One of a number of segregates of the Ophrys omegaifera group: this group occurs across the Mediterranean region. O. israelitica is the segregate found in the eastern Mediterranean region - mainland Greece, Crete, Rhodes, Turkey, Cyprus, Lebanon.
The members of the Ophrys omegaifera group are similar to Ophrys fusca and Ophrys iricolor, but with a speculum which is demarcated from the rest of the labellum by an omega-shaped (ie w-shaped) pale, narrow band. In scrub, maquis, garigue, open pine woods.
Photographs: Cyprus 2004.
© Paul Hackney.
Click photographs for larger image.