John and Gerry's    Orchids of Britain and Europe
Home Back to countries Links

Croatia

Notable species :-

Anacamptis papilionacea ssp balcanica
Himantoglossum adriaticum
Ophrys archipelagi
Ophrys bertolonii
Ophrys biscutella
Ophrys dinarica
Ophrys flavicans
Ophrys illyrica
Ophrys incantata
Ophrys istriensis
Ophrys liburnica
Ophrys media
Ophrys miniscula
Ophrys pharia
Ophrys rhodostephane
Ophrys sullcata
Ophrys tetraloniae
Ophrys tommassinii
Ophrys untchjii
Ophrys zinsmeisterii
Orchis ovalis
Platanthera algeriensis
Serapias cordigera
Serapias istriaca


                                                                                              Croatia
                               Ophrys istriensis
                                 Serapias istriaca
                                   Ophrys untchjii



                                 Ophrys rhodostephane
                            Himantoglossum adriaticum
                                     Ophrys incantata


Areas of interest


ISTRIA


* Krti.

From the town of Buzet take the 44 in a south westerly direction for 12 kilometres then take the left turn across a bridge towards Krti. From this point as far as Krti, the verges and countryside along the small roads up into the hills are havens for wild orchids. Ophrys untchjii, Ophrys media, Ophrys tetraloniae, Ophrys apifera, Ophrys apifera bicolor, Orchis simia, Orchis purpurea, Himantoglossum adriaticum.

*
Sveti Donat.

Situated some 5kms south of Buzet, a winding road heads south from this small town towards the village of Vrh. The verges and wooded hills along the road are of great interest to the orchid enthusiast and particularly the slopes at the Vrh end of the road. Orchis purpurea, Orchis militaris, Orchis ovalis, Ophrys apifera, Ophrys apifera v botteronii, Ophrys tetraloniae, Limadorum abortivum, Epipactis microphylla, Gymnadenia odoratissima,


 
* Draguc

The 5013 road south from Sveti Donat to Cerovilje is another road that offers orchid interest along its verges and in areas away from cultivation. Of particular interest is the stretch between the ancient village of Draguc and Grimalda. Ophrys tetraloniae, Ophrys apifera, Ophrys tommassinii, Ophrys insectifera, Ophrys medea, Ophrys untchjii, Anacamptis fragrans, Orchis ovalis, Neotinea tridentata, Neotinea ustulata.


* Bale

Bale is an ancient and picturesque town on the west coast of the Istrian peninsula and is also at the heart of good orchid country. There is still plenty of uncultivated, natural habitat around the town and particularly along the road north to Rovinj. This district is noted as the home for the recently discovered Ophrys istriensis. Ophrys illyrica,
Ophrys untchjii, Ophrys medea, Ophrys istriensis, Ophrys sulcata, Ophrys tommassinii, Ophrys incubacea, Ophrys apifera, Anacamptis papilionacea ssp balcanica, Anacamptis picta, Orchis simia, Orchis purpurea, Himantoglossum adriaticum.

* Baretini.

From Bale take the road south towards Vodnjan and after some 4 kilometres, in the district around Baretini and Gajana the terrain becomes a mixture of small scale cultivation and rough scrub. Exploration along the tracks and in the abandoned fields will reveal a good number of orchid species.
Ophrys illyrica, Ophrys untchjii, Ophrys medea, Ophrys istriensis, Ophrys tommassinii, Ophrys incubacea, Ophrys apifera, Anacamptis papilionacea ssp balcanica, Anacamptis picta, Orchis simia, Orchis purpurea.

* Premantura National Park

This is a large area of scrub occupying the Kamenjak peninsula in the far south of Istria. It is one of the premier sites for orchids in Croatia and home to the scarce Serapias istriaca. The park is a mixture of bare sandy soils, garrigue and thin grass where orchids can be found locally but sometimes abundantly, particularly in the damper, grassy areas.
Ophrys bertolonii, Ophrys untchjii, Ophrys medea, Ophrys bombyliflora, Ophrys tommassinii, Ophrys incubacea, Ophrys apifera, Anacamptis papilionacea ssp balcanica, Anacamptis fragrans, Serapias cordigera, Serapias istriaca, Serapias lingua, Serapias parviflora.


* Valtura

This is a town situated near the west coast of the Istrian peninsula, from which a road/track runs across the top of the Uvala Budala to the town of Kavran. From the start of the stretch of dirt track all the way through to Kavran, orchids can be found in suitable habitat, especially the verges. Much of the landscape is frustratingly covered with very thick scrub that is all but impossible to penetrate and consequently finding suitable clear areas to explore is difficult. Seeking out these locations can however be rewarding as they are home to the rare Croation endemic, Ophrys zinsmeisteri.
Ophrys illyrica, Ophrys untchjii, Ophrys medea, Ophrys tommassinii, Ophrys incubacea, Ophrys apifera, Ophrys zinsmeisteri, Anacamptis papilionacea ssp balcanica, Orchis pauciflora.


Dalmatia


* Kljake.

The 56 (road) eastwards from the village towards Gornji Muc passes through several habitat types from woodland and scrub to abandoned cultivation and is rich in orchid species. The woodland edges are the place to search out Ophrys rhodostephane whilst the verges themselves are home for several other Ophrys species.  Ophrys dinarica, Ophrys liburnica, Ophrys incantata, Ophrys apifera, Orchis simia, Neottinea nidus-avis, Cephalanthera longifolia.

* Mosec.

Traveling eastwards on the 56, pass through the village of Ruzic and after 3 kilometres take the right turn to Mosec. This road meanders uphilll through rough pasture and scrub to a high plateau that supports many orchid species. Ophrys bertolonii, Ophrys incantata, Ophrys rhodostephane, Ophrys miniscula, Ophrys dinarica, Orchis quadripunctata, Orchis purpurea, Limodorum abortivum, Platanthera chlorantha.

* Vodice.

To the north west of Sibenek lies the town of Vodice and from here a road runs up to Pirovac and beyond to Drage. This passes through large areas of coastal scrub and olive groves both of which are habitats for the endemic Ophrys flavicans. It should be noted however that this is a very early flowering species that can already be in decline when other spring orchids are just beginning their flowering cycle. Ophrys incantata, Ophrys rhodostephane, Ophrys flavicans, Ophrys incubacea, Ophrys archipelagi, Orchis anthropophora.

* Hvar Island.

Situated off the coast midway between Split and Dubrovnic, this island is largely undeveloped and offers many opportunities to the orchid enthusiast. It is perhaps ironic therefore, though not coincidental, that Hvar's special and seriously endangered orchid, Ophrys pharia finds a home in the most developed area of the island between Stari Grad and Vrbanj. Ophrys pharia, Ophrys sicula, Ophrys rhodostephane, Ophrys bertolonii, Ophrys incubacea, Ophrys leucadica, Ophrys miniscula, Orchis anthropophora, Orchis pauciflora, Orchis quadripunctata.