Family |
Orchidaceae
Anacamptis papilionacea subsp. palaestina
(H.Baumann & R.Lorenz) H.Kretzschmar, Eccarius & H.Dietr.
Anacamptis papilionacea subsp. palaestina (H.Baumann & R.Lorenz) H.Kretzschmar, Eccarius & H.Dietr.
(Kretzschmar, Eccarius & Dietrich, The Orchid Genera Anacamptis, Orchis & Neotinea, 2 ed.: 170; 2007) - Plants of the World Online
Life-form & habit : Tuberous perennial orchid, typically 15 – 35 cm tall; unbranched green scape rises from a pair of ovoid tubers. Plants are usually scentless or very faintly sweet-fragrant.
Leaves : 4 – 7 narrowly lanceolate, unspotted basal leaves (6 – 12 cm × 0.5 – 1.5 cm); 1–2 smaller, sheathing leaves embrace the stem.
Inflorescence : Dense ovoid-to-cylindrical spike 3 – 7 cm long bearing 15 – 40 flowers; bracts green, lanceolate, equalling or slightly exceeding the ovary. Pedicels subequal, 5 – 10 mm. Taylor & Francis Online
Flowers :
Helmet (sepals + petals) pale rose to pink-lilac, conspicuously green-veined.
Labellum (lip) three-lobed, 6 – 8 mm, pale pink to almost white and always immaculate (spot-free) in the central field—a constant character distinguishing this subspecies from all other A. papilionacea taxa.
Spur straight to slightly up-curved, 4 – 6 mm, shorter than the ovary.Reproductive organs : Column bears two yellow pollinia; pollination chiefly by solitary bees. Fruit a slender, erect capsule that releases dust-like seeds in early summer.
Flowering period : March – May at low elevations; up to June in montane turf above c. 1 200 m.
Habitat & elevation : Dry to mesic calcareous grassland, phrygana, open maquis and light pine–oak woodland; prefers thin rendzina or terra-rossa soils that remain moist in winter but dry out in summer. Recorded from sea-level to ≈ 1 300 m.
Native range : Eastern Mediterranean endemic—southern Turkey, Cyprus, coastal & montane Palestine/Israel, Lebanon and western Syria.
Diagnostic note. Subsp. palaestina differs from the nominal subsp. papilionacea by its smaller stature, paler flowers, and the completely unspotted labellum, while subsp. messenica, expansa and grandiflora each show a variably spotted lip and larger, more intensely coloured flowers.