Ophrys sphegodesMill. subsp. mammosa (Desf.) Soó ex E.Nelson (= Ophyrs transhyrcana subsp. paphlagonica) - Early Spider Orchid
Scientific Description:
Plants 15–60 cm, with 3–6 oblong-lanceolate basal leaves. Spike lax, 2–9-flowered. Flowers large, horizontally spreading. Sepals dull olive-green, ± tinged purple, to 16(–19) mm; dorsal oblong-lanceolate, margins ± revolute, erect or slightly spreading; laterals ovate-lanceolate, spreading. Petals dull green, ± tinged purple, lanceolate, to 10 mm, minutely hairy above, rarely subglabrous. Labellum entire, sometimes with small lateral incisions, ± strongly arched, to 16 mm, without bosses, sometimes with indistinct swellings near base, mucronate at apex, dark purplish-brown to blackish-purple velvety; speculum H-shaped, with or without cross-line, dull bluish-violet, ± whitish-bordered. Column with subulate 2–3.5(–4) mm straight or (especially in herbarium specimens) slightly upwards-curved connective. Stigmatic cavity low.
Flowering time: April–May.
Habitat: Macchie, phrygana, grassy places in Quercus L. scrub, coniferous and deciduous forest, s.l. –950 m.
Reference:
Renz J & Taubenheim G (1984). Ophyrs transhyrcana Czernjak., In: Davis PH (ed.), Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands, Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 8: 484–485.
Public Description:
Ophrys sphegodes subsp. mammosa, commonly known as “early spider orchid”, is native to Balkans, Greece, Türkiye and Cyprus. It is a robust tuberous perennial plant growing up to 70 cm in height with dark brownish-red flowers. Early spider orchid grows open woodland, short-sward grassland and scrub. It blooms from mid-March to the beginning of May.
References:
Anonymous 1 (2017). http://www.first-nature.com/flowers/ophrys-mammosa.php, Accessed date: 10.05.2017.
Deniz İG (2012). Ophrys L., In: Güner, A., Aslan, S., Ekim, T., Vural, M. & Babaç, M.T. (eds.), Türkiye Bitkileri Listesi (Damarlı Bitkiler). Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanik Bahçesi ve Flora Araştırmaları Derneği Yayını. İstanbul, pp. 638–645.