Ophrys cretica/Ophrys kotschyi subsp. cretica - Cretan Bee Orchid - (Orchidaceae)

There are a number of sub-species of Ophrys cretica which occur on Crete - and some of the other islands close by, which causes a huge amount of confusion with accurate identification.

Cretan Ophrys

Picture by kind permission of Anne Horsfall

This orchid flowers from mid-March to the end of April and can be found in full sun or light shade on abandoned farmland, poor grassland and scrub up to around 500m above sea level.

A close-up picture of Ophrys cretica