Ophrys dyris/ Ophrys omegaifera ssp. dyris/ Ophrys fusca ssp. dyris - (Orchidaceae)

Ophrys dyris

This orchid is grouped with other species in the Ophrys omegaifera group, but is still regarded by some as a subspecies of Ophrys fusca. The point is that there are vast numbers of ophrys species that occur throughout the Mediterranean that all look remarkably similar. This makes the life of the amateur (and professional!) botanist difficult and frustrating, especially if you want to feel certain that you have identified the flower correctly. If you happen to find this kind of orchid in the Algarve in Portugal, the chances are that you have found Ophrys dyris.

This orchid has a lip that rather resembles a boxing glove - it is curved both laterally and longitudinally and is coated (except for the speculum) with dense greyish hairs. It flowers from February until the end of April and grows in alkaline substrates. You can find it in the garrigue, in open woodland and in scrub.

Pictures by kind permission of Rob Petley-Jones

The lip of the flower has a shiny, hairless omega-shaped speculum (mirror). The colour of this speculum is extremely variable which makes identification even more difficult. Another clue are the rather short, rust-coloured sepals - in other similar species these are much longer.

The specimen show above was photographed in the Algarve in Portugal in mid April.