The startling reddish colours of these orchids and their large numbers with drifts of fifty or more, make a spectacular sight on the hillsides in the Gargano. Although not as numerous as the pink Orchis italica (Naked Man Orchid), they often grow together with the occasional Anacamptis morio (Green-winged Orchid) adding a purple colour to the red and pink. The only example of a white form of A. papilionacea was at first thought to be Orchis pauciflora (Few-flowered Orchid) - a common yellow flowered species at this site but closer examination of the florets showed it to be A. papilionacea.

Taxonomy: The work of Bateman at al towards the end of the 1990s led to the long used name Orchis papilionacea L. being replaced by Anacamptis papilionacea (L.) R.M.Bateman, Pridgeon & M.W.Chase.

Kew, World Checklist and other databases say Anacamptis papilionacea (L.) R.M.Bateman, Pridgeon & M.W.Chase. is the correct and accepted name for this orchid but Delforge and some others still use the old name Orchis papilionacea L.

Hillside near Monte St. Angelo, Gargano, Italy 22nd April 2009

Added on January 24th 2010, updated 26th Feb 2010, updated 22nd Ausgust 2018