Σαλέπι, άγριο στην Πίνδο | Orchis mascula #botany #foraging #herbalmedicine #greece

Salep (known as "salepi" in Greek), growing wild in Pindus. Read more below.

Salep is a flour made from the tubers of the orchid genus Orchis (including species Orchis mascula and Orchis militaris). These tubers contain a nutritious, starchy polysaccharide called glucomannan. Salep flour is consumed in beverages and desserts 😍❤️

This orchid - Orchis mascula - is devoid of nectar and attracts pollinating insects (bees and wasps of the genera Apis, Bombus, Eucera, Andrena, Psithyrus and Xylocopa, and sometimes beetles) with the appearance of its flower which mimics other species.

Orchids in the genus Orchis form mycorrhizal partnerships mainly with fungi in the family Tulasnellaceae. It has a distinctive spotted foliage. 
 
Belongs to  Orchidaceae botanical family.

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