Spherical Traunsteinera

Family Orchidaceae. Spherical Traunsteinera occurs only in the Caucasus, and outside Russia — in Asia Minor. It grows on high-mountain alpine and subalpine meadows and forest glades. Usually found in small groups on slopes of various exposures and steepness (from 5 to 30°). Not demanding with respect to soil reaction, but prefers slightly acidic.

Plant with blunt, entire, ovoid tubers. Stem 25-65 cm high, at the base with 2 blunt membranous sheaths, above with 2-3 erect or slightly spreading leaves. Leaves narrowly lanceolate, 5-13 cm long, 0.6-2 cm wide, abruptly narrowed to a short acuminate tip, at the base narrowed into long closed sheaths. Inflorescence very dense, many-flowered, pyramidal or ovoid-globose, 1.5-4.5 cm long and 1.7-3.2 cm wide. Bracts green, lanceolate, long-acuminate, usually equal to the ovary or slightly shorter. Flowers white, lip above with purple spots. Outer perianth segments (tepals) ovoid-lanceolate, long-acuminate and at the tip with a spatulate slightly thickened expansion, with 3 veins, 7-8 mm long. Inner segments with 3-5 veins, ovoid, acuminate, slightly shorter than the outer ones. Lip broad at the base, three-lobed, with lateral lobes rhombic, the median lobe oblong, at the tip narrowed into a linear tongue-like prolongation. Spur less than half the length of the ovary, short, thin, conical, obtuse or obtusely acuminate. Flowers in June-July.