This is one of the Eastern Mediterranean's commoner Ophrys occuring in an almost unbroken distribution from the former Yugoslavia, through Greece and to Israel in the East. It was first described by Desfontaines from Samos in 1807 and its name refers to the basal swellings - literally
meaning "full breasted".
The O. mammosa group contains several sub species whose range overlap and with which it may easily be confused. The illustrations are all of plants from the Peleponnese and although they are almost certainly pure type, some demonstrate a close affinity to the very similar O. leucophthalma, particularly in the extremely pronounced, hairless basal swellings. This latter species is mainly confined to the northern half of Greece although it is now thought to be present in small numbers on Chios in the Aegean.
Some of the subspecies (O. alasatica, O. herae and O. morio) occur commonly in close proximity to each other on Cyprus and identification there can be a true test of enthusiasm and stamina ! O. mammosa can be found in several types of habitat from full sun to dappled shade, though it always seems to favour a "sheltered" position whether in the lea of a wall or rock, or more usually in light scrub and open woodland.
This is a robust and handsome orchid which may be as tall as 70cm and contain as many as 15 flowers in
a spike. These pictures date from the first week of April.
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