St. Georgen and Großhöflein 29.4.2016

Friends of flowers often show each other places of interest. Last year, Herwig Gießwein and I showed a plaqce of Lady slipper orchids to Michael Szalay. A few days ago, Michael called me and described me two good places near Eisenstadt, which I now found with the help of a map, together with Herwig.

We start our first walk from St. Georgen up the Leitha mountains This is the view to Eisenstadt, St. Georgen to the left.

Eisenstadt, behind are the wind turbines near Mattersburg, on the horizon to the right is the still (or once more) snow covered Wechsel region.

Lady orchids (Orchis purpurea) are growing here, even in higher densities in some places. Many variants in shape and color.

These two large exemplars were growing under an oak tree, so I had to turn on the flash.

A few military orchids (Orchis militaris) already in flower..

Near the Rochus chapel ...

 ... a few burnt orchids (Neotinea ustulata) are growing. finden sich Brandknabenkräuter (Orchis ustulata)

A short drive to the opposite side of Eisenstadt, to Großhöflein. Here cushion spurges (Euphorbia epithymoides) are growing.

On the route to the landmark of "Weißes Kreuz" some exemplars of a "large" or "giant" milkwort (Polygala major), only growing on eastern Austria and in the pannonic area.

Another spurge, the cypress spurge (Euphorbia cyparissias)  has largely spreaded in a deforestated area and built large cushions.

Solomon's seal (Polygonatum multiflorum) is growing here in huge amounts.

This was the reason why we travelled to this particular place: the tiny fly orchid (Ophrys insectifera),

Bastard balm (Melittis melissophyllum)

Cushion spurge (Euphorbia epithymoides)

On the drive back, we have a few stops to admire today´s wonderful of Schneeberg, covered with new and old snow. Here the view from near Großhöflein

Steinbrunn

Between Zillingtal and Pöttsching

Rax, Schneeberg

Near the "Wetterkreuz" above Sauerbrunn.

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