This species was first described from France in 1753 and until recently was placed in a genus of its own - "Acerus".
The primary reason for its isolation was its lack of a spur but subsequent molecular studies reveal that it is indeed
an "Orchis" and further, that it is very closely related to "simia". The frequency of hybridization with "simia"
and "militaris" had already been noted and so the studies results didn't really come as a great surprise. Consequently "man orchid" as it has always been known was reclassified into the 11 strong "militaris" group.
"Anthropophora" has a widespread range from Britain and northern France, through Germany in the north and north
Africa in the south to Syria. It can be rare in some parts of this range but it is generally common without ever
being abundant. As well as having a large range, it is also relatively unfussy about habitat and will grow in full sun
or surprisingly deep shade, though always on calcareous soils. Photo's 4, 8 and 12 are from a very shaded forest on Mount Hymettus, Greece.
This "Orchis" is unlikely to be confused with any other but as has already been mentioned, it readily hybridizes
and can throw up some interesting progeny. ( A separate page has been devoted to these plants. )
The remaining photo's are from Gargano ( Italy) and Crete, with the exception of No 7 which is a UK example from Surrey. The last photo is from Gargano and depicts a very tall plant with a much elongated inflorescence which is not uncommon in that area and which some local experts believe to be of at least subspecies status.
Continental plants generally flower through April whereas in Britain and nothern Europe, May is more usual.
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