Himantoglossum hircinum (L.) Spreng. - Orchidaceae - lizard orchid, Bocks-Riemenzunge

Orchid, 30-80 cm high; leaves oblong-ovate to lanceolate; inflorescence up to 30cm tall, cylindric, many-flowered; flower odor described as being reminescent of goat.
https://www.infoflora.ch/de/flora/3211-himantoglossum-hircinum.html

„It is usually rare but can sometimes be found in great numbers in suitable habitats. This orchid grows in dry meadows, rocky areas, and open woods. It may reach a height of 133 centimetres (52 in).“ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himantoglossum_hircinum

 (E)-3-methyl-4-decenoic acid
(E)-3-methyl-4-decenoic acid
 (Z)-4-decenoic acid
(Z)-4-decenoic acid
 lauric acid
lauric acid

Headspace analysis showed that the curious flower scent (reminding of goat, hot iron, linnen) is mainly attributable to the combination of (E)-3-methyl-4-decenoic acid (24.0%), (Z)-4-decenoic acid (34.0%) and lauric acid (12.0%), accompanied by (E)-ocimene (12.0%) and traces of p-cresol, eugenol and vanillin.
(Actual, the compounds responsible for the scent of goats are 4-methyloctanoic acid and 4-ethyloctanoic acid).
[Roman Kaiser, The scent of orchids: olfactory and chemical investigations., Basel 1993, 179-181 and 226]

„The smell of the flowers is unmistakable. Some people say the smell is of male goats and in languages other than English the common name is (billy-)goat orchid. The strong smell may be an adaptation to attract flies or night-flying insects.“
[Carey, P. D., and L. Farrell. „Himantoglossum hircinum (L.) Sprengel.“ Journal of Ecology 90.1 (2002): 206-218] https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1046/j.0022-0477.2001.00640.x

himantoglossum_hircinum.jpg
Himantoglossum hircinum (L.) Sprengel; J.B. Barla, Flore illustré de Nice et des Alpes-maritimes. Iconographie des Orchidées, t.24 (1868)
http://botanicalillustrations.org/species.php?id_species=531952

img_2763k.jpg
Himantoglossum hircinum, near Jena, Germany (2019)
Author: Andreas Kraska CC BY-SA 3.0