Limits of distribution are unclear, but plants apparently referable to this species occur in Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica. The Corsican and Sardinian plants are referable to O. panormitana subsp. praecox
Reaching around 30 cm. in height. Sepals and petals pale with a prominent green vein; lip entire or 3-lobed, hairy, brownish with a shiny blue (or red) H-shaped speculum which has a narrow pale border. Scrub, garigue, maquis, grasslands.
Photographs (subsp. praecox): NW Sardinia, Italy, 2005.
© Paul Hackney.
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