Common Name: Roman Orchid

General Information

Dactylorhiza romana is a herbaceous perennial growing from a tuberous rootstock; it forms a basal rosette of leaves in the spring, followed by and erect flowering stem around 15 - 40cm tall, but usually less than 23cm[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine. It is grown as an ornamental in gardens
Dactylorhiza romana is rather local but is sometimes found in large and dense populations. It faces various threats, including by trampling, land melioration, agricultural use, collection of the tuber for food and medicine, urbanisation and tourism. However, these threats for the species and its habitats are unlikely to cause the populations to decline quickly in the near future. The plant is therefore classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southern Europe - Portugal and Spain through western Asia to Turkmenistan and Iran; N. Africa - Morocco and Al;geria

Habitat

Lght to medium shade in open deciduous and coniferous forest or woodland and garigue, on moderately dry, alkaline to slightly acidic soil; at elevations from sea level to 2,000 metres.

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.20 m
Pollinators	Bees, Beetles
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Orchids are, in general, shallow-rooting plants of well-drained low-fertility soils. Their symbiotic relationship with a fungus in the soil allows them to obtain sufficient nutrients and be able to compete successfully with other plants. They are very sensitive to the addition of fertilizers or fungicides since these can harm the symbiotic fungus and thus kill the orchid[].
Dactylorhiza species reproduce mainly and sometimes solely via seed production. Vegetative reproduction of many species is very low - in Dactylorhiza virides, for instance, it is almost
non-existent. Plants reach maturity and flower in one to several years - there is generally a high seed output and this enables Dactylorhiza species to recolonize habitats from which they have disappeared and to establish populations in new habitats[].

Edible Uses

The tubers are collected in Turkey and Iran for use as salep[]. Salep is a fine white to yellowish-white powder that is obtained by drying the tuber and grinding it into a powder[, , ]. Salep is a starch-like substance with a sweetish taste and a faint somewhat unpleasant smell[]. It is said to be very nutritious and is made into a drink, added to various foods including ice cream, or can be added to cereals and used in making bread etc[, , ]. One ounce of salep is said to be enough to sustain a person for a day[, ].
The tubers are 20mm x 10mm[].

The tubers contain mainly mucilage (61.05%), sugar (4.5%), water (11.1%) and traces of starch and ash after burning[]

Medicinal

The tubers are a source of salep and are used as a nutritive tonic and to treat constipation[]. Salep (see above for more details) is very nutritive and demulcent[]. It has been used as a diet of special value for children and convalescents, being boiled with water, flavoured and prepared in the same way as arrowroot[]. Rich in mucilage, it forms a soothing and demulcent jelly that is used in the treatment of irritations of the gastro-intestinal canal[]. One part of salep to fifty parts of water is sufficient to make a jelly[]. The tuber, from which salep is prepared, should be harvested as the plant dies down after flowering and setting seed[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - surface sow, preferably as soon as it is ripe, in the greenhouse and do not allow the compost to dry out. The seed of this species is extremely simple, it has a minute embryo surrounded by a single layer of protective cells. It contains very little food reserves and depends upon a symbiotic relationship with a species of soil-dwelling fungus. The fungal hyphae invade the seed and enter the cells of the embryo. The orchid soon begins to digest the fungal tissue and this acts as a food supply for the plant until it is able to obtain nutrients from decaying material in the soil[]. It is best to use some of the soil that is growing around established plants in order to introduce the fungus, or to sow the seed around a plant of the same species and allow the seedlings to grow on until they are large enough to move.
Division of the tubers as the flowers fade[]. This species produces a new tuber towards the end of its growing season. If this is removed from the plant as its flowers are fading, the shock to the plant can stimulate new tubers to be formed. The tuber should be treated as being dormant, whilst the remaining plant should be encouraged to continue in growth in order to give it time to produce new tubers[].
Division can also be carried out when the plant has a fully developed rosette of leaves but before it comes into flower[]. The entire new growth is removed from the old tuber from which it has arisen and is potted up, the cut being made towards the bottom of the stem but leaving one or two roots still attached to the old tuber. This can often be done without digging up the plant. The old tuber should develop one or two new growths, whilst the new rosette should continue in growth and flower normally[].