O. virescens was first described from the Var (France) in 1859 and its name literally means "turning
green". In the past this species was referred to as O. araneola subsp virescens and there is little doubt
that in locations where the ranges of O. virescens and O. araneola overlap there can be difficulties in
distinguishing the two species.
O. virescens does however tend to be a less northerly plant and favours more Mediterranean area's and
most particularly in southern France and northern Spain though the true distributions of both Ophrys
are poorly known due to confusions between them. The extent of there respective ranges is not fully understood, its also the subject of considerable disagreement between the various authorities. It does
however seem fairly well established that there is an isolated outpost of the species at Mount Gargano.
O. virescens is a highly variable orchid but there are a few features which serve to distinguish it from O.
araneola and these are follows:- 1. O. virescens gets it name from the greener, leafier nature of the stem and rosette. 2. It is a more robust plant and the flowers themselves appear larger. 3. The flowers often
appear darker - sometimes black. This gives the overall plant a very distinctive appearance.
The first five photo's come from the Mount Gargano population and the remaining five are from Var in southern France. Picture 4 is thought to be a cross O. virescens x O. garganica.
They date from the first week of May and the last week of May respectively.
.