This is a rare orchid which takes its name from the plain of Mesara in southern Crete from where
it was first described in 1990.
It is one of 5 members of the O. iricolor group and has a disjunctive range in southern Crete,
Malta and on Lesbos. It's full distribution is not fully known but it would seem likely that it will
occur on other islands in the southern Aegean basin. It is however a rare orchid and this together with its early flowering means that it is potentially an overlooked species in these area's.
The species common name is the Cretan Blue Orchid but this is perhaps somewhat complimentary to
an orchid that although with a pleasing architectural form, is in fact a rather dull flower. The speculum is a dullish grey, often marbled with black or dark brown and quite unlike the sometimes
exravagent colouration and markings of O. iricolor .
Although the range of O. mesaritica overlaps with this latter species, they are unlikely to be confused due to the formers very early appearance (from December to March). Previously this
species was regarded as purely an early flowering O. iricolor and there are those that still hold to this view. Speaking however from an admitedly unscientific point of view, this Ophrys has a very different morphology and is unlikely to be so related.
Another important distinguishing feature between the two species (if one is needed) is the colour of
the underside of the lip which is always pale purple in O. iricolor and variable in O. mesaritica.
.