This is a species which has been known for very nearly as long as its close cousin O. mascula, having first been
described in 1791. Despite the length of time it has been known to the orchid world, little is understood of its true
status or range. O. ovalis is a member of the 23 strong O. mascula group and its main range is central and eastern
Europe. It does however have some remote outstations, far from its base territory and amongst these is the Vercors
in the west and the Balkans in the east.
Interestingly at the periphery of its range it seems to aquire characteristics that genetically liken it in some respects to the O. mascula group member with which it most frequently comes into contact. Consequently in the Vercors O.
ovalis shows a genetic shift towards O. mascula itself, whereas in the Balkans it tends towards O. pinetorum. These shifts do not seem to be the result of hybridisation, nor do they affect the overall appearance of the plant and may therefore be a form of climatic integration ?
This Orchis is fairly easy to recognize particularly when growing with O. mascula. It presents a very unkempt
and tattered appearance somewhat reminiscent of a stocky ragged robin and this is due to the long, tapering sepals
and frayed lip. In its home range it can be abundant, much as O. mascula is here in the UK, it is however a fairly rare orchid in western Europe and the low mountains and foothills of the Vercors present the best chance of finding it this side of Austria. It does however have small populations in Spain and Italy.
The pictures here were taken in the Vercors in the last week of May and Tuscany in the first week of May. Photo 4 is
a dubious example but was growing with the typical O. ovalis and may indeed be of hybrid origin ?
.