This is an eastern European sub species of Ophrys sphegodes which is usually taller than our British plant.

Taxonomy: This was placed as a full species Ophrys mammosa Desf. by Delforge and others but Kew (2011) said the correct accepted name is Ophrys sphegodes ssp mammosa (Desf.) Soó ex E.Nelson.

However, in the ever changing taxonomic world of Ophrys this name has changed yet again (2024) and is now known as:

Ophrys sphegodes subsp taurica (Aggeenko) Soó ex Niketic & Djordjevic

It is found in Bulgaria, Romania, Greece, Turkey, syria, Iraq, Iran, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Balkan countries and the Caucasus countries.

Ophrys sphegodes ssp taurica Early Spider Orchid Hills near Hizarkoy, Cyprus 8th April 2004 Previous   Next	Ophrys sphegodes ssp taurica Early Spider Orchid Near sanctuary at Vuoni, Cyprus 17th April 20011 Previous   Next
Ophrys sphegodes ssp taurica	Ophrys sphegodes ssp taurica

Near sanctuary at Vuoni, Cyprus 17th April 20011

Added on January 15th 2010, updated 21st January 2011, updated 4th February 2025