Seasonal Wild Flowers

Latin name

Ophrys sphegodes

Family

Orchidaceae

Flowering season

March to May

English distribution

It is found in the South and the Southeast - mainly in the

coastal counties.

For a map see the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland

– Early Spider-orchid

Habitat

It grows on short grassland on lime, in limestone quarries

and spoil-heaps.

It is rare in the UK and is a protected species.

Description

Early Spider-orchid is a native, tuberous, perennial herb

growing up to 20cm (usually less).

There are between 2 and 8 flowers on a flowering spike.

Each flower comprises 3 pale yellow-green sepals and 2

 yellow petals, which are shorter than the sepals.

The labellum is a convex, oblong oval. It has 3 lobes but

they are not always easy to distinguish. In the pictures

here there are hints of the 2 lateral lobes and their

basal swellings.

The large central lobe has a notch with a protuding tooth.

The labellum is brownish purple, rather velvetty and hairy

and has a metalic-blue, H-shaped speculum.

The large, flat, brown stigma is above the labellum and

has 2 shining 'eyes'.

The 2 male pollinia are above the stigma.

The leaves are lanceolate ovals and up to 10cm.

Upper leaves are yellow-green and narrow, and

lower leaves are more spreading and a darker green.