Flora-Fauna

Anacamptis coriophora subsp. fragrans (Pollini) R.M.Bateman, Pridgeon & M.W.Chase

(Field-guide synthesis: First-Nature; Cretan- and Cypriot-flora portals, 2025)

• Life-form & habit : Slender, tuberous terrestrial orchid, typically 15 – 30 (– 40) cm tall; single unbranched green scape rises from a pair of ovoid tubers. The flowers give off a sweet honey/vanilla scent, in contrast to the unpleasant “bug” odour of the nominal subspecies. 

• Leaves : 4 – 7 basal blades forming a loose, indistinct rosette; blades narrowly linear-lanceolate, unspotted, up to 8 cm long; 1 – 2 smaller sheathing leaves clasp the lower stem. 

• Inflorescence : Compact, ovoid-to-cylindrical spike 3 – 6 cm long, bearing 20 – 50 densely packed flowers on sub-equal pedicels 15 – 20 mm. Bracts green, lanceolate, a little shorter than the flowers. 

• Flowers (perianth & lip) : Tepals form a pink-to-whitish helmet; sepals and petals 5 mm, externally tinged green-brown. Lip (labellum) three-lobed, spotted deep rose, the central lobe slightly longer; spur short, up-curved. Overall flower length c. 7 mm. Honey-like fragrance perceptible in calm weather. 

• Reproductive organs : Column with two yellow pollinia carried away by solitary bees and small moths; fruit a narrow, erect capsule releasing dust-like seeds in summer. 

• Flowering period : March – May in lowland garrigue (Crete, Cyprus); up to June–July in montane meadows above 800 m. 

• Habitat & elevation : Dry, calcareous grassland, dune slacks, open pine–oak woodland and phrygana; recorded from sea-level to about 1 500 m (most often below 800 m). 

• Native range : Eastern and central Mediterranean—from southern France, Italy and the Balearics through the Balkans, Greece (incl. Crete & Rhodes), Malta, Cyprus and western Turkey to the Levant and western Iran. In the Levant it occurs locally on Mount Hermon and the Mount Lebanon mid-belt; misidentifications with A. coriophora s.str. are common.