Orchis quadripunctata - Four-spotted Orchid

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

Description

Orchis quadripunctata grows to 40cm in height and has 2-6 basal leaves which can be spotted or unmarked. There are futher small leaves clasping the stem higher up. The stem is washed dark red towards the tip. The inflorescence carries between 8-35 flowers which can be either pink-purple or white. The upper petals form a small hood over the lip of the flower. The lip is deeply three-lobed and is marked with dark red spots in the centre, which despite the name of the orchid, can number fewer or more than four. At the rear of the flower is a spur measuring up to 14mm in length which points downwards; it is narrow and somewhat sinuous. In a good location this orchid carpets the ground.

Distribution

The Four-spotted Orchid can be found in Crete, Italy and the central and eastern Mediterranean region.

Habitat

THis orchiod grows in both full sun and lightly shaded habitats, most often on chalk grassland, garrigue or open woodland.

Flowering times

March and April

Above: white form of Orchis quadripunctata (picture: Anne Horsfall)

The specimens shown on this page were photographed in the Gargano Peninsula area of Italy, and we have also seen and photographed them in Crete.

Etymology

The genus name Orchis means 'testacles', a reference to the twin tubers of orchids in this genus. The specific epithet quadripunctata refers to four spots on the lip of this orchid (although the flowers sometimes have either more or fewer than four!).

Reference sources

The Plant List

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

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