Queen of the Forest: The Hero's Blood (Sângele Voinicului) + views
Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2026 11:47 am
A true botanical rarity, Sângele Voinicului (Nigritella) is one of the most precious gems of the Romanian alpine flora. This small, dark-colored orchid is famous not only for its deep, blood-red to almost black hues but also for its intense, unmistakable fragrance—a sweet scent reminiscent of vanilla or chocolate.
Where to Find It
This rare orchid grows in the high-altitude alpine meadows, usually between 1,500 and 2,500 meters. If you are lucky, you can spot it in:
The Legend of the Hero’s Blood
The name "Sângele Voinicului" (The Hero's Blood) comes from an ancient and touching Romanian legend. It is said that in olden times, a brave hero (voinic) fought a terrifying dragon or a multi-headed beast on the mountain peaks to protect his people.
After a long and fierce battle, the hero finally defeated the creature, but he was gravely wounded. As he walked across the mountain ridges, drops of his blood fell into the grass. From those drops, these small, dark-red flowers grew. To this day, the flower keeps the color of his sacrifice and the sweetness of his soul, standing as a symbol of courage and devotion.
Conservation Status
Sângele Voinicului is a strictly protected species in Romania (Monument of Nature). Because it is an orchid, its life cycle is very complex and depends on a specific fungus in the soil. Once picked, the plant almost never recovers, and it cannot be transplanted.
Look, but don't touch: It is illegal to pick or uproot this flower.
Be careful where you step: These orchids are small and can easily be overlooked.
Have you ever encountered this "vanilla-scented" treasure during your mountain hikes? Share your photos and experiences below!
Frequently Asked Questions: The Hero's Blood - Sângele Voinicului (Nigritella)
Why is it called "Queen of the Forest" if it grows in alpine meadows? While often found in high alpine pastures above the tree line, its elegance and rarity have earned it "royal" nicknames in Romanian folklore. It is considered the "queen" of the mountain heights due to its noble appearance and exquisite scent.
Does the flower really smell like vanilla? Yes! One of the most unique characteristics of Nigritella is its strong, pleasant aroma of vanilla or chocolate. It is one of the few wild orchids in Romania that can be identified by its scent even before you see it.
What is the blooming period for Sângele Voinicului? You can usually find it in bloom during the summer months, specifically from late June to mid-August, depending on the altitude and the weather conditions of the year.
Is it true that there are two colors of this flower? Yes. In the Carpathians, you can find Nigritella nigra (which is a very dark, almost black-purple) and Nigritella rubra (which is a ruby or cherry red). Both are equally rare and protected.
Can I take a small bouquet if there are many in one place? Absolutely not. Sângele Voinicului has been a protected "Monument of Nature" in Romania since 1933. Picking even a single flower is illegal and highly damaging to the local ecosystem, as these orchids rely on seeds to reproduce.
Why is it so rare to find today? Apart from being naturally rare, the species is threatened by overgrazing and illegal picking. Because it has a very slow growth cycle and depends on specific soil fungi to germinate, the loss of a single plant can affect the population for years.
Where to Find It
This rare orchid grows in the high-altitude alpine meadows, usually between 1,500 and 2,500 meters. If you are lucky, you can spot it in:
- Bucegi Mountains (see more): Often found on the sunny slopes of the alpine plateaus.
- Rodna Mountains: Hidden among the grass in protected botanical reservations.
- Piatra Craiului: Growing on rocky limestone ridges.
- Făgăraș Mountains (see more): Adding a touch of elegance to the rugged landscape.
Close-up of a rare Sângele Voinicului (Nigritella rubra) orchid with deep red petals, growing in a wild alpine meadow in the Romanian Carpathians.
The name "Sângele Voinicului" (The Hero's Blood) comes from an ancient and touching Romanian legend. It is said that in olden times, a brave hero (voinic) fought a terrifying dragon or a multi-headed beast on the mountain peaks to protect his people.
After a long and fierce battle, the hero finally defeated the creature, but he was gravely wounded. As he walked across the mountain ridges, drops of his blood fell into the grass. From those drops, these small, dark-red flowers grew. To this day, the flower keeps the color of his sacrifice and the sweetness of his soul, standing as a symbol of courage and devotion.
Conservation Status
Sângele Voinicului is a strictly protected species in Romania (Monument of Nature). Because it is an orchid, its life cycle is very complex and depends on a specific fungus in the soil. Once picked, the plant almost never recovers, and it cannot be transplanted.
Look, but don't touch: It is illegal to pick or uproot this flower.
Be careful where you step: These orchids are small and can easily be overlooked.
Have you ever encountered this "vanilla-scented" treasure during your mountain hikes? Share your photos and experiences below!
A single Sângele Voinicului orchid (Nigritella rubra) standing tall in a rocky alpine field during sunrise.
Why is it called "Queen of the Forest" if it grows in alpine meadows? While often found in high alpine pastures above the tree line, its elegance and rarity have earned it "royal" nicknames in Romanian folklore. It is considered the "queen" of the mountain heights due to its noble appearance and exquisite scent.
Does the flower really smell like vanilla? Yes! One of the most unique characteristics of Nigritella is its strong, pleasant aroma of vanilla or chocolate. It is one of the few wild orchids in Romania that can be identified by its scent even before you see it.
What is the blooming period for Sângele Voinicului? You can usually find it in bloom during the summer months, specifically from late June to mid-August, depending on the altitude and the weather conditions of the year.
Is it true that there are two colors of this flower? Yes. In the Carpathians, you can find Nigritella nigra (which is a very dark, almost black-purple) and Nigritella rubra (which is a ruby or cherry red). Both are equally rare and protected.
Can I take a small bouquet if there are many in one place? Absolutely not. Sângele Voinicului has been a protected "Monument of Nature" in Romania since 1933. Picking even a single flower is illegal and highly damaging to the local ecosystem, as these orchids rely on seeds to reproduce.
Why is it so rare to find today? Apart from being naturally rare, the species is threatened by overgrazing and illegal picking. Because it has a very slow growth cycle and depends on specific soil fungi to germinate, the loss of a single plant can affect the population for years.