Ophrys fuciflora Late Spider-orchid
On a wet day in a wet week when we on a Naturetrek holiday experienced only five hours of sunshine in southern Italy in June, this little orchid was found in wet grass. The "squareish" shape of the labellum seems to be typical but as there are (too) many recognised sub species of O. fuciflora the patterns and colours of the petals and sepals must be closely scrutinised.
Taxonomy: this is one of the Ophrys genus about which there is little controversy and all authorities appear to agree with the name Ophrys fuciflora (F.W.Schmidt) Moench
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Hills near Peschici, Gargano, Italy 24th April 2009
Added January 11th 2010, updated 20th January 2011