Ophrys fusca

Dull orchid

Photographed Crete, 16 April 1998

Negative number 98H9A

Ophrys fusca is VERY variable, it has been split into many 'species', some of these differ only in the size of the labellum. The photograph on the left shows an attractive form, some can be more or less brown all over, and not so appealing. The height of this orchid varies from 4 to 15 inches (10 - 35 cm). Pierre Delforge lists the labellum as being 15 - 22 mm long and 11 - 17 mm wide. It is widely distributed in the Mediterranean area.