The O. papilionacea group is a small and highly distinct collection of orchids that cannot be easily mistaken for
any other. It consists of just three species, O. papilionacea itself O. cyrenica and O. collina, but although they
share a family resemblance and configuration, they cannot be easily be confused with one another.
O. collina means hilly and we can only assume that when it was first described by Banks and Solander from Syria
in 1798, it was found in this type of terrain. This species can be found at altitudes up to 1300m but more generally
at lower levels and in many types of habitat though always on alkaline substrates and usually in full sun.
It is a very widespread orchid with a range from the Iberian peninsula to the Caucasus but can only really be described as common in Crete, Cyprus and perhaps Malta. There are notable gaps in its distribution, particularly in
the Aegean where its presence on one island yet not on the neighbouring island is puzzling.
It has been known for many years that the species has two consecutive but nonetheless distinct flowering periods,
the first as early as December and a second which takes it into April. Whether this indicates the existence of two
different species is a matter for further study but the prevailing view is that it almost certainly doesnt. O. collina is an unreliable flowerer and its appearance can be sporadic depending on the preceding winter and spring weather
conditions.
The species is remarkably unvarying apart from a rare semi hypochromatic (yet stable) form that has been named as
f leuoglossa. The illustrations are all from Lesbos and date from the first week of April.
.