Description of development period of Dactylorhiza romana (Sebast.) Soo. during four consecutive years

Tuberous orchids are known as salep orchids and have been collected from nature as medicinal plants for centuries. Propagation of the orchids via vegetative or reproductive parts has not yet been achieved, therefore they are endangered species. Seed germination was achieved by in-vitro studies, but there is no report on annual development status of the seed-derived individuals. In this study, sprouts from Dactylorhiza romana species germinating in nature were used as material. The four-year development of the small shoots was monitored. Some morphological characteristics were determined at the end of each year. In the first year, one leaf and tuber 0.25 gram in weight were formed. In the second year, individuals producing 3 leaf and 0.99 gram tuber did not bloom. Flowering was observed at first in the third year. The period until first flowering was described as adulthood stage and this period was observed as three years for Dactylorhiza romana. However, the plants reached enough size in the fourth year and were able to produce an average of 3.11 grams of tuber