Barlia

Family Orchidaceae. Occurs in meadows or in open woodlands, predominantly in lowlands or on hills with dry or moderately moist alkaline soils. It grows throughout the Mediterranean, except for the southern Adriatic.

The genus Barlia occupies a very isolated position within the Orchidaceae. From a pair of underground tubers a robust stem grows up to 80 cm long, bearing 2-5 elongate-lanceolate leaves arranged in a rosette at its base. The inflorescence is dense, many-flowered, up to 23 cm long. Flower coloration includes whitish-pink, lilac, brownish-red and greenish shades. The labellum (lip) is three-lobed, with two teeth in the middle part. In contrast to the Canary Islands endemic Б. Метлезича (В. metlesicsiana), the labellum in is greenish and its lateral lobes are recurved. Flowers from January to May.