Nigritella

Nigritella Rich., 1817 is a genus of plants belonging to the family of monocots Spermatophytes Orchidaceae, looking small herbaceous perennial with a typical inflorescence sub-conical.

Description

The morphological data relate mainly to European species and in particular those spontaneous Italian. They are herbaceous plants are not very high (up to 30 cm). The organic form is predominantly geophytes bulbous (G bulb), which are perennial plants that bring the buds in place underground.

During the opposing no body aircraft and the gems are found in bodies of groundwater are called bulbs or tubers, facilities subject to annually produce new stems, leaves and flowers. Are terrestrial orchids as opposed to other species, are "epiphytes", ie not living at the expense of other plants of major proportions.

Roots

The roots are sorted by type and minor bulbs, and are positioned at the top of the bulbs.


Leaves

* Basal leaves: few (maximum fifteen) and have developed normally linear-graminiforme.
* Leaves Caulino: are gradually reduced to scales licenses like bracts.

Inflorescence

The inflorescence is a short spike terminal with an intermediate form between globular and pyramid (or even a form of type ovoid) with many small flowers below and not twisted on the axis (the lip is in its original location above). The flowers are the armpits of long bracts more or less like the flowers themselves. The bracts are greenish or reddish. The spike is long, 1-3 cm.

Flower

The flowers are hermaphrodite and zygomorphic irregularly, pentacyclic (perigonium to 2 whorls of tepals, two whorls of stamens (one only fertile - the other being atrophied), a whorl of the stylus) .

The flower color varies by species from pale pink (almost white) to dark red, purplish brown, often almost black. Another unique feature is a delicate scent that reminds chocolate vanilla (are among the orchids scented Italian territory).




Source: http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigritella



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