Ophrys araneola Rchb. in Iconogr. Bot. Pl. Crit. 9: 22; Fl. Germ. Excurs. 140(19). 1831
This is essentially a French orchid although it occurs sparingly in the neighboring countries of Spain and Italy and perhaps as far north as southern Germany. Ophrys araneola is one of eleven members of the Ophrys incubacea group which are spread fairly widely around the western Mediterranean reaching as far east as the former Yugoslavia.
It can be fairly common in its favored locations but is unaccountably absent from large, seemingly suitable areas. Distribution is however poorly understood and this is perhaps unsurprising given that its known range overlaps with several similar species. Not least of the species with which it may be confused is Ophrys sphegodes which occurs throughout its range and for which it can easily be mistaken, particularly where the plants are weaker than normal. Generally, Ophrys araneola is a smaller flower with a lip that appears disproportionate in scale to the stigmatic cavity and sepals. Despite the size of the flowers the plant itself can be relatively tall and sturdy, growing up to 45cm. with as many as 15 flowers.
A good area to seek this orchid out is the Vercors of southern France where it is at its most frequent and where it does not occur with many similar Ophrys. This therefore allows identification to be made with some confidence. The extremely similar Ophrys virescens can create identification difficulties but is only very occasionally found in the far south of the Vercors National Park.
