On a hillside field where Orchis italica (Naked Man Orchid) was more than abundant we were shown this excellent example of the hybrid between Orchis italica (Naked Man Orchid) and Orchis anthropophora (Man Orchid). The composite photograph above shows the hybrid in the centre with O. anthropophora on the left and O. italica on the right.

Taxonomy: All authorities agree that the correct name for this hybrid is Orchis bivonae Tod. or Orchis x bivonae Tod. The recent change of accepted name of Man Orchid (LHS above) from Aceras anthropophorum to Orchis anthropophora means that the existence of this hybrid orchid is perhaps less surprising as it is now intrageneric (within the Orchis genus) rather than intergeneric (a hybrid between species in different genera). Nevertheless it was the only one we saw during the week.

Orchis x bivonae Hybrid Orchid Hillside near Monte St. Angelo, Gargano, Italy 23rd April 2009 Previous   Next	Orchis x bivonae Hybrid Orchid Hillside near Monte St. Angelo, Gargano, Italy 23rd April 2009 Previous   Next
Orchis x bivonae (O. italica x O. anthropophorum) whole	Orchis x bivonae (O. italica x O. anthropophorum) close

Hillside near Monte St. Angelo, Gargano, Italy 23rd April 2009

Added on January 24th 2010, added 21st January 2011, updated 18th Nov 2014