SITF Blog

Ophrys-sphegodes-subsp-aesculapii-Yellow-Petticoats-CHM/AOS-2023-05-03 *SITF confirms this plant as Ophrys sphegodes subsp. aesculapii (May 2023).

Ophrys sphegodes and Ophrys aesculapii were considered separate species in the 2006 Pierre Delforge's "Orchids of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East". The photo of O. aesculapii is a close match to this plant; however, Kew now considers aesculapii a valid subsp. of O. sphegodes. The genetics in this group are unclear, but most taxons appear genetically to be subspecies. Flower size and available images of O. sphegodes subsp. aesculapii closely match this plant. The mask pattern on the lip appears somewhat variable.

Posted on May 3, 2023

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Ophrys-reinholdii-2020-03-22***Confirmed as Ophrys reinholdii (Jun 2020); based in part on the floral bracts being longer than the ovaries as detailed in Williams 1978 Orchids of Britain & Europe; photo also a good match to photo in the Williams text; this species is widespread and very variable in color and form.***

Posted on Mar 22, 2020

Four flowers and one bud on a 25.3-cm inflorescence; sepals rose pink, darker centrally, veined green; petals olive green; lip pubescent, trilobed, side lobes brown, mid-lobe black, brown band distall...

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