O. lojaconoi was first described from Foggia, Italy by Pierre Delforge in 1995 and was named after the Sicilian botanist, Lojacono Pogera. The species is also known by the synonym O. iricolor ssp lojaconoi,
which is incorrect but entirely understandable given that it can often be so vividly
coloured as to closely resemble this more easterly distributed species.
Despite this morphological similarity the two species are not thought
to be closely related, O. lojaconoi being a member of the O. fusca group of Ophrys.
O. lojaconoi is rare and has a limited range on the eastern coast of Italy from the Gargano peninsula and southwards along the Adriatic coast as far as Brindisi. It is a highly distinctive Ophrys, not easily confused with other members of the genus and not least because of its colourful and often extravagant labellum. As has already been mentioned, current thinking does not link these two species but the specular pattern is often strongly reminiscent of O. iricolor.
The key identifying characteristics of this species are the prominent basal ridges below the stigmatic cavity. The lip is not divided and the speculum therefore appears entire, generally bluish and usually with a relatively complicated and variable pattern. The lateral lobes often but by no means always tend to project laterally from the median lobe, thereby forming a wide sinus area.
O. lojaconoi will happily grow in an open position but seems to prefer a situation offering some shade from direct sunlight. Hedge banks, overgrown scrub and light woodland are favoured sites. The picture comes from the Gargano peninsula and date from the first week of April. This is a relatively late date for this early flowering species which is at its best in March.
O. lojaconoi is rare and has a limited range on the eastern coast of Italy from the Gargano peninsula and southwards along the Adriatic coast as far as Brindisi. It is a highly distinctive Ophrys, not easily confused with other members of the genus and not least because of its colourful and often extravagant labellum. As has already been mentioned, current thinking does not link these two species but the specular pattern is often strongly reminiscent of O. iricolor.
The key identifying characteristics of this species are the prominent basal ridges below the stigmatic cavity. The lip is not divided and the speculum therefore appears entire, generally bluish and usually with a relatively complicated and variable pattern. The lateral lobes often but by no means always tend to project laterally from the median lobe, thereby forming a wide sinus area.
O. lojaconoi will happily grow in an open position but seems to prefer a situation offering some shade from direct sunlight. Hedge banks, overgrown scrub and light woodland are favoured sites. The picture comes from the Gargano peninsula and date from the first week of April. This is a relatively late date for this early flowering species which is at its best in March.
