Nigritella nigra subsp. rhellicani (Teppner & E. Klein) H. Baumann, Künkele & R. Lorenz
Gymnadenia rhellicani (common name: dark vanilla orchid[2] or black vanilla orchid[3][4]) is a European species of orchid.
Description
Gymnadenia rhellicani grows 5–22 centimetres (2.0–8.7 in) high, with a dense, globose to cylindrical inflorescence of red-brown to chocolate-brown flowers with a chocolate-like aroma.[5] Some plants, especially in the south of the species' range have noticeably paler flowers.[5]
Distribution
Gymnadenia rhellicani grows in the Alps and Carpathians at elevations of 1,000–2,800 metres (3,300–9,200 ft).[1]
Taxonomy
The species was described as a distinct species in 1990 by Herwig Teppner and Erich Klein, who noted that it was diploid and reproduced sexually, in contrast to the rest of the wider Gymnadenia nigra group, which is polyploid and apomictic.[5] At the time, all these taxa were in the genus Nigritella, but that was later subsumed into Gymnadenia. The specific epithet rhellicanus commemorates Johannes Rhellicanus, who made the earliest attributed description of the species in 1536.[5] Rhellicanus himself called the plant Christimanus (Latin: Christi manus 'Christ's hand').[6][7]: 222
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