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Common Twayblade Wikimedia Commons
Orchidaceae

Common Twayblade

Neottia ovata

Hidden beauty.

Family
Orchidaceae
Genus
Neottia
Native to
Europe, Western Asia
Bloom season
Spring, Summer
Type
Perennial orchid
Height
20-60 cm
Sunlight
Partial shade to full shade
Soil
Moist, humus-rich
Water
Moderate
Hardiness
4-8
Lifespan
Perennial

Did you know

  • The name 'twayblade' means 'two blades,' referring to the pair of broad basal leaves.
  • It is one of the most common wild orchids in Europe, yet often overlooked due to its green color.
  • The flower has a unique mechanism that shoots a drop of glue onto visiting insects to attach pollen.
  • Common twayblade can grow in a wide range of habitats from woodlands to sand dunes.
  • A single plant can produce thousands of tiny seeds, each no bigger than a speck of dust.

Color meanings

0

Mystery

1

Subtlety

2

Patience

Uses

  • Woodland gardens
  • Native orchid conservation
  • Ecological studies