Mediterranean Terrestrials - Ophrys

[Roberta]

Mediterranean-climate terrestrials are putting on a good show. The first ones to bloom are Ophrys - the bee orchids. (These are all from Mediterranean Europe/North Africa, but some such as Ophrys tenthredinifera also grow farther north, even into the UK)

Ophrys mammosa is one of the Ophrys sphegodes "complex" of closely related species. (Ophrys ariadne (cretica), which showed awhile back, is also in the same group) The taxonomy of some of these is pretty messy, partly driven by the fact that they occur over a wide range, and have variation within the species.

These orchids are perfect for the climate where I live. The weather pattern is characterized by warm/hot, dry summers (when these are completely dormant) and cool, wet winters when they grow and bloom.

[Dalachin]

Wow! So cool.