Ophrys creticola

Ophrys creticola is a member of the Ophrys fusca group that is endemic to Crete. It is one of the earliest of the Cretan Pseudophrys to appear and can be found in flower as early as January. It can also claim however to have one of the longest flowering periods and it's quite possible to find this orchid still in good condition during early April. O. creticola is a large flowered species which could only be really confused with O. kedra, an orchid which in Crete is confined to the Spili plateau and which only starts blooming after O. creticola has completely faded. The later flowering O. cressa is morphologically similar but significantly smaller.