This handsome orchid was first described from Austria in 1837 and is named after A. von Spitzel a Bavarian botanist of the early 19th century.
It is a rare and local species with a disjunct distribution from Sweden in the north to Algeria in the south. O. spitzelii is a montane orchid which rarely grows below 1000 m but with the exception of the most northerly area's of its range where it may be found at sea level. Its worth mentioning that this Swedish population ( gotlandica ) has been the subject of study in recent years and there are, as yet unanswered questions over its native status in that country. It reaches Lebanon in the east where the species is represented by the variety asiatica.
It prefers a semi shaded position on calcareous soils but importantly, in a location that has a significant snow covering in winter. Its habitat requirements are remarkably similar to Cypripedium calceolus" and yet a recent Dutch study concluded that despite these similarities, they are never found growing together, even in those area's where they are both relatively common. In our limited experience it's true to say that whilst we have never found them close enough to be photographed in the same frame, we have certainly noted both species growing within yards of each other ?
O. spitzelii is an enthusiastic hybridizer, particularly with other members of the O. mascula group and notably with O. mascula itself. The species is otherwise highly distinctive and not difficult to distinguish from its cousins.
The illustrations are all from the Vercors and date from late April to early May.
