This is a distinctive member of the six species Obaesa group whose name appropriately describes this
insignificant and anaemic looking orchid.
It was first described in 1810 from the Palermo region of Sicily and is one of the many species endemic
to that island. O. pallida is rightly regarded as a very rare Ophrys and is only found in any numbers
in a small area of the island centred on the beautiful Ficuzza Forest. Here it can be relatively easy to
locate, growing in association with other Sicillian specialities such as Dactylorhiza markusii.
Although as can be seen from the illustrations, it is a variable little orchid, it is impossible to mistake
O. pallida for any of the other resident Pseudophrys . The strongly convex centre and the recurved
tip combine to give the lip the appearance of a bent knee joint.
What this species lacks in beauty it makes up for in individuality and rarity. Its thought that the origins
of O. pallida are quite distinct from its fellow group members and may be very ancient - possibly
justifying a separate group status in its own right. Reports of hybridization are rare and populations
seem largely genetically pure.
All the illustrations are from the Ficuzza Forest to the south east of Palermo and were taken during the
the third week of April. The species has a relatively long flowering period and can be found from early
March through to mid May.
