Family: Orchidaceae Genus: Anacamptis  

Species: Anacamptis laxiflora (Lam.) R.M.Bateman, Pridgeon & M.W.Chase

Common Name(s): lax-flowered orchid, loose-flowered orchid, marsh orchis, Jersey orchid

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Anacamptis laxiflora, or lax-flowered orchid, can be found in Portugal, Spain, Western France, Italy, on the Balkan coasts, and in Greece and Turkey. It is commonly found in wet grasslands and meadows with alkaline soil. The flowers are normally violet with a white spot at the base of the labellum.

Etymology

Anacamptis is derived from the Greek word “anakampto,” which means “to bend back” or “to bend upwards,” an allusion to the position of the pollenia (the sticky mass of pollen). Laxiflora is derived from the Latin word “laxi,” meaning “loose” (in the sense of “drooping” or “lax”), referring to the way the flowers hang off the stem.243

The name orchid was given by the Greeks as a description of the shape of the tuberous roots, with “orkhis” meaning testicle. Owing to this resemblance, orchids were said to be a powerful aphrodisiac.244

Traditional Medicine and Modern Science

While lax-flowered orchid is not widely found in traditional medicine, orchids in general have been used and studied more broadly. For example, orchids have been used in traditional medicine for treating coughs, colds, fevers, and digestive issues, while various compounds in orchids have been studied for their potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and antimicrobial properties. The dried tubers of certain orchid species were used during the heyday of the Ottoman Empire to make “salep,” a beverage believed to have aphrodisiac properties.245

Ecology

Like many orchids, the lax-flowered orchid relies on a symbiotic relationship with a specific mycorrhizal fungi for successful germination, growth, and survival in its natural habitat. Due to this important relationship, conservation efforts must focus on both the orchid and their associated fungal partners. Lax-flowered orchids are considered endangered due to threats from habitat loss, agricultural expansion, and over-collection.246