May 2021: Bird's-nest orchid [Neottia nidus-avis] (Vogel-Nestwurz, Bräunliche Nestwurz): I was very surprised to find a whole group of more than ten orchids in the spring forest. It is diffucult to discover as it is brownish like last year's leaves on the ground. It doesn't contain any chlorophyll but collaborates with fungi that deliver water, mineral nutriment and assimilation products. The orchid's roots are interwoven with mycorrhizae that at the other end are connected to trees. Therefore the orchid thrives on trees = epiparasitic! It takes about nine years from the germination to the blossom! The plant is cleistogamous which means self-pollination in closed flowers. Additionally it is geocarpic = it produces subterrestrial fruits. The orchid got its name due to the appearance of its roots: they look like a bird's nest.