Ophrys tenthredinifera Willd.

Most of the Mediterranean, where it is fairly common in the western and central parts of the range, but its frequency decreases towards the east – for example, it is rare on several Aegean islands. In Cyprus, O. tenthredinifera is known from one locality only, and it has not been found in the Middle East. [Aeg, Alb, Bal, Cor, Cre, Fra, Gre, Ita, Mal, Por, Sar, Sic, Spa, Tur, Yug; Ana, Cyp, Mor, Tun]

Plant compact to slender, 10-30(-45) cm tall with (1-)2-10 flowers in a (relatively) dense spike. Sepals violet to white, (broadly) elliptic, 11-13 × 6.5-10 mm; dorsal sepal more or less boat-shaped, slightly incurved, from the base reflexed. Petals of the same colour as the sepals, (ovate-) triangular (often auriculate) with flat margins, 4-6 × 2.5-6 mm, velvety to shaggy, spreading. Lip with brown ground colour and a broad yellow (to light brown) margin, straight with recurved sides, entire, 9-16 × 10-20 mm, more or less hairy (especially along the margin) and with a particularly prominent tuft of hairs close to the apex; bulges weakly developed, distinctly isolated from the margin of the lip; apex emarginate, provided with a short erect, narrowly triangular point; mirror distinct, consisting of a simple and fairly small H- to horseshoe-shaped figure, the basal arms of which are connected to the base of the lip, dull greyish blue to greyish violet with a pale border. Column rounded, not tapering towards the base (in side view); stigmatic cavity at least as wide as long and approximately twice as wide as the anther, devoid of lateral, eye-like knobs at base.

Calcareous to slightly acid soil, in full sunlight or light shade from sea level to 1800 m altitude. Typical habitats include roadside verges, grassland, garrigue, open pine woods and old olive groves.