Ophrys phaidra

Appearance

It can be mistaken for the widespread O. creberrima but differs from this species primarily by the deeper and longer central groove separating the lip, which also tends to be flatter and less recurved at the margins. Importantly it is a later flowerer and although the two species may be found growing concurrently, O.phaidra will be at its best when the flowers of O. creberrima are fading.

Naming

This species was first described by Paulus in 2007 from the Spili valley in Crete and its name derives from the mythological Cretan Princess, Phaedra. The discovery and formal recognition of O. phaidra was the result of a study of the island's late flowering O. fusca group populations.