O. conradiae was first described by Melki and Deschatres from Corsica in 1993 and named after M. Conrad, an early 20th century Corsican botanist.
This is an uncommon orchid with a distribution once thought to be limited to Sardinia and Corsica but which has more recently been identified in southern Italy, including the Gargano peninsula. In Sardinia it can easily be confused with O. sardoa, a smaller flowered species but one which has an equally late flowering period. They can frequently be found growing together and it is the view of some botanists that the two species are in fact synonymous.
O. conradiae is a tall plant, capable of reaching 70cms with medium sized scolopaxoid flowers. It exhibits a preference for dry, calcareous soils, often, though not exclusively in coastal areas. It is easily distinguished by its green sepals though the species has been recorded (albeit rarely) with a pale pink or white perianth. The lateral lobes form basal swellings which may be rounded or moderately developed and the appendage modest, three lobed and forward pointing. The labellum is dark brown with a bold and sometimes extensive speculum and the lip margins covered with white hair, particularly in the distal region.
As has already been mentioned, it is a late flowerer with its first appearance occurring in late April and finishing in early June. The pictures here come from a small and isolated colony on the Gargano peninsula to the south of Vieste dating from the middle of May, at which time they were only just appearing.
