O. exaltata is endemic to the island of Sicily and the adjoining mainland province of Calabria. It was first described in 1819 and is the titular member of the 12 strong O. exaltata group of Ophrys.
As can be seen from the illustrations, although the sepal colouration can vary somewhat, the lip shape
and markings are fairly consistent. The sepals can range from pure white through pale pink to light green
and usually have a strong dark green vein, though this is less obvious in green sepaled plants. It is by
no means uncommon to find examples with virtually no distinguishable veining at all.
O. exaltata is a relatively distinct orchid and tends to catch the eye by virtue of its long, light coloured
sepals. It can however be confused with its fellow group member and Sicilian endemic O. panormitana which
is highly variable and in some forms can strongly resemble its close cousin. O. panormitana is usually more
hairy, has an obvious lime green stigmatic cavity and the sepals, although with a very similar range of
colouration and markings, are noticeably plumper and shorter.
Both species may grow side by side and share similar habitat requirements . As well as the more usual
Mediterranean habitats they share a fondness for more disturbed sites such as settled rock falls,
quarries and road verges.
This Ophrys is not at all common but can be frequent in its favoured locations mainly in the central and
south east of the island of Sicily. In Calabria O. exaltata has similar habitat preferences but is a rarer
plant. Photograph's date from the first two weeks of April 2011.
