O. neglecta was first described by Parlatore from Rome as early as 1887 and its name infers a species that had been forgotten or overlooked.
It is immediately recognizable as a member of the O. tenthredinifera group and is indeed very similar to
that species. There are however two key differences which serve as easily discerned distinguishing
features and the first of these is the significantly smaller size of the flower in O. neglecta. The second
and more obvious difference is the prescence in O. neglecta of a prominent tuft of long and very course
hairs immediately above the appendage. This feature is clearly demonstrated in photograph four on this
page.
Confusion between the two species is however unlikely because, as far as is known there is no overlap of
range. The distribution of O. neglecta is confined to Corsica, Sardinia, central and southern Italy but
excluding Sicily where it is replaced by the larger flowered O. grandiflora. It may also be found (quite commonly) in southern Croatia and there are further reports of occurences along the Dalmatian coast,
where it's suspected that colonization is taking place via windborne seed from eastern peninsular Italy.
This species thrives in a number of differing habitat types, from alkaline to acidic, dry to wet and in full
sun or sometimes quite heavy shade. Unsurprisingly therefore it can be widespread and abundant within
the confines of its Italian and Adriatic range.
The photographs come from the Gargano peninsula, Calabria, Tuscany and the Cilento National park.
