O. argentaria was first described by Devillers-Terschuren and Devillers from Monte Argentaria in 1991
and is a member of the 12 strong O. exaltata group.
This Ophrys is an Italian endemic with a range from La Spezia in the north to the Latium region south of
Rome. As it s name suggests O. argentaria is at its most frequent in the Grosetto area of southern Tuscany
and its in this area that its range overlaps with several other closely related species that can cause a great
deal of confusion with identification.
There are in fact three other species which may be found in flower concurrently with O. argentaria between March and early May, namely O. classica, O. tarquinia and the ubiquitous O. sphegodes. All these
species have individual distinguishing features but years of gene ingression has made identification in the
field a painstaking business where the "balance of probabilities" is often resorted to.
The following characteristics are typical of O. argentaria but as can be seen from the photograph's - by
no means infallible. 1 :- Speculum pattern is complex and often broken. 2 :- Basal swellings normally small
or absent. 3 :- Tends to be shorter and spindlier than the other species with laxer inflorescence.
O. argentaria is a local orchid but can grow in large numbers in its favoured locations. Although generally
associated with alkaline soils, it will tolerate slightly acidic or sandy conditions. All the photograph's
come from Tuscany, between Siena and Monte Argentaria and date from the first week of April.
.