MAN ORCHID

(species Aceras anthropophorum), the only species in the genus Aceras, plant family Orchidaceae. It is native to grasslands of Great Britain, Eurasia, and northern Africa. The man orchid derives its name from the helmeted, humanlike shape of its flowers. The flower spike, about 10 to 45 cm (4 to 18 inches) tall, may bear up to 90 greenish or yellowish flowers, which have an unpleasant odour. A man orchid has glossy leaves, short, thick roots, and two egg-shaped underground tubers.