Syn.: Orchis anatolica var. troodi (Renz) Soó, Orchis troodi (Renz) Delforge, Androrchis troodi (Renz) D. Tyteca et E. Klein
Family: Orchidaceae Juss.
Distribution: This subspecies is endemic to Cyprus. The nominative subspecies Orchis anatolica subsp. anatolica is the most widespread, occurs in the northeastern part of Mediterranean (from the Greek islands and Turkey to Iran and Israel).
Ecology: It grows in forests in the broader Troodos Mountains range, together with Pinus brutia and Quercus alnifolia, usually on igneous rocks, at elevations from 300 to 1550 m. It blooms from March to April.
Description: Perennial herb, 10–50 cm tall. Stem erect, the leaves are 2–5 in a rosette, lanceolate to narrowly eliptic, entire, 8–13 × 2–3 cm, often with dark purple spots. Inflorescence up to 20 cm long, flowers white, pale pink to red, lip to 17 mm long, with dark purple spots, spur 20–25 mm long, sharply upturned. The fruit is a capsule.
Threat and protection: This taxon is protected by CITES.
These images were taken in Cyprus, Paphos Forest, in the vicinity of Cedar Valley (March 28, 2010).
