Ophrys speculum subsp. speculum - Mirror Orchid
Phylum: Magnoliophyta - Class: Liliopsida - Order: Orchidales - Family: Orchidaceae
The Mirror Orchid is widespread throughout the Mediterranean region but most common in the Iberian Peninsula - the Algarve in particular.
Description
The Mirror Orchid grows to around 25cm tall and each inflorescence carries between 2 - 8 large flowers. The plants often grow in groups. In bright sunshine the flowers are highly visible as the light reflects off the speculum in the centre of the lip - it is a bright iridescent purple/blue in colour and very glossy. The lip is three-lobed and bordered by a greenish-yellow border which is surrounded by a band of thick velvety hairs which are reddish-brown. The sepals and petals are green and marked with violet spots or stripes.
Distribution
Ophrys speculum is spread throughout the Mediterranean region, and is particularly prolific in the Algarve region of Portugal. It becomes more scarce in the east.The Mirror Orchid also occurs in Italy, where it is called Ophrys ciliata, and can be found on the Gargano Peninsula. Other countries in Europe where this orchid is known to occur include Spain, Cyprus and Greece. There are two interesting subspecies of the Mirror Orchid which occur in similar habitats and often flower at the same time - Ophrys Speculum subsp. lusitanica and Ophrys speculum subsp. regis-ferdidandii. The latter is endemic to islands in the Aegean.
Habitat
Mirror Orchids flower beside paths and roadsides, in stony and rocky places and also in short grassland on abandoned farmland.
Flowering times
It is often the first of the Ophrys species to appear (from February through to the end of April) although it is sometimes pipped to the post by Ophrys bombyliflora (the Bumblebee Orchid) or Ophrys lutea (the Yellow Bee Orchid) both of which are also very common in Mediterranean coastal habitats.
The specimens shown above were photographed in Portugal on the Algarve in mid March.
Etymology
The genus name Ophrys comes from Greek and means 'eyebrow' - a reference to the hairy fringe of the lip of the flower of many orchids in this genus. The specific epithet speculum means 'mirror', a reference to the light-reflective patch on the labellum..
Reference sources
The Plant List
Sue Parker (2023) Wild Orchids of the Algarve - where, when and how to find them; First Nature e-book (Amazon Kindle format)
Chris Thorogood and Simon Hiscock (2014) Field Guide to the Wildflowers of the Algarve; Kew Publishing
Henrik AErenlund Pedersen & Niels Faurholdt (2007) Ophrys - The Bee Orchids of Europe; Kew
Pierre Delforge (2005) Orchids of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East; A&C Black
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