Gennaria

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This is a genus of terrestrial Orchids which contains just a single species, it is monotypic.

In the wild this is spread from the Canary Islands to as far east as Italy and Sardinia. It is both early flowering and far from conspicuous and may thus be more widespread than records suggest.

Whilst it is not a conspicuous species, it compensates for this both by flowering freely and increasing well in cultivation. Flowering is very early in the year when little else is in bloom the lightly honey-scented flowers, as early as January are a welcome fore-runner to spring.

Gennaria are not available for export to USA, Norway, Switzerland etc.

Gennaria diphylla

This has just two broad leaves set on opposite sides of its stem, but at different levels and of different sizes.

The flowers are light yellow-green and although small, they are packed into a spike of 10cm, on a 25-30cm tall stem.

This could never be called vivid, but it has its own quiet charm that will be appreciated by the connoisseur of ground orchids. Flowering is VERY early in the year, from January on, when little else is in flower.

Well drained compost composed of leaf-soil and sand works well, with the plants lightly shaded. Increase under these conditions is pleasingly fast.


Gennaria diphyllagendipdip	£5.50
Nice cultivated tubers. Very few this season. Close to, or just at, flowering size Large view