Ophrys × sommieri is a natural orchid hybrid, a cross between Ophrys bombyliflora and Ophrys tenthredinifera sensu lato. It can potentially occur anywhere around the Mediterranean Basin where both its parents co-occur, but it is recorded particularly often in Sardinia and southern Italy.
Like its parent O. bombyliflora, it has the capacity to reproduce vegetatively, resulting in conspicuous clumps.
Similar species: Agaves, Aloes, Onions
By Thibaud Aronson
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Uploaded May 6, 2024. Captured Apr 2, 2023 18:54 in Smirnis 115, Spili 740 53, Greece.
comments (5)
Many such combinations where both parents are clearly identifiable are officially named, with a characteristic x before the epithet to tell them apart from true species. Ferdy, how do you feel about this, should I create a "species" for this, or leave the photo as unidentified? Posted one year ago, modified one year ago
My only objection to species creations for hybrids is in cases where it is "abused" or just not that relevant for JungleDragon. An (extreme) example would be documenting hundreds of (cultivated) hybrids of a rose species. This would create a huge amount of manual work, is not in the spirit of JD (which allows for urbanized observations but prefers wildlife) and it would somewhat unfairly boost statistics like species intros.
Such abuse doesn't really happen though, but that's my thinking. Your example is fine though, and is most welcome. Posted one year ago, modified one year ago