Sawfly Ophrys
Ophrys tenthredinifera is a small but vigorous plant with a height of 10 to 30 cm. The light green foliage leaves form a rosette. The lax inflorescence consists of 2 to 6 flowers. The sepals are spreaded and in most cases slightly directed backward. The triangular petals are much shorter. The labellum is rectangular to trapezoid with small protuberances at the base and a large appendage which is directed upwards.
Taxonomic discussion
The plant was first described by the German botanist Carl Ludwig von Willdenow (1765-1812) in his opus Species Plantarum exhibentes plantas rite cognitas ad genera relatas cum differentiis specificis, nominibus trivialibus, synonymis selectis, locis naturalibus secundum systema sexuale digestas (1805). The name refers to the pollinating sawflies (Tenthredinidae). The plants shown here belong to the var. neglecta which was also described as a special species Ophrys neglecta (by Filippo Parlatore in 1858).
White colour of flowers
Ophrys tenthredinifera is known for its intense flower colours. The sepals are pink to violet, the petals are mostly darker. The labellum has a dark brown to reddish brown centre surrounded by a yellowish brown zone. Plants with flowers who have no anthocyanine pigments are very rare. In those cases, the only remaining pigment is chlorophyll, granting the flowers a green colour. Roko Cicmir who has contributed the photos shown here wrote me: Among 1000 plants (in the Southern Croatian region of Konavle) I have found 2 hypochromatic plants and know them for several years now.
Habitat, bloom and distribution
Ophrys tenthredinifera is a typical ophrys of the Mediterranean which can be found in light woods or on uncultivated grasslands. Bloom is from February to April.