O. helenae was first described from the Greek island of Corfu by Renz in 1928 and is a member of the widespread O. mammosa group of Ophrys. It was named after the mother of the author of its description.

Despite its relative abundance, this species is one of the special beauties of northern Greece, where its unique and unmistakable appearance make its identification a formality. The fact that it is a comparatively common orchid and that it occurs in regions, notably north west Greece, where it occurs in the company of many other O. mammosa group Ophrys, renders it unsurprising that hybridization is widespread.

In O. helenae the basic shape and conformation of the flower is quite uniform but colouration, although always crimson, can vary considerably in hue with some flowers reflecting a vivid magenta hue and others a duller orange/brown. One of the unique and characteristic features of O. helenae is the complete lack of any specular pattern and this in itself is sufficient to distinguish it from any other Ophrys. Hybrid plants however will vary according to the gene donor species but in general display a speculum, albeit vestigial in some cases. A feature common to most hybrid O. helenae flowers is the characteristic heart shaped lip which seems to remain recognizable no matter the lip configuration of the other parent. 

O. helenae can be found in small numbers in Albania and Bulgaria but is otherwise largely a Greek specialty which notwithstanding a small presence in the Peloponnese, is probably confined to continental north west Greece and adjacent islands (Corfu, Cephalonia etc) north of the Gulf of Corinth. As has already been mentioned however, in its favoured locations it can be the dominant orchid species, occurring in huge numbers.