Ophrys speculum - Mirror Orchid - (Orchidaceae)

Of the many orchid species that occur in the Algarve region of Portugal, the Mirror Orchid is probably the one that most people want to see. Luckily it is not difficult to find if you are there at the right time.

Ophrys speculum - Mirror Orchid

From late February until May the Mirror Orchid flowers in profusion on maquis and garrigue habitats throughout the Mediterranean region, and is particularly prolific in the Algarve region of Portugal. It is very distinctive with its metallic-mauve speculum edged with yellow and fringed with brown hairs. The sepals have maroon veins.

Mirror Orchids flower beside paths and roadsides, in stony and rocky places and also in short grassland on abandoned farmland. It is often the first of the Ophrys species to appear 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 the Algarve. Coastal habitats, where it is most common, are the best place to look.

When in the Algarve it is worth looking out for the interesting subspecies, Ophrys Speculum ssp. lusitanica in the same places that Oprhys speculum occurs. This rather unattractive plant is much rarer than the Mirror Orchid and its main stronghold is centred in the Algarve region of the Iberian Peninsula. It is also sometimes referred to as Ophrys vernixia and occurs in the Extremadura region of Spain.

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.

The Mirror Orchid can grow up to 20cm in height and frequently occurs in dense colonies.

The specimen shown above was photographed in Portugal on the Algarve in mid March.

Watermarked preview (new window) of Photolibrary image OR159f_ophrys_speculum.jpg (Large file)...

Watermarked preview (new window) of Photolibrary image OR160f_ophrys_speculum.jpg (Large file)...