Anacamptis papilionacea - Pink Butterfly Orchid

Phylum: Magnoliophyta - Class: Liliopsida - Order: Orchidales - Family: Orchidaceae

There are several subspecies/varieties of this orchid and so accurate identification can be difficult. The pictures on this page were taken in Crete where both subspecies alibertis and heroica are known to occur in the same habitats of dry meadows and open woodland. They flower at different times, however, with heroica appearing much earlier - from the end of February to the beginning of April. ssp. alibertis blooms for a much shorter time, from the middle of April through to the middle of May.

Description

The Pink Butterfly Orchid plant is variable in size growing to between 15-40cm tall. It has 3-9 basal leaves and a further 2-5 smaller leaves clasping the upper stem. Each stem bears between 5-15 large pink flowers. The sepals and petals form a loose, darkly-veined hood over the broad fan-shaped lip of the flower.The lip is pale pink and has dark pink stripes emanating from the centre. The common name of Butterfly Orchid reflects the showy and colourful form of the flowers.

The flowers are most attractive with the sepals and petals being much darker than the lip, which is covered with darker streaks and dots.

Distribution

Anacamptis papilionacea is a Mediterranean species with a geographical range extending eastwards to the Caspian Sea, south to North Africa and north to the foothills of the Alps.

Habitat

Limestone habitats are the place to look for this orchid where it grows on scrubland and open grassy places.

Flowering times

This orchid flowers in April and May.

Both specimens on this page were photographed in Crete.

Etymology

The genus name Anacamptis comes from the Greek anakampto, meaning 'bent back'; it refers to the shape of the flower spur. The specific epithet papilionaceae comes from the Latin noun papilio meaning 'butterfly'; it is a reference to the form of the flowers of this beautiful wild orchid.

Reference sources

The Plant List

Sue Parker (2023) Wild Orchids of the Algarve - where, when and how to find them; First Nature e-book (Amazon Kindle format)

Chris Thorogood and Simon Hiscock (2014) Field Guide to the Wildflowers of the Algarve; Kew Publishing

Pierre Delforge (2005) Orchids of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East; A&C Black

Fielding, Turland and Mathew (2005) Flowers of Crete; Kew