Enthusiasts of rare blooms might want to head to property in Spain's mountain region surrounding the Pyrenees to see a rare orchid that is making a comeback.
Cypripedium calceolus is endangered in some parts of Europe; however, it is not only surviving, but thriving in the mountainous border between Spain and France, which could lead many people to head to property in Spain to see it for themselves.
Researchers from the Pyrenean Institute of Ecology, which was founded in 1942, suggest this is because farming is on the decline in the region, allowing natural forests to recover and provide more suitable habitats for the orchid.
Lead author of the study Maria B Garcia says: "The populations on the southern edges of the Pyrenees are similar in size, reproduce better and are as stable as or even growing at a faster pace than those in central Europe."
In particular, the regrowth of forests in southern Europe could be providing more shade and shelter for the orchid, helping it to enjoy cooler conditions usually seen in central or northerly parts of the continent.
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