This group of pictures is included purely out of
interest as it features an Ophrys that is neither a recognized variety or stable form.
Hypochromy can occur in most orchid species but is
perhaps more common in Ophrys than any other, in this case it has occurred in a group of O. aesculapii.
It should be stressed however that this condition is in fact extremely rare though a notable exception to this is O. apifera, where albeit still unusual, some colonies can include more hypochromatic plants than normal ones.
The plants illustrated here were found in a shady pine forest on Mt Hymettus just to the north of Athens. The poor light and strange lack of flower pigmentation didn't make for easy photography but
we felt that these plants were of sufficient interest
to be included on this site.
Pictures dated 9th of April 2009.
