Gahns Meadows 19.5.2022

It´s time for this year´s visit of the meadows near Prigglitz and Gasteil (as pat of the Gahns mountain ridge) to admire the unbelievable diverity of flowers.

Kleewiese ("Clover meadow") near Gasteil. Thousands of mainly yellow flowrishing elder-flowered orchids (Dactylorhiza sambucina).

Elder-flowered orchids (Dactylorhiza sambucina) with mainly yellow and a few red exemplars.

A single exemplar of avery interesting orchid: a hybrid of a common spotted orchid (Dactylorhiza Fuchsii) and  broad-leaved marsh orchid (Dactylorhiza majalis), commonly called Dactylorhiza x braunii. Both orchid species are not growing today around this place, but the common spotted orchid in general is rather frequent in the area, and on the Kleewiese there exists a wet place with some of the broad-leaved marsh orchids about 100 m afar. Thanks to Norbert Griebl for help in this difficult identification.

Narcissus-flowered anemone (Anemone narcissiflora)

Narcissus-flowered anemone (Anemone narcissiflora)

Narcissus-flowered anemone (Anemone narcissiflora) and colombine (Aquilegia vulgaris)

Elder-flowered orchids (Dactylorhiza sambucina)

Elder-flowered orchid (Dactylorhiza sambucina)

The Gahnshaus meadow near Prigglitz doesn´t grow elder flowered orchids, but 7 more different orchid species.

Green winged orchid (Anacamptis morio)

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Green winged orchid (Anacamptis morio)

Green winged orchid (Anacamptis morio) is growing here in huge abundance and in many different colour variants.

Green winged orchid (Anacamptis morio)

Green winged orchid (Anacamptis morio)

A highlight of this meadow is the extremely rare military orchid (Orchis militaris) ...

 ... and the burnt orchid (Neotinea ustulata), both only in small areas within the meadow.

Burnt orchid (Neotinea ustulata)

Green winged orchid (Anacamptis morio)

A few exemplars of the lesser butterfly orchid (Platanthera bifolia).

Green winged orchid (Anacamptis morio)

Green winged orchid (Anacamptis morio), more and more variants. Thousands of this wonderful flower are growing here.

Green winged orchid (Anacamptis morio)

Green winged orchid (Anacamptis morio) and the view behind the meadow to the Rax massive.

Green winged orchid (Anacamptis morio)

Near a small water hole in the bog a few broad-leaved marsh orchids (Dactylorhiza majalis)

Common twayblade (Listera ovata)

Another place with military orchid (Orchis militaris) ...

 ... and, not far, Burnt orchids (Neotinea ustulata)

Narrow-leaved helleborine (Cephalanthera longifolia) close to the nearby forest.

View from the opposite end of the meadow to the Rax.

On the way back more variants of the Green winged orchid (Anacamptis morio).

Green winged orchid (Anacamptis morio)

Military orchid (Orchis militaris)

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