AHO Thüringen

The Arbeitskreis Heimische Orchideen Thüringen e.V. (AHO Thüringen) is an association focused on the native orchids of the German state of Thuringia. Its website introduces the region’s orchid diversity and explains why these attractive, often threatened plants have become symbols of nature conservation. It notes that orchids grow across varied landscapes, including river valleys and uplands, meadows, beech and pine forests, and even spruce forests in the Thuringian Forest.

The site is an informational resource for residents, visitors, and anyone interested in wild plants. It presents native orchid species and genera, including Orchis, Epipactis, and Dactylorhiza, alongside sections on orchid knowledge, mapping, and literature. Visitors can also find information about the association, its statutes, contact details, and current news. The website features an “Orchid of the Year”; its recent selections are Violette Ständelwurz for 2026, Grünliche Waldhyazinthe for 2025, and Mücken-Händelwurz for 2024. The association encourages people to notice unfamiliar plants during walks and cycling trips and learn more about Thuringia’s native orchids.