O. incubacea
is a widespread orchid, first described from Sicily in 1842, its
name meaning "of smaller size". Quite why it was thus named is something of a mystery as it is not a particularly small Ophrys, growing
up to 60 cms tall and bearing up to 10 medium sized flowers.
It is a Mediterranean plant and although reaching the eastern Adriatic, does not extend beyond Albania. O. incubacea is a common orchid and is probably at the height of its abundance in the southern half of Italy, Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily. Its not a hugely variable Ophrys but within the range of the type species one named variety in particular stands out. This is depicted in picture 6 and named var. dianensisdoes. O. incubacea readily hybridizes and often produces swarms of confusing offspring. At a well known site in Sicily it has formed just such a swarm in combination with O. speculum , the results being quite beautiful (see page O. speculum x incubacea) .
The pictures here are from various Mediterranean locations including Sicily, Spain and Croatia with the Sicilian specimens dating from Mid April and those from Croatia during early May.
It is a Mediterranean plant and although reaching the eastern Adriatic, does not extend beyond Albania. O. incubacea is a common orchid and is probably at the height of its abundance in the southern half of Italy, Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily. Its not a hugely variable Ophrys but within the range of the type species one named variety in particular stands out. This is depicted in picture 6 and named var. dianensisdoes. O. incubacea readily hybridizes and often produces swarms of confusing offspring. At a well known site in Sicily it has formed just such a swarm in combination with O. speculum , the results being quite beautiful (see page O. speculum x incubacea) .
The
sepals are usually a pale green with
the petals being rather variable
in both size and colouration. The stigmatic cavity has a conspicuous white
exterior which contrasts strongly with the dark brown or
red lip colouration and this in itself is an important
diagnostic feature. Perhaps the most characteristic feature of O. incubacea
is the hairiness which is normally long and course and which in some
examples can produce an almost spiky appearance. In southern Italy it
can be easily confused with O.tarentina and also the rarer and somewhat smaller O. brutia.
The pictures here are from various Mediterranean locations including Sicily, Spain and Croatia with the Sicilian specimens dating from Mid April and those from Croatia during early May.
