Flora-Fauna

Anacamptis sancta (L.) R.M.Bateman, Pridgeon & M.W.Chase

(basionym Orchis sancta L., Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 2: 1242; 1759 – accepted combination in Kretzschmar, Eccarius & Dietrich, The Orchid Genera Anacamptis, Orchis & Neotinea, 2nd ed.: 174; 2007)

• Life-form & habit : Tuberous perennial geophyte, usually 20 – 40 cm tall; single, unbranched green scape arises from two ovoid tubers. Plants are often partly desiccated at anthesis, with the basal leaves already withered. 

• Leaves : 4 – 7 narrowly lanceolate, unspotted basal blades (6 – 12 cm × 0.5 – 2 cm); 1 – 2 smaller sheathing leaves clasp the lower stem.

• Inflorescence : Dense, initially conical then ovoid-cylindrical spike 3 – 8 cm long bearing up to 30(–40)† flowers; green lanceolate bracts ± as long as the ovary. 

• Flowers :
  Tepal helmet pink-lilac to reddish, green-veined, 8 – 12 mm long.
  Labellum (lip) 3-lobed, 7 – 12 mm; side-lobes broad, slightly toothed; mid-lobe narrow, subacute; entirely unspotted, a point that separates A. sancta from the allied A. coriophora complex.
  Spur stout at base, down-curved, tapering, shorter than the ovary.
  Two erect longitudinal calli lie at the lip base flanking the spur entrance.

• Reproductive organs : Column bears two yellow pollinia transported mainly by solitary bees; fruit a narrow erect capsule that dehisces in early summer.

• Flowering period : Late April – June, locally into early July at higher sites. 

• Habitat & elevation : Dry, stony phrygana, calcareous grassland and open Pinus-oak maquis on well-drained soils, usually below 900 m (rarely to 1 100 m).

• Native range : Eastern Mediterranean rare-local species: SW & S Turkey, Cyprus, Aegean islands (e.g. Rhodes, Chíos), coastal Levant (Lebanon, Israel/Palestine, W Syria). In Lebanon it has been confirmed from the littoral limestone hills S of Ṣaydā (Stutz 3223-3224, NY) and several additional coastal-to-sub-montane stations south of Beirut (Mechref, Dmit, Chhîm, Barouk)