Early-purple orchid

The Fondry Des Chiens (Pits of the Dogs), Viroinval, Belgium. Is a karstic area where deep pits were formed by the solution of the limestone. Those pits once contained a filling of iron ore, especially limonite, which is a residual ore, the remains of the solution process itself. The ore was mined in ancient times, and as a result the pits are now empty. It is possible to vist the pits freely, there are trails to the bottom. The flora of the ground is a typical for neglected grassland, caused by the thin layer of top soil which is creating long dry and hot phases. This extreme climate results in the elimination of "normal" plants but alllows extremophiles a good chance to survive. Pits like this are found regularly in karst areas, but this are the only ones in Belgium which reach such an enourmous depth of up to 30m.