O. speculum is one of the Mediterranean's most widespread Ophrys occuring throughout the region
but in varying degrees of abundance. It is considered an extreme rarity in France and
northern Italy and is probably at its most common in southern continental Greece, the Aegean
Islands and Sicily where although sporadic, can occur in huge colonies.
Its a small but distinctive orchid that cannot readily be confused with any other Ophrys apart
from its close relatives O. regis-fernandii and O. vernixia with which there are some small
overlaps in range. In the Aegean it is present on Lesbos whereas on Chios and Samos it is replaced
by O. regis-fernandii. Rhodes maintains populations of both and hybrids are known to occur.
We have said that O. speculum is not easily confused with other Ophrys but it does however share
the genus proclivity to hybridize at every opportunity. The results of such gene sharing can often
result in large swarms of hybrid orchids growing well away from the parent species. The offspring
can often be quite stunning and this page shows a small selection of these plants found on the island of
Sicily. Photo's 1 to 6 depict O. speculum x passionis v garganica. Numbers 7 & 8 are O. speculum
x bertolonii and numbers 9 & 10 O. speculum x incubacea.
These hybrids may be found throughout the range of the main species and in varying types of habitat from open grassland to garigue and light woodland though always on alkaline substrates
and most frequently where O. speculum occurs in large numbers in tightly packed colonies.
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