Orchis pauciflora 

Sparse flowered orchis

Photographed 10 April 1998  Crete  

Negative number 98C3

The height of this orchid is 4 to 12 inches (10 - 30 cm) and the labellum 9 - 15 mm long and 12 - 19 mm wide. The middle of the labellum can have a slightly green or orange appearance. It is found in the Eastern and Central Mediterranean region. The range is not well characterised due to confusion between it and Orchis provincialis. These orchids look very similar, but DNA testing has shown that they are not closely related. It is described as local and rare, although it can be present in good numbers at some sites.