12 Colorful Photos of Orchids for Spring

Take a look at these beautiful, incredibly distinct flowers.

ByBecky Little
March 26, 2016
4 min read
serapias lingua

You can probably guess from this picture where tongue orchids (Serapias lingua) get their name. They can be found around the Mediterranean in southern Europe and North Africa.

Photograph by Alberto Sobrino and Jorge Garrido Montejano
anacamptis papilionacea

Pink butterfly orchids (Anacamptis papilionacea) are a Mediterranean species, and one of several types of butterfly orchids.

Photograph by Alberto Sobrino and Jorge Garrido Montejano

Orchids are one popular flower. They’re the subject of a best-selling book, a society of enthusiasts, and even a movie (well, sort of). In 2013, they were the best-selling potted plant in the United States, in part because the mass-production of the historically expensive flower has made them cheaper to buy.

But just because they’ve gone mainstream doesn’t mean they’re not still beautiful. Here’s a look at some of the loveliest orchids, just in time for spring.

orchis mascula

The early purple orchid (Orchis mascula) is found in many regions. As its name suggests, it’s one of the earliest to bloom.

Photograph by Alberto Sobrino and Jorge Garrido Montejano
cephalanthera damasonium

The white helleborine (Cephalanthera damasonium) is an individual. Unlike most flowers, it likes to stay in the shade.

Photograph by Alberto Sobrino and Jorge Garrido Montejano
epipactis palustris

Marsh helleborines (Epipactis palustris) are a widespread species that usually bloom in the summer.

Photograph by Alberto Sobrino and Jorge Garrido Montejano
orchis ustulata

Burnt orchids (Orchis ustulata) are native to Europe, and look as though their tips were grilled over a flame.

Photograph by Alberto Sobrino and Jorge Garrido Montejano
platanthera algeriensis

Platanthera algeriensis can be found in the Mediterranean region and North Africa.

Photograph by Alberto Sobrino and Jorge Garrido Montejano
orchis italica

The naked man orchid (Orchis italica) is obviously not very shy. Look closely at the flowers of this Mediterranean plant and you’ll see what look like tiny naked men.

Photograph by Alberto Sobrino and Jorge Garrido Montejano
dactylorhiza sambucina

Elder-flowered orchids (Dactylorhiza sambucina), a European plant, are actually very nutritious to eat.

Photograph by Alberto Sobrino and Jorge Garrido Montejano
orchis cazorlensis

Orchis cazorlensis is a Spanish flower named for the Sierra de Cazorla mountains in which it was discovered.

Photograph by Alberto Sobrino and Jorge Garrido Montejano
orchis fragrans

The Pollini (Orchis fragrans) is found in France and on Mediterranean islands.

Photograph by Alberto Sobrino and Jorge Garrido Montejano
cephalanthera rubra

Red helleborines (Cephalanthera rubra) grow in Europe.

Photograph by Alberto Sobrino and Jorge Garrido Montejano

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These photos were originally published in the Spanish edition of National Geographic magazine.

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