In all languages, the word "orchid" is a symbol of a beautiful, unique, rare and expensive flower. These rare and exquisite wildflowers are very capricious and only grow in a specific natural environment.
68 species of wild orchids of 25 genera are found in Bulgaria. The largest are the genus Salep (Orchis) - 17 species; Epipactis - 10 and Dactylorhiza - 8 species. However, unlike tropical orchids, the plants in Bulgaria are not epiphytes, ie. do not live attached to other organisms - on the bark, branches and trunks of trees, rocks, or certain types of mushrooms. The wild orchids in Bulgaria are only herbaceous, perennial plants.
34 species (50%) are included in the Red List of Bulgaria. Two of these: Liparis loeselii and Herminium monorchis are regionally extinct. 24 species are protected.
Most wild orchid species bloom between the months of April and June.
Medicinal properties and application of orchids:
Orchids have been used in traditional medicine in an attempt to treat many ailments.
Dried vanilla orchid seeds are put into products for aromatherapy and cosmetics as well as perfume production.
For healing purposes, the usable part of the plant is tubers.
Due to their rich content of mucilage, the tubers of the salp have a covering, softening and anti-inflammatory effect.
The mucous substance has the property of softening irritated mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and thus suppresses coughing and inflammation.
They are used in: upper airways, ulcers, colitis, poisonings of different origin.
The tuber, from which salep is prepared, should be harvested as the plant dies down after flowering and setting seed.
Photos were taken around the village Terziysko, Burgas Area in Bulgaria.
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