Ophrys speculum Link
A herbaceous perennial. Leaves mainly in a basal rosette, oblong, and with a few lanceolate stem-leaves. Stems from 10 to 30 cm tall. Inflorescence in a lax spike of from 3 to 10 flowers. Floral bracts 2.5 to 3.5 cm long. Sepals about 1 cm long, greenish with purplish-brown stripes. Petals about 5 mm long, purplish. Lip 1 to 1.5 cm long, 3-lobed; margin shaggy-haired, purple brown to reddish-brown. Middle lobe of lip with bright metallic blue central patch which has a narrow yellow margin.
The Ophrys orchids are also called insect orchids because they achieve pollination by mimicking the female of a species of insect in shape, colour, texture and scent. This attracts the male insect which will be so tricked that it will attempt to mate with the flower. When it flies off it will carry the plant’s pollen to another. So specialised is this method that each species of Ophrys depends on a particular species of insect for its pollination.
Local: Locally very rare. Mainly found on the Lower Slopes.
Global: Found in the Mediterranean region and southern Portugal.
Flowers from March to April.
Grows in clearings and waysides.