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.
O. speculum is 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.
As already mentioned this is a small orchid and despite its unquestionable beauty and showy
speculum, can be very easily overlooked in the field. It can grow to a height of 25cms but is more
usually no greater than 10cms with a spike of perhaps 3 flowers. The flowers however are relatively
large.
The plants illustrated are from Lesbos, Sicily and the Peloponnese and show little variation whereas
plants from southern Spain have a much broader yellow margin around the speculum. Variety
klosii from Greece has a blue and white mirror. Photo 13 depicts a semi hypochromatic plant.
It can be found in varying types of habitat from open grassland to garigue and light woodland though
always on alkaline substrates. Although not a rare orchid, its a gem and its discovery never fails
to brighten a day in the Med !
.