nutrition. The adult plant is thought to rely entirely on a mycoheterotrophic (parasitic) relationship with fungi, most commonly species from the family Russulaceae. The seeds of this species are among the largest produced by any orchid. Seedlings develop very slowly, and remain entirely underground for 8 to 10 years before they emerge to flower. Its typical Mediterranean habitat is open woodland composed of evergreen oak, pine, and chestnut growing on alkaline soil, at elevations ranging from sea level up to 1,300 metres.
