OPHRYS BISCUTELLA O. et D. Danesch

Syn.: Ophrys fuciflora (F. W. Schmidt) Moench subsp. pollinensis E. Nelson, Ophrys exaltata Ten. subsp. sundermanni Soó, Ophrys crabronifera Mauri subsp. sundermanni (Soó) Del Prete, Ophrys crabronifera Mauri subsp. pollinensis (E. Nelson) H. Baumann et R. Lorenz, Ophrys argolica H. Fleischm. subsp. biscutella (O. et E. Danesch) Kreutz
Family: Orchidaceae Juss.

Distribution: An endemic species of Southern Italy.
Habitat: It grows in dry meadows and pastures, macchie and garrigue, on rocky slopes, and in woodland margins, up to 1300 metres above sea level.
Description: A perennial herb with an erect stem, 15–50 cm high. The basal leaves in rosette, lanceolate, the flowers 2–8(–10) in lax inflorescence, the sepals are pink or white, the petals pink, the lip is 3-lobed, reddish brown, with characteristic eyeglass-like signs. Flowers from April to May. The fruit is a capsule.
Threat and Protection: Ophrys biscutella is a protected plant by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).


These images were taken in Italy, Gargano, Pianura di Montenero (date 20. 4. 2008).