Orchis simia - Monkey orchis

The Orchis simia, represented on this 200 millime stamp, is one of the most fascinating wild orchids in Tunisia. It owes its vernacular name to the shape of its lip (the lower petal), whose lobes are strangely reminiscent of the body and limbs of a small monkey. The illustration accurately reflects the pink and white hues spotted with purple of the inflorescence. Its presence testifies to the ecological quality of Tunisian meadows and clearings.