Mediterranean region and across the southern parts of Europe, reaching as far north as the south of England, the Low Countries and southern Germany.
A variable species with many subspecies and local variants. Frequent in scrub, maquis, garigue and grassy places.
Top 3 photographs: Gargano peninsula, E Italy, 2002.
© Paul Hackney.
Click photos for larger images.
Bottom photograph: subsp. apulica, Gargano peninsula, E Italy, 2002.
© Alan Hill.
A subspecies with large flowers and long inner perianth segments; endemic to Southern Italy.