Syn.: Anacamptis quadripunctata Lindl., Androrchis quadripunctata (Cirillo ex Ten.) D.Tyteca et E. Klein, Orchis hostii Tratt.
Family: Orchidaceae Juss.
Distribution: Mediterranean part of the Balkans (Dalmatia, Albania, Greece), westward to southern Italy (Apulia and Campania), eastward to western Anatolia and Cyprus.
Ecology: It grows on dry meadows and pastures, in macchia, in stony soils, usually on limestone, to an altitude of about 1500 m. It blooms from April to May.
Description: Perennial herb with subglobose or ovoid tubers. Stem 10–30(–40) cm tall, erect, reddish, with a basal rosette of 2–4 leaves. Leaves oblong-lanceolate to narrowly obovate, with or without spots, up to 12 cm long. Spike ovoid or cylindrical, with 10–20 flowers; flowers purple-violet or pinkish, outer perianth-segments 3–5 mm, ovate, obtuse, inner 2–5 mm, ovate, obtuse, labellum orbicular or rhombic, with purple spots, 3-lobed. Spur filiform, not widened towards the mouth, about as long as ovary. Fruit is a capsule.
Threat and protection: This species is protected by international convention CITES.
These images were taken in Italy, Gargano, San Marco in Lamis (April 18, 2008).
