This is a member of the tridentata group which along with its stablemates has recently been redirected
into the Neotinea genus. It was first described from Sicily in 1842 and its name literally means
"changed" .
Its range is similar to that of N. tridentata though less extensive. Because of its marked resemblance
to that species its exact distribution i s open to question though it is known to get no further east than
Anatolia. What is known for certain is that wherever you may find N. commutata you can also find
N. tridentata and so the scope for confusion of identity is apparent.
Despite the physical similarities of the two species however they are not in fact genetically that close
with N. tridentata being diploid (2 sets of chromosomes) and N. commutata autotetraploid (4 sets)
and its for this reason that where the two species meet, they do not form intermediates.
The main visual differences in the species are :- 1. The sepals forming the hood are distinctly seperated
in commutata whereas they virtually touch in tridentata. 2. The margins of the lobes are ragged and saw
toothed in the former. 3. The flower head is taller and more conical than the somewhat flat topped shape
of tridentata. Picture 6 is N. tridentata and is included for comparison purposes.
The pictures here are all from Sicily where this species seems to flower a shade earlier than its cousin
tridentata. These illustrations date from the second week of April and as can be seen the plants were in
full flower (many were if fact finishing by this time).
The following three pictures are also from Sicily and depict plants that dont fit easily into the N. commutata description and are clearly niether N. lactea or N. conica. Your thought's would be welcome ?
