20th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
The Pink Ghost – The orchid with no chlorophyll

Achlorophyllous orchids, also called chlorotic or achlorophyllous, are nonphotosynthetic individuals, lacking entirely the green, chlorophyll pigments. The deep-purple to pink color of the leaves, stem and flowers indicates the presence of anthocyanins (purple-blue pigments secreted in many species of plants), which are abundantly secreted in the case of this Epipactis purpurata f. rosea individual. Since it does not need sunlight, this ghostly orchid prefers full-shade, humid and cool forests (Orchids of Romania, by Nora De Angelli & Dan Anghelescu, 2020).

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 07.2020
Date Uploaded: 11.2022
Photo Location: Odorheiu Secuiesc, Romania
Copyright: © Nora De Angelli