Ophrys arachnitiformis, Gren. & Philippe, 1860

D. M. Moore (ed.), 1980, CCIII Orchidaceae, Flora Europaea, Vol 5: Alismataceae to Orchidaceae, Camebridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 325-350 : 349

17. O. arachnitiformis Gren. & Philippe ,

Mém. Soc. Émul. Doubs ser. 3, 4: 399 (1859).

Plant 15^40 cm. Basal leaves ovate-lanceolate, obtuse, the cauline bract-like. Spike 2- to 9- flowered, lax. Perianth-segments usually pink, rarely purplish- violet, whitish or pale greenish; lateral outer perianth-segments c. 10 mm, oblong-ovate, obtuse, the median outer oblong-elliptical or -lanceolate; inner perianth-segments 6-7 mm, oblong-, tri­ angular- or linear-lanceolate, more intensely coloured than the outer, glabrous, papillose or densely hairy. Labellum 8-10 mm, suborbicular, obovate or somewhat square, subentire, rarely indistinctly 3-lobed, velutinous, with broadly conical, short, inconspicuous basal protuberances, sometimes with a narrow, yellow, glabrous marginal zone, usually with a small appendage; speculum annular or square, usually H-shaped, blue or dark purplish, with whitish or yellow margin. Connective acute. 2/2 = 36, 38.

W. Mediterranean region. Ga Hs It Sa Si.

Very variable; probably a hybrid between 6 and 16.