LIZARD ORCHID

(Himantoglossum hircinum), unusual-looking plant of the family Orchidaceae, occurring sporadically in a variety of dry European habitats. Each greenish-purple flower bears several long, slightly twisted lobes. The two side lobes resemble the hindlegs of a lizard, the long central part of the lip is similar to a tail, and the petals and sepals form the head and body. Lizard orchid flowers are clustered on a spike about 10 to 50 centimetres (4 to 20 inches) long. The plant has a goatlike odour and a rather untidy appearance.