Ophrys bertoloniiformis

Taxonomy

Phylum: Magnoliophyta

Class: Liliopsida

Order: Orchidales

Family: Orchidaceae

This ophrys species is endemic to the Gargano Peninsula where is actually more common than Ophrys bertononii which it so closely resembles (-formis meaning 'with the same shape'). The plant is robust in apperance and taller than Ophrys bertolonii. The sepals and petals are green or sometimes green tinged with brown.

Ophrys bertoloniiformis grows in sunny positions in short grassland, on roadside banks and in neglected olive groves, often with Ophrys bertolonii with which is thought to hybridise, although its flowering time can start up to 3 weeks earlier. It flowers from late March to the end of April

A closeup picture of Ophrys bertoloniiformis

The specimens on this page were photographed close to Monte Sant'Angelo in the Gargano Peninsula in Italy in mid April.