Orchis anatolica - Anatolian Orchid - (Orchidaceae)

There are many visual similarities between populations of Orchis anatolica, Orchis quadripunctata and Orchis sitiaca, and recent molecular studies confirm the close relationship between these orchids.

Anatolian Orchid

The Anatolian Orchid occurs in various parts of the eastern Mediterranean including Crete, Rhodes, Karpathos, Kasos, Cyprus and mainland Greece, although there is much confusion surrounding the identification of the plants found in Crete.

Orchis anatolica

Orchis anatolica grows up to 40cm in height and has large flowers loosely arranged on a rather dark, reddish stem. It blooms from the end of February through to the beginning of April.

Orchis anatolica

Pictures by kind permission of Anne Horsfall

The pictures on this page were taken in Crete, and some show the rather rare white form of Orchid anatolica.