Ophrys speculum
Ophrys bẻcasse
Mirror Orchid
Additional information
| Plant family | |
|---|---|
| Area | Littoral |
| Flower colour | purple |
| Flower size | lip 10-13 mm |
| Flowering months | March, April, May |
| Leaf type | Lanceolate, Elliptic |
| Height | to 25 cm |
Description
‘Speculum’ is the Latin word for mirror. This orchid has the largest and most conspicuous mirror, easily identifying it from other bee orchids. A tuberous perennial having enlarged underground structures for storage of nutrients.
Flowers
The flowers are arranged in a spike of 2-10 flowers. The sepals, oblong to oval, are green, often with a brown vertical stripe. The petals are dark purple, lance-shaped and hairy, one third the length of the sepals. The lip has 3 lobes with a large, shiny metallic speculum, outlined in yellow and with a fringe of reddish-brown hairs.
Leaves
Elliptic oval leaf, Lanceolate leaf is lance-shaped: long and widest in the middle. Basal leaves are oval to long, wider in the middle, but blunt; stem leaves are narrower and more pointed.
Fruits Seeds
Capsule: numerous seeds.
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