Although generally very rare, ophrys sphegodes can form colonies of thousands of plants, such as along the Dorset coast near Swanage.
Common name:
Early spider orchid
Family:
Scientific name:
Ophrys sphegodes
Main flower color:
Range:
Small areas in southern England, mostly coastal; eastwards from east Dorset
Height:
Up to 40 cm
Habitat:
Dry calcareous grassland
Flowers:
The three broad, yellow-green sepals are held at right angles, with the two narrower, similarly-coloured upper petals in between. The unlobed lip of the lower petal is brown to deep red, furry along the margins, with a silvery mark at the center, approximately H-shaped. The red fades to light brown as the flower ages
Leaves:
Pale yellow-green with darker green veins; at the base and sheathing the lower part of the stem
Season:
April to May
Rarity:
★★★★★
