O. taigetica was first described from Sparta (Greece) by Presser and Hertel in 2010.

The range of this species is centered on the Taygetus mountains of the southern Peloponnese but is also known from a small number of other sites, primarily on high ground above 750 metres. It is possibly an under recorded species due to its similarity to O. aesculapii.

The photo opposite comes from a location east of the mountains and at a lower altitude, in the vicinity of Koumousta Laconia. Although it exhibits features of O. taigetica, its appearance is not typical. Characteristics such as the rudimentary basal swellings, lip colour and orange lower lip margin may all be found as single features in individual flowers it would however be rare to find them all in such a combination. Its identity is therefore something of a mystery.

The photo to the left has been kindly donated by Helmut Presser, depicting a plant from one of its known sites and provides a view of a typical specimen. O. taigetica is an orchid of sparse forest and flowers relatively late from the beginning of May.