Turk’s cap lily and bird’s-nest orchid

Two of the 23 protected plant species found in the gorge. More than 600 other species grow here too, some of them described for the first time more than 130 years ago.

More than 600 plant species grow in the Vintgar area. Owing to the gorge’s specific relief and various microclimates, these include plants that are not typically found in the surrounding area.

Audio guide

Intersting facts

What you can see at this point

First census 130 years ago

The first census of the flora of Vintgar Gorge was carried out by the botanist Jan Šafer in 1888. No new census was carried out until 2021, when experts from the Natural History Museum of Slovenia visited the gorge at the invitation of the Tourist Association Gorje and presented the results of their work to the general public in a publication entitled The Flora of Vintgar Gorge.

Turk’s cap lily (Lilium martagon)

This hardy plant can live for up to 50 years. Because of its downward-drooping flowers, it is only pollinated by those insects that are able to hover and have a long proboscis for sucking up nectar. Since these insects are active at dusk or at night, it is only then that the flowers give off their sweet, heavy scent, in order to attract them.

Bird’s-nest orchid (Neottia nidus-avis)

So named because of its complex root system that is reminiscent of a poorly made bird’s nest. Since the plant contains no chlorophyll, it is brown-grey in colour rather than green, which makes it hard to spot in dark woods.