Ophrys insectifera subsp. insectifera - x -Ophrys sphegodes subsp. araneola

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

Photograph courtesy Monica and Andrew Rowland

Both Ophrys insectifera and Ophrys sphegodes subsp. araneola grow in good numbers in parts of southern France and so hybridisation between the species occurs although they are not easy to spot.

Description

This orchid grows to between 10 and 30cm in height and each plant carries 4 to 7 large flowers. The sepals are bright green and the petals brownish-to-yellow. The lips of the flowers are velvety and dark brown with a smallish simple speculum more reminiscent of Ophrys insectifera than Ophrys sphegodes which can have complex 'mirrors'.

Distribution

Occurence of this hybrid seems to be centred in southern France in the region around Aveyron where hybrids between Ophrys insectifera subsp. aymoninii and Ophrys sphegodes subsp. araneola also occur.

Habitat

This orchid grows in calcareous soils and tolerates dry-to-moist conditions in open and sunny short grassland.

Flowering times

Late February to late April.

Varieties and Hybrids

This orchid is part of a group of many highly confusing plants with similar-looking flowers. See note above regarding distribution.

Reference sources

The World Flora Organisation (WFO) Plant List

Rolf Kuhn, Henrik AErenlund Pedersen & Philip Crib (2019) Field Guide to the Orchids of Europe and the Mediterranean; Kew