Orchis italica  

Italian man orchid

Photographed Crete 9 April 1999

 Negative number 99FA29

This is a robust orchid with a height in the range 8 to 30 inches ( 20 - 75 cm). The leaves of this Orchis usually have crinkly (undulate) edges, which is a distinguishing feature when the plants are not in flower. The labellum is deeply tri-lobed and 12 - 25 mm long. It is widely distributed in the Mediterranean area and can be present in large numbers.