Arguably, the Ghost Orchid Epipogium aphyllum is the UK’s rarest orchid species. Until last year, it had not been convincingly recorded since 1987 but in an ironic turn of events it was both declared “extinct” and rediscovered during September 2009.

Throughout its UK history, the Ghost Orchid has been subject to similar disappearing acts and over its entire international range it can be sporadic in its appearances. There are a few reliable places where it can be found in decent numbers and the photographs here were taken at one such German site.

The Ghost Orchid lacks chlorophyll and depends for its nutrition on an association with ectomycchorizal fungi. Recent studies have revealed this to involve a specific interaction with species of Inocybe. In all probability, the orchid uses the fungus as a bridge to tap into the products of tree photosynthesis. With this unusual means of survival the Ghost orchid can disappear from view, continuing to grow underground and unseen. Its presence is sporadically revealed when conditions are right to allow the production of its flowering shoots.

This Ghost Orchid landscape achieved a first place in the 2007 Hardy Orchid Society photographic competition. It was published in the March 2010 issue of the Royal Horticultural Society’s “The Orchid Review”.

Ref: MN001

Location: Germany