John and Gerry's    Orchids of Britain and Europe
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Southern Tuscany


Notable species :-

Anacamptis laxiflora
Anacamptis papilionacea ssp rubra
Neottinia lactea
Neottinia tridentata
Ophrys argentaria
Ophrys bertolonii
Ophrys classica
Ophrys crabronifera
Ophrys fuciflora
Ophrys garganica
Ophrys gracilis
Ophrys hespera
Ophrys lucifera
Ophrys linearis
Ophrys neglecta
Ophrys tarquinia
Ophrys tyrrhena
Orchis ovalis
Orchis simia
Serapias lingua
Serapias neglecta
Serapias parviflora





                               Ophrys crabronifera
                                Ophrys lucifera
                                   Ophrys classica


Areas of interest


*Monte Argentaria.

From Orbetello cross the southern road bridge and follow the SS440 (SP161). Having crossed the causeway stay right towards Porto San Stefano and after approx 2.5 kilometres take the turning on your left signposted  “Convento Padri Passionista”. This road climbs up the mountain and eventually reaches a military tracking station at the summit. There are orchids periodically throughout the length of this road and its really a question of driving slowly (its not a busy road !) and stopping as you see orchids. Beyond the road verges the scrub is thick and not at all orchid friendly and so the important areas to search are the cleared slopes under the lines of pylons and any walking paths that occasionally cross the road.
One of the most productive areas is locally known as “the ski slope” and the reason for this becomes obvious. It is situated virtually half way between the Convent and the station at the top and is not difficult to locate because it is one of the few places on the climb up that has a decent sized area in which to park. It will be on your right and is a steepish slope up to a small plateaux that then drops down again towards the west. Ophrys crabronifera, Ophrys gracilis, Ophrys argaentaria, Ophrys classica, Ophrys hespera

*Monte Argentaria.

From Porto San Stefano take the Via Panoramica which is a cliff top road that follows the coast around the north west of Argentaria.There are orchids to be found in many of the more open areas along the road, particularly at the Porto San Stefano end. Verges, banks and laybys are especially productive. Ophrys argentaria, Ophrys classica, Ophris apifera v bicolor, Orchis simia, Orchis italica

*Albarese. 

From the SS1 (E80) take the turn off to Albarese and go into the village. From here take the Via di Loreto that leaves the village from the south and after approx 500 metres you will come to a small pull in on your right with a large walking map on a board. From here the hillside to your left and the verges on both sides of the road southwards hold orchids.This road ends at the cemetery (Cimitero di Alberese) and a sizeable car park. From here a rough path heads south eastwards to the left of the cemetery wall. This leads to an area of scrub around the perimeter of a rough grazed field. Ophrys hespera, Ophrys tyrrhena, Ophrys tarquinia, Neottinia lactea, Ophrys bertolonii, Ophrys argentaria.

 
*Albarese.

The Via Bersagliere leading from the north side of the village has orchid rich verges.

*Marina de Grosetto.

The coast to the north and south of this small holiday town is bordered with large areas of scrub and pinetta and orchids can be found in many of the more open parts, particularly along the wide road verges. Ophrys crabronifera, Ophrys classica, Ophrys argentaria, Ophrys tyrrhena.