This Orchis was first described by Baumann and Baumann from Lydia, Anatolia in 1991 and was named
in honour of the contemporary botanist, E. Sezik. The exact status of O. sezikiana is a matter of considerable professional debate amongst botanists although what does not seem to be disputed amongst these authorities is that this is a heterogeneous taxon created as a result of hybridization between O. quadripunctata and O. anatolica, O. sitiaca or O. troodi.
The question at issue centres on whether or not these hybrids have sufficiently stabilized to be regarded
as a species in their own right. The prevailing view seems to be that where O. sezikiana occurs, its parents
are generally in close enough proximity to discount the possibility of the hybrid being seen as leading a truly independent existence.
As has already been mentioned O. sezikiana is a heterogeneous taxon where the presence of the four gene
donors dictates the plants distribution. Its range is centred on Crete, Cyprus and Anatolia where it may be found growing (unsurprisingly) in similar habitat and aspect to O. quadripunctata.
Given its hybrid background its appearance can be variable though it generally seems to possess more of
the characteristics of O. quadripunctata. The main differences are usually to be found on the labellum where the central lip will contain more and heavier spotting - it may also show some different coloured blotching. The spur can be both straighter and heavier. The photo's here all come from Cyprus where the plants are invariably white. A careful look at photo 8 reveals green lining on the lateral sepals and this clearly derives from its O. troodi ancestry.
