C. conferta was first described as a subspecies by B and H Baumann from Lebanon in 2004 and subsequently promoted to full species status by Kreutz the following year.

This species is at its most common in the near East countries of Lebanon, Syria, Israel, Turkey and Jordan and therefore outside the remit of this site. It does however have outposts on the Greek islands of Lesbos and Samos where it is not at all uncommon and particularly at higher altitudes. The pictures are all from Samos where its close relative C. longifolia is present but extremely rare. Distinguishing the two is not easy but as with many orchids, in their typical form the process becomes easier. C. conferta tends to have a more compact inflorescence with leaves that are more closely spaced and broader with a pronounced boat cross section as opposed to the flatter profile of C. longifolia. These leaves also sit horizontally to the stem rather than upward pointing.

The Samos examples pictured here do not reflect the compact inflorescence particularly well but the characteristic leaf formation is effectively portrayed. Even populations in Lebanon where it is at its most abundant, do not always display the more crowded flower spike and more closely resemble C. longifolia.

Flowering commences in the first week of April but can be as early as mid March in the warmer parts of its range. As already mentioned, this species seems happiest at higher elevations where it seeks partial or even full shade, invariably on calcareous substrates. On Samos its preferred habitat is roadside verges in open montane pine woodland. The pictures date from the last week of April at which time the plants were in full flower..